EL, now BBC faithful, move it up a notch

BY KEVIN WOODRUFF

Wyoming County Press Examiner

Elk Lake graduates Karin Mowry and Kimberly Caines played varsity basketball together for the Warriors, and are taking that role to the next level playing on the Baptist Bible College team.

Mowry, of South Auburn, and Caines, of Springville, are both 2009 graduates of Elk Lake, and have reunited as teammates on the basketball court.

Mowry said that the two have been playing basketball together since fifth grade and have been friends since grade school.

"We've been teammates and friends for a long time," Mowry said. "Kim decided to come here (Baptist Bible) first, and I thought it would be a good school."

Mowry, who originally went to Baptist Bible to play softball, and Caines, who also runs cross country, said that they are both enjoying playing on the same team.

"We know how each other works on the court," Mowry said. "We played together in a game, and people commented that they could tell we'd been teammates before."

Mowry said that playing in NCAA Division III has been a lot different so far then playing in high school.

"College is a lot different, there is a lot more emphasis on how we play," Mowry said. "I love it. I wouldn't want to go back to high school."

Right now, Mowry is playing a supporting role, as is Caines, for the Defenders.

"My goals for this year are to better my skills and get some playing time," Mowry said. "And definitely be there to encourage the team."

Balancing college life and athletics was a bit of a challenge for Mowry at first, but she said she is now getting the hang of it.

Her favorite thing about playing in college is the diversity of teams the Defenders get to play.

"I really enjoy the diversity," Mowry said. "We get to play teams from all over."

Caines said that her experience so far with college athletics has been positive.

"It's been great," Caines said. "And a huge learning experience for me."

She said that the coaching and the attitude of the players is completely different.

"It's just a whole different feeling," Caines said.

Caines' decision to attend Baptist Bible came from the fact that her sister previously attended the school, and she liked to idea of it being close to home.

"It's pretty awesome here," Caines said.

She said that she is also enjoying having a friend and former teammate on her current team.

"We know how to encourage one another," Caines said. "And if something happens, we're there to comfort each other."

Caines has already completed one of her goals for her first season, and that was to simply make the cut for the team.

"I just wanted to make the team. I'm not one of the top players right now, but I just want to play as hard as  I can," Caines said.

Caines has learned a lot so far about time management, having been involved on an athletic team since coming to campus in the fall.

She went from one sport into the other after the cross country season ended.

"I'm managing my time better now," Caines said. "It was tough in the beginning, but not as tough as I thought it would be."

The Baptist Bible Defenders' next game is at home in Clarks Summit on Thursday, Dec. 10, against Lancaster Bible College, at 5 p.m.