By FAITH MOLDAN - Bigfork Eagle

What Mandy Williams lacks in experience coaching high school basketball, she makes up for with her love of the game.

"The first thing I noticed was her serious passion for the game," Bigfork High School Activities Director Shannon Smith said of Williams, the newly hired freshman girls' basketball coach at BHS. "She's got a great college background and wants to work with the kids."

Williams, who will mark her second year of coaching high school basketball this upcoming season, has also coached AAU basketball and was a walk-on for the University of Kentucky women's basketball team.

"It's something I wanted to continue," Williams said of coaching and being involved in basketball. "I want to pass on what I learned."

Moving from Missoula, where she coached the Big Sky High School girls' freshman team last year, Williams said she liked the Bigfork area and decided to give the move to Bigfork a chance when she was offered the coaching position.

"She has the know-how and a bright future," Smith said. "She's willing to put in the hours."

Williams said she knew of the Valkyries' successful 2006-07 season and said she was eager to contribute to another successful season with head coach Nate Hammond and junior varsity coach Bill Epperly.

"My biggest expectation is that I can teach and help them become better," Williams said of the young Vals. "My first goal is to have a good time and have everyone stay healthy."

The Bigfork High School boys' and girls' basketball teams begin their seasons with practice November 19 and debut their teams November 30 at the annual Blue-White Scrimmage at the high school gym.

The scrimmage also includes a mandatory parent meeting for parents of all winter sports participants. The Vals kickoff the event with their scrimmage from 3:30-4:30 p.m.

While the girls play, the boys' parents are required to attend a 4 p.m. meeting with head coach Jim Epperly and then a 4:30 meeting with BHS Activities Director Shannon Smith. The girls' parents are also required to attend the 4:30 meeting, as well as a 5 p.m. meeting with Vals' head coach Nate Hammond.

The boys' teams finish the night on the hardwood, scrimmaging from 5-6 p.m.

Smith said the odd hours of the scrimmage and meetings was due to the fact that the high school is holding its winter formal that evening and therefore could not be scheduled later.

Any questions about the Blue-White Scrimmage and the mandatory parent meeting can be directed to Smith at the high school.