Just a freshman, Sophie Eliasen is a lightning-quick guard who uses her speed to blow by defenders. Sophie is in her second year as a varsity starter. Besides driving to the basket, Sophie is also a good 3-point shooter and tough defender.
Emily Jacobsen led the Cook County Vikings with 14 points in the team’s hard fought battle against Esko on February 5 in a game played in the Eskimos’ gym.
The Vikings fell 55-35 in a contest that was often closer than the final score would indicate.
“We were only down by 4 points at the half,” said Head Coach Kelly Senty.
The Vikings’ defense kept Esko to 16 first half points, but the Vikings had some of their own problems finding the hoop and trailed 16-12 going into the break.
However, said Senty, a second half surge by Esko was the difference.
“The girls played with them. We had a 6-minute lapse at the start of the second half where Esko got a quick 20-point lead. We battled back to within 10,” said Senty, before Esko pushed to a 20-point victory.
Still, it was an exciting game for the 1A Vikings to play in a close contest with a 3A school.
Senior guard/forward Lily Gruber-Schulz, who routinely scores 20 or more points, was held to 7 points. But Coach Senty felt Gruber-Schulz had an outstanding game. “Lily played a great role in bringing the ball up the court against Esko’s pressure,” she said.
Other Vikings to score were Sophie Eliasen (10), Hannah Toftey (2), and Bayley Cox (1).
The Vikings face Moose Lake/Willow River on Friday at 6:30 p.m. and then play Cromwell in a rematch at home on Tuesday, Feb. 16 at 6:30 p.m. The Vikings lost 75-37 to Cromwell on December 21 at Cromwell, but have since picked up their play.
The Vikings’ record is now 11-4.
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