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Vikings girls hoopsters thriving on the hardwood

Puyallup girls basketball squad is aiming to get back to the state tournament after falling in the district tourney one year ago

Shaun Scott

All of the pieces are in place for the Puyallup Vikings girls basketball team to make a return to the Class 4A girls basketball state tournament.

The Vikings didn’t advance to the state tournament for the first time in four years in 2009, falling in the district tournament.

Vikings longtime head coach Dan Picha doesn’t expect to see his team’s season end before they reach the Tacoma Dome this year.

“In three out of the last four years we’ve gone to the state tournament,” Picha said. “That’s always one of our goals to get there. We want to do what we have to in order to extend our season as far as we can.”

Thus far, the Vikings have put together an overall record of 4-1 in early-season play. The Viks are relying on an imposing front line of Justine Berry and Mandy Malkuch to gobble up points and rebounds in the paint.

“We played Graham-Kapowsin early this year and of our 37 rebounds we got Justine (Berry) and Mandy (Malkuch) combined for 35 of them,” Picha said. “We have a great inside presence and a nice perimeter game to complement them.”

Picha is impressed with his team’s sizzling start but knows there is more work to be done in order for the Viks to reach the promised land that is the state tournament. The Vikings have an experienced team, consisting of six seniors on the roster.

“We have a great group of girls from the top of the roster to the bottom,” Picha said. “It’s still early and other than our opener we haven’t gone up against the best competition as of yet. The most important thing is that we are playing well together and for each other. We’re going to improve as the season progresses. Our entire coaching staff is excited about the amount of talent level we have on the team this year.”

Reach Sports Editor Shaun Scott at 253-841-2481 ext. 316 or by e-mail at shaun.scott@puyallupherald.com.