East Hall’s girls opened the Class AAA basketball state playoffs on Friday with the poise and passion of a team destined for a long run, even though just a week ago it was a long shot that the Lady Vikings would even reach the postseason. Add to their resume hosting a first-round playoff game against North Murray in Gainesville, and a picture begins to develop showing the strides that East Hall's girls have made this month. “It’s been a process and just had to improve step by step along the way,” said first-year East Hall coach Justin Wheeler, following an emphatic 61-36 victory against the Lady Mountaineers.