Taking a deadeye on the basket, Katie Peck made this three-point shot in a recent game. Katie is a freshman forward on the Vikings’ squad, playing both junior varsity and varsity ball. Photo courtesy of Bruce Johnson
The Cook County High school girls’ varsity basketball team had a tall order in front of them when they faced the Mesabi East Giants on Tuesday night, January 21, at home.
Located in Aurora, the Giants came into the contest with a 13-2 record and are 4-0 in the Iron Range Conference.
Up against a stiff defense, the Vikings managed just 17 first-half points and finished with 39 for the game. Meanwhile, the Giants ended with 72 points and put another “W” in their won-loss column.
Senior guard Ava Hill, better known as the Class A 800 meter state champion for the last few years, led the Giants. Ava averages 23.8 points per game. Hannah Hannuskla averages 17.2 points and Amelia Mattfeild chips in 10 points per game while the surrounding cast of players tends to be tall, play tough defense and rebound well.
Abbie Crawford led the Vikings in scoring with 13 points. Ariana Poyirier finished with 11, Rhonnie Poyirier had 8, Alyssa Spry 4, and Paisley Smith finished with 3 points in the contest.
Meanwhile, the Vikings record is 3-4, and while the team is improving, they have played some daunting competition, Cromwell is ranked second in the Minnesota polls for Class A, and the team faces three much larger prominent school opponents in Duluth East, Duluth Denfeld and Esko in the next couple of weeks.
Next up for the girls is an away game against Wrenshall followed by a Friday, January 31, home game against the Two Harbors Agates. It will be Parents’ Night and the game will be played at 6:30 p.m.
The next day former Vikings great Bria Boomer will bring her Duluth East Greyhound team to play the Vikings in a 2:45 p.m. afternoon game. Come out and say “hello” to Bria and cheer for your Vikings!
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