The Vikings and the Lions went head to head on a clear, cold Friday afternoon. The Vikings, though they succumbed 78-71, fought hard and the points on the board reflected the two teams’ well-matched abilities and athleticism. At the end of the second half, the score was almost tied, 32-33; there was an abundance of fouls and during the first and second quarters the Vikings kept their approaching offense wide and cautious around the key. There were several questionable calls on both sides, but despite this the young players kept their heads and kept focused on the game and fair play. Several times players slid face first onto the court trying to save the ball or getting involved in a struggle for possession.

In the second half, Taylor Diepenbrock put it in nice and easy, with no hint of nerves. Tyler Nigretto was also having no trouble sinking the ball. The Lions came out roaring at the start of the second half with one player leaping into the air and pawing the ball from the intended Viking player and making a stupendous lay up into the basket – but the Vikings returned the favor. Seadrick Wooding displayed his expertise again and again, leading the offense to the key and setting up plays that were followed through by Liedecker as well as Taylor Diepenbrock, who was mad for rebounds and relentless under the basket.

The second half began with both teams hungry for points. Several shots were blocked handily by Nigretto and the Vikings took full advantage of Concrete’s fumbled passes. But still, late in the third quarter, the Vikings were down 51-52. The Lions were agile on the court and could turn the direction of the game over in a heartbeat. The Vikings led for one minute but thanks to a well-placed three pointer by the Lions, the Vikings were under by one with 20 seconds to go.

The Lions capitalized again with a sweet lay up and then it was the fourth quarter and the Vikings were down by three. The Concrete players came out looking to score and the Vikings faltered at defense under the Lions’ basket, but were quick into their guard positions. Mistakes were made on both sides but both teams had a fast recovery. Then Nigretto and Wooding led the Orcas rally with four points followed up by Tyler Leidecker, who got in there and scored for the Vikings. The score was now 60-65, Lions leading. Diepenbrock was set up for a beautiful three pointer but it hit the rim and stopped the Vikings’ momentum for just a second. Once again the Lions were thwarted under the basket by Leidecker’s defensive presence but on the rebound Concrete managed to get it in. Nigretto picked up a fast break, faked out his guard, and popped it in for two, but the Vikings were still down by seven. Concrete’s offensive plays were well-executed and designed to confuse the defense, and though the Vikings fought hard too many turnovers hurt them. The Vikings fell by 8 points on Friday.

The Vikings and the Lions went head to head on a clear, cold Friday afternoon. The Vikings, though they succumbed 78-71, fought hard and the points on the board reflected the two teams’ well-matched abilities and athleticism. At the end of the second half, the score was almost tied, 32-33; there was an abundance of fouls and during the first and second quarters the Vikings kept their approaching offense wide and cautious around the key. There were several questionable calls on both sides, but despite this the young players kept their heads and kept focused on the game and fair play. Several times players slid face first onto the court trying to save the ball or getting involved in a struggle for possession.

In the second half, Taylor Diepenbrock put it in nice and easy, with no hint of nerves. Tyler Nigretto was also having no trouble sinking the ball. The Lions came out roaring at the start of the second half with one player leaping into the air and pawing the ball from the intended Viking player and making a stupendous lay up into the basket – but the Vikings returned the favor. Seadrick Wooding displayed his expertise again and again, leading the offense to the key and setting up plays that were followed through by Liedecker as well as Taylor Diepenbrock, who was mad for rebounds and relentless under the basket.

The second half began with both teams hungry for points. Several shots were blocked handily by Nigretto and the Vikings took full advantage of Concrete’s fumbled passes. But still, late in the third quarter, the Vikings were down 51-52. The Lions were agile on the court and could turn the direction of the game over in a heartbeat. The Vikings led for one minute but thanks to a well-placed three pointer by the Lions, the Vikings were under by one with 20 seconds to go.

The Lions capitalized again with a sweet lay up and then it was the fourth quarter and the Vikings were down by three. The Concrete players came out looking to score and the Vikings faltered at defense under the Lions’ basket, but were quick into their guard positions. Mistakes were made on both sides but both teams had a fast recovery. Then Nigretto and Wooding led the Orcas rally with four points followed up by Tyler Leidecker, who got in there and scored for the Vikings. The score was now 60-65, Lions leading. Diepenbrock was set up for a beautiful three pointer but it hit the rim and stopped the Vikings’ momentum for just a second. Once again the Lions were thwarted under the basket by Leidecker’s defensive presence but on the rebound Concrete managed to get it in. Nigretto picked up a fast break, faked out his guard, and popped it in for two, but the Vikings were still down by seven. Concrete’s offensive plays were well-executed and designed to confuse the defense, and though the Vikings fought hard too many turnovers hurt them. The Vikings fell by 8 points on Friday.