The competition wasn't exactly formidable, but the result was still impressive.

Now Casper College coach Joel Davidson is hoping his Thunderbirds use Sunday's 98-45 victory over the Wyoming All-Stars as a building block for the rest of the season.

The season starts in earnest tonight when the T-Birds host the College of Southern Idaho in the Wells Fargo Tip-Off Classic at Swede Erickson Thunderbird Gym. Casper will take on Williston (N.D.) State on Saturday.

"I think last week's game was good in that it allowed some of the players to get their first-game jitters out of the way," Davidson said. "Obviously the level of competition takes a big step up [tonight], but I know we're excited to get started and see how we do."

Casper had six players score in double figures, led by Antonio DiMaria and Jackson's James Hayden with 15 points each, in its win over the All-Stars.

Davidson is looking for another balanced effort this weekend.

"We're going up against two perennial powers," the second-year coach said. "The key for us is going to be to play hard and be smart.

"We've got to be solid with the basketball, we can't give away possessions. And on defense we can't allow any easy baskets."

The non-conference schedule will only get tougher from here on out for the T-Birds as they have a home-and-home slated with No. 2 Iowa Western as well as games against Dodge City (Kan.), New Mexico Junior College and Northeastern (Colo.) Junior College.

That makes this weekend's games a good starting point for the T-Birds.

"It's a good weekend for us," Davidson said. "We're healthy and we know what we need to do. Now we just have to go out on the court and do it."

Contact sports reporter Jack Nowlin at (307) 266-0528 or jack.nowlin@trib.com.

T-Birds Tracker

TONIGHT: Williston State at Casper, 7:30 p.m.

LAST TIME OUT: The Thunderbirds had six players score in double figures as they routed the Wyoming All-Stars 98-45 on Sunday.

HE SAID IT: "We're going up against two perennial powers." -- Casper coach Joel Davidson.

NEXT: College of Southern Idaho at Casper, Saturday, 7:30 p.m.