Three points. That’s all they lacked, twice in a row.

In two near-miss defeats, the new Providence Classical Christian School girls basketball team came close to tasting victory again last week, but went down to Grace Academy (junior varsity), 34-31, on Monday and Lummi Nation, 36-33, Friday night.

The Providence girls led Lummi 19-14 at halftime, but fell victim to some excellent shooting by the Lady Blackhawks from the floor.

Except for one player, captain Reyna Lacalli, the Lady Highlanders could hardly be greener—as in inexperienced. With true grit, however, the six-girl team hangs together and plays with the classic Providence “heart” that took roughly the same group to the state playoffs in volleyball two years in a row.

“I like basketball because it’s more fast-paced,” said junior guard and former volleyball All-Star Lauren Haft.

“I am excited about this team,” said Athletic Director Nathan Morris. “What they lack in experience they make up with determination and an optimistic attitude. They have great potential, and I think that they can see it, too. Right now, we could use all the players we can get. If you can run, you can play. That is true with all of our sports at Providence.”

Therein lies the blessing — and challenges — of a very small school.