Talent wise, not a lot separates the CCHS Vikings and the Two Harbors Agates, and that was evidenced in the Vikings’ home game against the Agates played on Friday, Feb. 1.
In the opening minutes the Vikings were down 11-3, but they clamped down on defense and converted a series of takeaways to go on a 17-3 run and take a 20-14 lead. The Agates slowly caught up and just as the half was coming to a close a 3-point buzzer beater gave the Agates a 31-30 lead at the break.
Momentum was on the Agates’ side as the opening second half of play resumed. The Agates reeled off 12 points while the Vikings were held to two free throws.
With 2:40 to play the Vikings trailed 50-38 but a free throw by Ariana Poyirier and a 3-point basket by Abbie Crawford pulled the team to an 8-point deficit.
Next the Agates’ big center Tori Bott made a short shot underneath and was fouled. Bott made her free throw and the Vikings trailed by 11 with under a minute to play.
What followed was a run by the Vikings that nearly led to a victory. Paisley Smith made a 2-point basket, followed by a long 3 from Ariana Poyirier and then another 2-point bucket by Poyirier to make the score 49-53.
With 16 seconds left Ariana stole the ball at mid-court and was driving for the basket when she tripped and fell in the lane, losing the ball out-of-bounds.
The Vikings had to foul with 11 seconds to play and ended up losing 55-49 as the Agates added two more points on free throws.
Ariana Poyirier led the team in scoring with 19 points. Abbie Crawford finished with 10 points, Rhonnie Poyirier had 8, Paisley Smith 6, Alyssa Spry 4, and Emma Gesch had 2 points.
The team was 9-16 from the free throw line and made four 3-point baskets, two by Ariana and two by Abbie.
Tori Bott and Laura Erickson led Two Harbors with 11 points each.
Vikings beat Chisholm
On Feb. 4 the Vikings traveled to Chisholm to face the Bluestreaks and after gaining a 35-12 halftime lead, the team closed out the game 59-43.
Once again Ariana Poyirier led the team in scoring with 16 points. Abbie Crawford finished with 13, Rhonnie Poyirier 10, Paisley Smith 9, Emma Gesch 8, Morgan Starkey 2, and Alyssa Spry 1.
“We were up 35-12 the first half and were playing well,” said head coach Kelly Hawsen. “We are working on consistency and finishing a game when we have a strong lead. We still need to work on coming out strong the second half.”
Viking lose to Ely
With little rest, the Vikings boarded the bus the next day and traveled to Ely to face the Timberwolves.
Tonight, Friday, Feb. 8, the Vikings have a home game against the Barnum Bombers. The game starts at 4:45 p.m.
The Vikings also play at home against the Denfeld Hunters on Thursday, Feb. 14. The game starts at 6:30 p.m.
That game will be followed the next day by a home game played in Grand Portage against Fond du Lac. That game will start at 4:45 p.m.
The next day Floodwood comes to town on Saturday, Feb. 16 to play in a game that will start at 2 p.m.
The Vikings’ last game of the regular season will be at Nashwauk Keetwatin on Feb. 22.
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