Mike Austin
The Cook County boys’ basketball team started practice on Monday, November 23. It was a tough week to start the season, with Thanksgiving break interrupting the team’s earlyseason physical conditioning. The Vikings practiced for three days and then had much of the team out of town for the four-day Thanksgiving break.
The Vikings have 22 boys out for basketball this season. After having all five starters from last season’s team graduate, the Vikings will look to seniors Brock Hommerding, James Groth, and Mike Austin for leadership. While none of the Vikings’ senior leaders were regular starters last season, each one is very talented and all contributed to last season’s 19-5 record and playoff run to the Section 7A semifinals.
Junior Ryan Martinson will find himself in the starting lineup and has looked good in the pre-season workouts. While Cook County’s entire starting lineup has yet to be named, sophomores David Bergstrom and Mike Sjogren will be competing for valuable minutes. Both are smart and talented young players that the Vikings will need as the season progresses.
James Groth
In addition, freshmen Kale Boomer and Colin Everson both look to contribute at the varsity level. While young, both have varsity athletic experience and both players know the game. Junior Will Petty will also be a key component to the Vikings’ bench this season.
Sophomore forward Dylan Quaife will be sorely missed, as a knee injury sustained in the final game of the football season will likely keep him out for the duration of the regular season. His physical presence inside and great rebounding ability will be tough to replace.
Rounding out the Vikings’ lineup will be seniors Alex Senty and Raul Piccone; juniors Tim Hahn and Darren Waha; sophomores Hunter Farley, Erik Peterson, Jordan Lack, and Jeff Einberger; and freshmen Peter Warren, Justin Goldstein, and Sterling Anderson. Eighth grader Jonny Jacobsen will also play on the junior varsity team.
Brock Hommerding
The Vikings’ first game is Friday, December 4 versus Nashwauk at home. Thejunior varsity game starts at 4:15 followed by the varsity game at 5:45 p.m.
Come cheer
our Vikes!
Viking Boys Basketball
December 4
Home · 6:30 p.m.
vs. Nashwauk-Keewatin
December 18
Away · 6:30 p.m.
vs. Cromwell
December 21
Away · 6:30 p.m.
vs. Mountain Iron-Buhl
December 22
Home · 6:30 p.m.
vs. Silver Bay
January 5
Away · 6:30 p.m.
vs. Moose Lake/Willow River
January 8
Home · 4:45 p.m.
vs. Carlton
January 12
Away · 6:30 p.m.
vs. Silver Bay
January 15
Away · 6:30 p.m.
vs. Lakeview Christian Academy
January 19
Home · 6:30 p.m.
vs. Cromwell
January 22
Away · 6:30 p.m.
vs. Floodwood
January 23
Home · 1:00 p.m.
vs. Ely
January 28
Away · 6:30 p.m.
vs. Babbitt-Embarrass
January 29
Home · 6:30 p.m.
vs. Wrenshall
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