YAKIMA – The Kingston High School girls basketball team is trying to balance the fun of a road trip with the hard work it takes to compete at the state level.

After narrowly escaping River Ridge in their tournament opener Wednesday, the Bucs spent most of Thursday preparing for their next game against undefeated Archbishop Murphy. The Wildcats have dominated their opponents this season, but the Bucs are staying positive prior to their next matchup.

“It’s no pressure on us,” said KHS head coach Kevin Strozier. “They’re 24-0, the pressure is on them.”

Strozier and the girls have split their time between light practices, watching other tournament games, resting and getting mentally prepared for the big games to come.

“I think we’re ready,” said KHS junior Laura Wicklein. “It was kind of a shock to us [last year]. This year, we’re a little more experienced and we know what to expect.”

Despite Murphy’s impressive record, Strozier said the competition at this year’s tournament is tight.

“You don’t have someone that just stands out,” he said. “This year, it’s more competitive. For me, being back here with these kids is fun in itself. Whatever happens, I’m still proud of these kids.”

The girls had a chance to explore a little bit of Yakima Thursday, as a practice schedule mix-up sent them to Yakima Valley Community College, then across town, before returning to the college for a late afternoon shoot-around.

Kingston will have extra support from the stands at Thursday’s game, as the Buccaneer cheerleading squad makes its way over the mountains to root for their team.

The Bucs’ biggest challenges Thursday will be nerves and defense, both of which were struggles in Wednesday’s opener. According to Wicklein, assistant coach Joyce Walker has a saying: “If you’re nervous, it means that you care.”

Still, the team is trying to balance concern for the game with proper rest and training, so they do not end up a bumbling tangle of nerves. According to Strozier, another team mantra is: “We respect all, we fear no one.”