The first game of the Lake Washington girls basketball team was against Holy Names, the second place team in the state last year. It didn’t exactly make for a slow start to the season, but head coach Cory Shepard said he thought the girls played well.

The Lady Kangs, who are competing for the first time in recent years in the 3A conference, quickly noticed some difference in their opponents.

“The teams are much smaller,” said Shepard. “The girls are smaller, and we’re kind of a big team. There’s a lot of zone defense so it’s a little different and we’re doing some things to adjust.”

But just as in KingCo 4A the competition remains tough.

“The competition at the top level is pretty good,” said Shepard. Just like in 4A there isn’t going to be a night off for the Kangaroos. But luckily for the Kangs, they have the size to compete on the inside in Kat Whitfield, Whitney Dunlap and Hunter Hopkins.

“Our front line is pretty tough,” he said. “We have size on the inside and the kids work hard.”

Size is good, but Shepard said against some of the smaller, very fast teams, they will be challenged to stay on top of things.

“We lack a little quickness against the smaller, quick teams,” he said. But with the return of Cassie Lively he said the team should sit in a good position.

Shepard said he’s ready to see how the team stacks up against Mount Si, a team the Kangs lost to 53-40 last week, Mercer Island and another chance to play Juanita.

“Every night is going to be something good,” he said.

The Kangs made the playoff cut last season, losing out before the state tournament and they know this year in 3A is just as tough.

Shepard said team chemistry is going to be a key for them to win games, as it’s a mix of girls who haven’t necessarily logged a lot of playing time together.

“Some of the players are still learning how to play together,” said Shepard. “We need to shoot the ball better and if we can I think we will do pretty well.”

Shepard says his goal for the season is that the girls have fun, but can be competitive too.

“I want the girls to have fun and enjoy their high school basketball experience,” he said. “I want us to be in the mix and to make noise in the KingCo and Metro leagues.”

The Kangs will host Redmond in a non-conference match tonight at 7:30 p.m. before taking a break for the holidays. Games will resume with a league game at Liberty on Jan. 4 at 7:30 p.m.