Bellevue Christian girls basketball coach Jade Hayes just couldn’t do it.

Even in the aftermath of her team’s bitterly disappointing season-ending loss to La Salle in the third-place game of the 1A girls state basketball tournament, Hayes could not bring herself to be upset.

Sure, there was the lingering frustration from coming up short of their ultimate goal of a 1A state title. But after the effort, determination and sheer grit she witnessed from her team over the course of the season, Hayes had to be pleased.

There were many superb moments of excellence during their run to the state playoffs including resounding victories over league foes Overlake (74-7), University Prep (42-12) and Forest Ridge (54-16) and a 20-point non-league victory over state playoff team King’s.

There was the perfect 14-0 Emerald City League record and outright league championship (regular season and tournament titles).

Then there was the moment that stood above all the rest.

Entering the 2010-2011 season, the Bellevue Christian girls had never defeated the Lyncs from powerhouse Lynden Christian in basketball.

The Lyncs are led by Curt DeHaan, who during the 2010-2011 season won his 700th game, which makes him the winningest girls basketball coach in the history of high school hoops in the state of Washington. Lynden Christian has made the state tournament in all but three times since 1978 and have nine state titles lining their trophy case.

So coming into their holiday tournament match-up with the Lyncs, Hayes knew her team had their work cut out for them. As the hosts, not only did the Lyncs have the confidence and pedigree, but a decisive home-court advantage.

“They’re good, they all grew up in the same program, they all shoot the ball the same way,” said Hayes of the Lyncs.

But her squad was unfazed.

Putting together perhaps their most complete performance of the season, the Vikings held the powerful Lynden Christian offense scoreless for the entire fourth quarter and earned a marquee victory, 35-28. “They [Lynden Christian] are one of those teams where it’s huge to beat them,” Hayes said.

“It was an all-around tremendous effort,” Hayes said. “All five starters came out with double-figures scoring and everybody stepped up.”

The win moved the Vikings into the title game of the tournament, where they would defeat Sehome to earn the championship, but it did far more than that.

Hayes had stressed the importance of developing a more steely mental approach; believing they can play with and beat any team they face. The win over the previously invincible Lyncs brought the message to the forefront.

After coasting through the rest of their conference schedule (including many games where Hayes was forced to play JV players to avoid running up the score) and league tournament, the Vikings took the second seed to state from the Northwest District, setting up a date with Rainier for a spot in Yakima’s Sun Dome for the round of eight.

Two victories later (over Rainier and Granger), the magic finally ran out in their semi-final loss to defending 1A champion (and eventual 2010-2011 champion) Freeman and again in the third-place game against La Salle.

But even those season-ending setbacks could not wear the luster from the Vikings’ incredible season.

With only three major contributors graduating, Hayes and the Vikings look poised to continue their dominance of the Emerald City League next season, though they will have to do so with a drastically modified approach on both ends of the floor.

Hayes said her team will be much smaller without the presence of 6’2 Maren Haines in the post and will rely on “playing scrappy”. The Vikings will also need increased productivity on the offense end from guards Alina Valle, Bree Oldham and Allison King.

But the BCS coach is confident that next year’s group can build on the milestones from 2010-2011 season with five seniors leading a group that now carries a confident swagger that matches their ability.