Girls Basketball
by MARTY ZIER
Sports contributor
The Lady Vikings traveled to play rival Friday Harbor on Dec. 10 for one of the toughest and most contentious games of the season, winning 54-48.
The Vikings trailed the Wolverines 13-11 after the first quarter but battled through the second quarter, edging a lead at half, 26-24. The Vikings improved their shooting and tightened their defense in the paint, reducing the Wolverine’s low post scoring and stretching the lead to four points in the third quarter. Orcas showed maturing in the fourth quarter, fighting back the ever-present Wolverines who were loudly supported by the home crowd.
Coach Gregg Sasan felt his defense was key.
“We prepared well for them. At the Friday Harbor/Orcas games the girls always play hard,” he said. “Our defense was the highlight of our game; we kept their shooters unbalanced.”
Orcas scoring was led by Bella Nigretto 17, Shelbi Rogers, 16, Hannah Gaydos 11, Arianna Dean 6, and Alicia Susol and Kilee Rogers both with 2.
Boys Basketball
by JACK RUSSILLO
High School Senior
The Viking boys traveled to Redmond to play the Overlake Owls on Dec. 7 and lost 69-29.
The Owls, a battle-hardened 1A school, overwhelmed the Vikings with superior size and well-executed offensive sets. The Vikings trailed 29-7 after the first quarter.
Foul trouble hurt the Vikings as well as a lack of defensive rebounding, hindering the Vikings as they trailed 48-15 at the half. The Vikings came out of halftime ready to fight back, and outscored the Owls 12-10, but the deficit proved to be too big.
Orcas scoring was led by Jack Gates with 15, Jack Russillo 7, Pasha Bullock 5, and Demitri Pence with 2.
The Viking boys beat the rival Friday Harbor Wolverines JV team 61-46 at Friday Harbor High School on Dec. 10.
After a hot 7-2 start by the Wolverines, the Vikings went on a 28-5 run in the second half, led from senior Jack Gates with 22 first half points.
The Vikings played physical defense, leading to many steals and resulting in fast break points. The Vikings led 33-12 at halftime and were able to hold on to their first win of the season.
“We played okay,” said Coach Josh Mayson. “We’re still a work in progress and playing at about half of our potential. We have to keep working on our offense and learn to do the little things better.”
Orcas scoring was led by Jack Gates with 39, Miles Harlow 8, Pasha Bullock 6, Demitri Pence 5, Jay Zier 2, and Aidan Kruse with 1.
