The Pendleton girls basketball team was dealt two big blows before they even had a chance to get in a full week of practice in preparation for the upcoming season.

First, standout senior Sam McCloud transfered to Franklin to join the Schimmel girls shortly after school started in the fall. Then, the player that would have taken her place in the starting lineup, senior Lyndsie Wynn, tore her ACL in one of the team’s first practices.

The loss of McCloud and graduated Alexis Doutre leaves the Buckaroos without their two top scorers from last season.

What’s left is a mixed group of returning starters and young unproven players that coach Ryan Sams said will face a stiff learning curve in their 10 preseason games.

Back is All-Intermountain Conference post Kristen VanCleave, point guard Makayla McKay, shooting guard Jessica Simpson and post Kelli Demianew. New to the varsity and stepping in to fill Wynn’s shoes is sophomore Jory Spencer.

“I?think it’s going to be a learning process at first because everybody’s in new roles,” Sams said. “Preseason is going to be up and down but hopefully by the time the season roles around we’ll be going full speed.”

The Buckaroos begin the preseason Tuesday by hosting La Grande at Warberg Court with a 7 p.m. varsity tip-off. Sams said the team shouldn’t see many really good teams until after Christmas, though, when they travel to South Albany for the Pink Ribbon Tournament. The Bucks will host their own Red Lion Classic Dec. 11-12.

As far as their own play on the court, Sams said he is looking for the action to start inside with VanCleave, who will face the brunt of the oppositions’ defense, and Demianew.

“We want to go inside out, establish the post,”?he said, adding the team will only go as far as their backcourt can take them though. “We’ll be as good as our guards play.”

Another big concern for Sams is a lack of proven depth. With just 15 girls coming out for the team this year, the Bucks have just seven regular varsity players and eight that will swing between junior varsity and varsity.

“I?think the first couple girls off the bench are going to be key,”?Sams said. “I?think we’ve got a decent starting group but we can’t play them all the time.”

First off the bench for the Bucks will be sophomore Courtney Sweek and freshman Brittany Gregerson.

The Bucks will begin league play Jan. 8 at Mountain View.