Junior forward Abbie Crawford scored a team-high 23 points to help lead her team to victory against nearby North Shore rival Silver Bay Mariners.
The game was played on Friday, November 30, at Silver Bay.
Although the Vikings came out on top, 45-23, they struggled early, according to their head coach Kelly Hawsen.
“I am proud of our girls for overcoming the initial slow start and staying composed as we got into a groove for our first game,” said the coach.
Sophomore forward Paisley Smith also had a big night for the Vikings, scoring 13 points. Junior guard Alyssa Spry netted seven points, and junior forward Emma Gesch scored two points in the game.
Overall, the nightly free throw drills the team does in practice are already paying off big dividends as the girls went 7-10 from the charity stripe. If the team can stay around the 70 percent mark from the free throw line all year, they will win a lot of games, especially ones that are close.
With only eight varsity players and none of them seniors, coach Hawsen is fielding a young team. And although these next players didn’t put any points on the board against Silver Bay, Anna Hay, a freshman guard, Ariana Poyirier, a sophomore guard, Rhonnie Poyirier a freshman forward and Morgan Starkey, a freshman guard, all played significant minutes, and all will continue to do so throughout the season.
As for scoring points, all of the eight varsity players can put the ball in the hoop.
As for the match-up against the Mariners, coach Hawsen had nothing but praise for her young team, “We had great overall team play, especially passing the ball up the court. The girls played with great energy and excitement about the game.”
Next up for the Vikings are away games at Two Harbors on Dec. 7 and Carlton on Dec. 13. The Vikings get a chance to play in front of their hometown fans on Thursday, Dec. 13 in a game against Northeast Range. The game will start at 6: 30 p.m. Come out to cheer on your Vikings!
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