The Viking girls defeated the Lakeview Christian Academy Lions, 77-16, on Thursday, March 4, advancing in the play-offs. Brea Boomer led the Vikings with 22 points.
The Cook County girls’ basketball team won its first two playoff games to advance in the Section 7A playoffs. In second-round play, the Vikings trampled the Lions of Lakeview Christian Academy, 77-16. Cook County then survived a quarterfinal scare by beating the Cherry Tigers, 48-46. The two playoff wins improve the Vikings’ overall season record to 23-4.
On Thursday, March 4, the Vikings traveled to Esko to take on the Lakeview Christian Academy Lions. Earlier in the season, Cook County had tamed the Lions by a score of 72-12. With senior captain and leading rebounder Essa Jacobsen out for the playoffs with a knee injury, the first playoff game would be an emotional test for the Vikings.
Cook County started the game in its full court man-to-man press. Numerous steals led to many fast-break baskets. The Lions were forced into 29 first-half turnovers, as junior Ailee Larson continued to attack the basket and distribute the basketball to her teammates in the Vikings’ transition offense. Brea Boomer was dominating, scoring 16 points in the first half. Larson added 12 points and numerous assists. The Lions could not compete with the faster and more aggressive Vikings. After 18 minutes of play, the Vikings had a dominating 52-9 lead.
Two days later, the Vikings played a tough game against the Cherry Tigers. Ashley Deschampe led the Viking scorers with 27 points.
Thesecond half was more of the same with the Viking bench getting extended minutes of playing time. Cook County outscored the Lions 25-7 in the second half to win 77-16.
Brea Boomer led all scorers with 22 points. Larson added 18 points and senior Christina Nelson scored 14 points. Ashley Deschampe rounded out the Vikings in double figures with 10 points.
Two days later, the Vikings played in a tough, hard-fought battle against the Cherry Tigers at Duluth Denfeld High School. Cherry jumped out to an early 8-0 lead that caught the favored Vikings a bit off guard.
The Tigers used a 2-3 zone to slow the pace of the game down, and the Vikings found themselves in foul trouble most of the night. Nelson and Boomer were each called for two quick fouls in the first half, and then when brought back into the game, each picked up her third foul and was forced to sit on the bench for the rest of the first half.
Freshman Theresa Morrin played well off the bench grabbing numerous rebounds for the Vikings. Ashley Deschampe stepped up and scored 11 first-half points, including backto back three-pointers to end the half. At the break, Cook County and Cherry were knotted up at 21-21.
With Nelson and Boomer battling foul trouble, the weight of the game largely fell on the shoulders of Larson and Deschampe. The guard duo combined to score 25 of the Vikings’ next 27 points of the second half.
After Nelson fouled out, the Vikings had a seven-point lead following a clutch three-point shot by Deschampe. TheTigers cut the lead to three, 46-43 with just over 30 seconds left on the clock.
After fouling numerous times, the Tigers were finally in the bonus situation, putting Boomer on the line. Boomer missed the free throw, but Morrin grabbed a clutch rebound and was instantly fouled. The freshman made her first free throw to extend the Viking lead to four. After missing the second free throw attempt, the Tigers raced down court and banked in a three-point shot to cut the Viking lead to 47-46.
Only 0.1 seconds remained on the clock, however, when Deschampe was fouled. There would be no chance of a Tiger victory. Deschampe made one of two free throws and time expired. The Vikings held on to win a frenzied playoff game, 48-46.
Deschampe led all scorers with 27 points. Larson was the only other Viking in double figures with 10 points.
Though the game was played at a slower pace than the Vikings are accustomed to, Cook County played through a lot of adversity. The young bench gained experience from quality minutes in a crucial playoff game.
The Vikings are now 23-4 on the season and will face the Nashwauk- Keewatin Spartans in the Section 7A Semifinals on Wednesday, March 10 in Duluth. Look in next week’s edition for all the scores and highlights.
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