The Vikings claimed second place in the Walker Christmas Tournament. The triumphant team! (L-R, front) Theresa Morrin, Leah Utities, Taylor Ryden, Molly Zafft. (L-R, back) Head Coach T.J. Super, Assistant Coach John Jacobsen, Christina Nelson, Bekah Laky, Brea Boomer, Essa Jacobsen, Ailee Larson, Kaitlynn Linnell, Assistant Coach Kim Linnell. Left: Earning places on the Walker All-Tournament team were (L-R) Cook County Vikings Brea Boomer, Ailee Larson and Essa Jacobsen.
The Cook County girls’ basketball team entered the holiday season with a perfect 5-0 season record. Head Coach T.J. Super was looking for a tough test with stiffer competition and entered the Vikings into the Walker Christmas basketball tournament.
The Vikings played very well in the tournament, winning their first two games against Red Lake Falls and Sebeka to advance to the championship game against Parkers Prairie, the thirdranked team in the state of Minnesota. After a hard fought game, the Vikings fell to Parkers Prairie in the championship game, 52-64.
In the first round of competition on Monday December 28, the Vikings faced Red Lake Falls. The Eagles entered the game with a 4-2 record. Early in the game, Cook County showed some rust from the previous four days off due to Christmas break. After an early 7-7 score, the Vikings’ defense stepped it up a notch. Their tough defense led to some fast break points as the Vikings went on a 34-9 run to take a commanding 41-16 halftime lead.
Photo courtesy of the team
After the Vikings started slow in the second half, senior Christina Nelson took over, playing great defense and controlling the Vikings’ tempo on offense. Nelson took the ball to the hoop on numerous moves that helped Cook County run away with a 64-36 win. It was a great team win for the Vikings as all eleven players contributed to the victory.
In addition to Nelson’s great all-around game and 12 points, Ailee Larson scored a career high 17 points. Essa Jacobsen and Brea Boomer each added 10 points for the Vikings.
In the late game on December 29, the Vikings went up against the state-ranked Sebeka Trojans. Cook County started out strong, as Boomer dominated the first half of play on both sides of the court. In the first five minutes of play, Boomer couldn’t be stopped inside as she scored at will and grabbed numerous rebounds in the process.
After seven minutes of play, the Vikings had an early six-point lead, 22-16. While the Vikings kept scoring on offense, their defense was not getting the stops it was accustomed to. Coach Super was visibly upset at halftimeand defensive adjustments were made during the halftime locker room visit.
The Viking defense became much more aggressive in the second half as Boomer totally shut down their star post player in the second half, holding her to just two points in the final 18 minutes of play.
Cook County played their best basketball of the season in the final ten minutes of play. A combination of great passing, tough defense, and savvy cuts to the basket broke open a close game as the Vikings won for the second time in as many nights, 64-46.
Boomer led the Vikings with 16 points, as Jacobsen added 14 points and Larson chipped in 12. Nelson and Ashley Deschampe added eight points each for Cook County.
Following two great performances, the Vikings were now in the championship game against the third-ranked Parkers Prairie Panthers. Sari Noga, who was nearing the 3,000-point mark for her career, led the Panthers. Noga has already committed to the University of Minnesota and has accepted a full athletic scholarship to play basketball for the Gophers next season.
Cook County played a bit sluggish in the first half as Noga scored 13 first-half points and the 3,000th of her career, as the Vikings found themselves down by ten at the break, 26-36.
In addition, the Vikings’ Ashley Deschampe was absent from the game due to a family holiday vacation. Despite some adversity, Cook County mounted a furious comeback that started on the defensive end of the court.
Boomer clamped down on Noga and held her to just six second-half points, a season low. The Vikings went on a 28-15 run to take a 54-51 lead. Parkers Prairie regained some momentum when they made a big three-point shot after the Vikings missed a wideopen lay-up.
Cook County missed three short shots and turned the ball over on the following possession as the Panthers took a 54-59 lead. TheVikings ran out of time for a comeback, as they had to foul to get back into the game. Cook County came up just short, losing 54-62.
The Vikings missed over a dozen lay-ups and six crucial free throws in the game. Despite the loss, the Vikings showed they could play with anyone in the state. Bekah Laky, Taylor Ryden, and Theresa Morrin all played well in the absence of Deschampe.
Jacobsen led the Vikings in scoring with 15 points. Nelson added 13 points for Cook County, as she played another great all-around game. Boomer also had another great game, scoring eight points, grabbing eight rebounds, dishing out six assists, and playing great defense on one of the state’s best players.
There was an all-tournament team selected at the conclusion of the tournament. Three Vikings made the team: Ailee Larson, Brea Boomer, and Essa Jacobsen. While Coach Super was thrilled to have three players named to the all-tournament team, he was a bit disappointed that Christina Nelson was not on the team. “Tina played great in the tournament,” he said. “She played tremendous on both sides of the ball and really gave us the lift we needed all tournament long.”
The Vikings are now 7-1 on the season. The Vikings played in Moose Lake this past Tuesday night and play at home this Friday against Carlton. Look in next week’s edition for all the scores and highlights.
Come cheer our Vikes!
Tuesday, Jan. 12
Away · 4:45 p.m.
vs. Silver Bay
Thursday, Jan. 14
Home · 6:30/7:30
vs. Mesabi East
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