Storm before the calm

PABLO - The SKC mens and womens basketball teams know a thing or

two about travel. For the previous two weeks, both teams traveled

to places like Salt Lake City, Rangley, Co. and Rock Creek,

Wyo.

PABLO - The SKC mens and womens basketball teams know a thing or two about travel. For the previous two weeks, both teams traveled to places like Salt Lake City, Rangley, Co. and Rock Creek, Wyo.

"It's kind of like an NBA road trip," Bison head coach Zachary Conko-Camel said before his team embarked on the long journey.

Despite the road fatigue, his team showed they had plenty of spring in their step with victories over the University of Great Falls earlier in the month.

"They're coming around with their conditioning," Camel said. "It's starting to get there."

On Dec. 10, they outpaced the Argos 96-78 and 83-74 on Dec. 11 at home.

"We practice the same everyday, we don't slow down," SKC guard Marvin Lewis said after their second victory over Great Falls.

In those two games what was particularly impressive was how in control the Bison were for the speed they were going.

Lewis attributed that to the conditioning of the team.

"Players make mistakes when they're tired," he said.

When the team does get into a half-court offense, they can always go to post player Sonny Eppinette.

"Sonny is a veteran, he makes good decisions," Camel said. "I say when in doubt, throw it to Sonny."

With other players also lighting up the net, it seems the team has really found its stroke going into Christmas Break. The team has seen leaders step up as well.

"That's what we were told everyday," Eppinette said. "They need to see that leadership."

Even though Lewis was a transfer, he and Eppinette

were able to come together and provide that leadership out on the court.

"This was Sonny's team," Lewis said. "Sonny and I vocalized what we needed to do."

With the Lady Bison and Bison trekking for many miles, that kind of attitude was much needed.

"This is the first times we've had so many games in a row," head coach Juan Perez said.

While the teams have traveled these distances before, they haven't played as many games in one extended roadtrip.

Perez has certainly found a team leader, as Polson's Charla Brown averaged 18 points a game over the last six games for the Bison.

"She was doing a lot of the work," Perez said.

Alyssa Horn and Alison Grey Bull have also done well for the Lady Bison.

"They've had to step up in roles they weren't in at the beginning of the season and they've done well," Perez said.

Perez wants his team to be more aggressive and offensive minded in the second half of the season, and added that the team last year won 20 straight games after Christmas break.

"Historically, our season has picked up on the winning side," Perez said.