The Cook County boys’ basketball team faced the very tough Barnum Bombers on Friday, February 26. Left: Senior James Groth went airborne for several shots and made a number of back-to-back baskets. Above: Viking defensemen Kale Boomer and David Bergstrom played well against Barnum.
The Cook County boys’ basketball team had a difficult challenge on Friday night against the 19-3 Barnum Bombers. TheBombers start five players who all stand six feet or taller. In addition, Barnum doesn’t have a player who averages over 12 points per game, so it is tough to key defense against any one player.
After Barnum took an early 4-0 lead, senior James Groth hit back-toback three-pointers from way outside to give the Vikings a 6-4 lead. The Bombers countered with a 7-0 run to reclaim the lead, 6-11. Groth then hit two more deep three-pointers to keep the Vikings within one, 12-13, halfway through the first half. No other Viking had yet to score.
Both Groth and senior co-captain Mike Austin picked up early second fouls and went to the bench with the game close in hand. The Bombers took advantage of the Vikings’ senior foul trouble as they went on an 11-2 run to extend their lead to 14-24 with just over four minutes remaining in the half.
Junior Ryan Martinson made two shots in the closing minutes, but lack of defensive intensity in the final minutes cost the Vikings as they went into halftime down by 12, 20-32. Groth led the Vikings at halftime with 12 points and Martinson added six points.
The second half did not start well as the Bombers’ intensity was more than the Vikings had hoped. With 11:36 remaining in the game, Barnum had a 27-42 lead. Following a fairly animated timeout, the Vikings returned to the court with a bit more emotion and intensity.
Slowly the Vikings began to claw their way back into the game. Austin made a shot inside, followed by a driving lay-up by freshman Kale Boomer. Groth then scored four straight points and the Vikings were within 10, 38-48, with just over six minutes left.
Austin and Groth then made backto back baskets as the Vikings pulled within seven points, 44-51 with 2:29 remaining in the game. Despite a spirited rally and great defense, the Vikings couldn’t muster enough firepower on offense as the Bombers outlasted the Vikings, 44-53.
Despite the loss, the young and inexperienced Viking squad played well against one of the best teams in the area. Groth led the Vikings with 15 points. Martinson added 12 points and Austin finished with 11 points and 10 rebounds. Boomer played excellent in his first game as the team’s starting point guard, as he dished out four assists and played excellent defense.
The loss brings the Vikings’ overall season record to 7-12 with one regular season game left on the schedule. Cook County played in Two Harbors after this edition went to press. The Vikings will be either the fifth or sixth seed in the Section 7A playoffs. Their first game will be Thursday, March 11 at 6:00 p.m. in either Esko or Hermantown against a yet to be determined opponent. Look in next week’s edition for all the scores and highlights.
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