Eastview may have lost three talented guards to graduation last spring, but the Lightning don't appear to consider it a rebuilding year.  Paced by the long and athletic twin sister duo of Alex and Amanda Beckman, who are team captains along with Jenna Dockter, the Lightning cruised to a 55-41 victory over Orono in the Breakdown Sports Tip Off Classic at Hopkins.

"We lost a lot of good seniors last year, so we knew we had to come back scrappy and work for everything," said Alex, who led all scorers with 18 points, 13 in the first half as the Lightning opened up a 10-point lead, 28-18.

"Coach has been talking about how we have a lot of natural talent, athletic-wise," said Alex.  "So use it, your quickness on offense and defense and really play hard."

Eastview limited a talented Orono squad to just 41 points, using that same athleticism and quickness.  The Spartans had trouble getting into their set offense and when they did get off a shot, the Lightning gathered most defensive rebounds.

Amanda Beckman, Dockter and Hannah Shie each added eight points for Eastview.  Jena Chuba and Alicia Johnson scored 10 points each to pace Orono.

Alex Beckman, Eastview
Beckman, a 5-foot-11 senior guard -- just like her twin sister, Amanda -- was the top scorer for Eastview in its 55-41 victory over Orono, earning the Breakdown Sports Tip Off Classic player of the game honors.  She scored 18 points with an aggressive offensive game.  She was particularly effective in the first half, netting 13 points as the Lightning opened up a 10-point halftime lead.  Both Alex and Amanda recently committed to the University of Minnesota for track and field.  Alex won the Class AA triple jump last spring and was sixth in the 100-meter dash. Amanda was fourth in the long jump. They also were part of Eastview's two medal-winning relay teams: the 4x100 (fourth) and the 4x200 (eighth).

Score by half: Eastview 28-27--55, Orono 18-23--41

Orono: Chuba 10, A. Johnson 10, Tunheim 8, Erickson 6, Luse 3, Bittman 2, Esau 2

Eastview: Al. Beckman 18, Am. Beckman 8, Dockter 8, Shie 8, Johnson 4, Elliott 2, Ryan 2, Palkovich 2