Above: Rory Bakke hauled in a rebound against Two Harbors’ older, taller players. Just a 9th grader, Bakke is a scrappy player not afraid to rebound or chase any loose ball. Far right: Known more for his exploits on the football field, Peter Warren (33) has had a great senior year on the basketball court so far. Warren does all of the little things right, setting picks, rebounds and plays tough defense. Here he goes up for a rare shot against Two Harbors. Right: Richie Furlong urged the ball to go in as he shot it. Furlong scored 5 points against Two Harbors.
The Viking boys had two great games before appreciative home crowds last week, defeating the McGregor Mercuries on Friday, December 7 and the Two Harbors Agates on Tuesday, December 11.
Vikings outpace the Mercs
Behind a stingy defense and more then enough offense, the Cook County High School varsity boys’ basketball team overwhelmed the McGregor Mercs last Friday, December 7 at home in front of an appreciative crowd, winning 53-17.
Led once again by Colin Everson, who scored 21 points, the Vikings’ record is now 3-0 on what many thought would be a rebuilding year following last year’s 20-3 record.
“McGregor was young and overmatched,” said Head Coach Mitch Dorr.
“I was especially pleased with the way our kids kept their focus in the second half. We only gave up 6 points, so that is a mark of our staying on track,” Dorr said.
Senior guard Kale Boomer scored 16 points while freshman guard Rory Bakke hit two 3-point shots to become the Vikings’ third-leading scorer in the game. Justin Goldstein and Lars Scannell each scored 4 points while Richie Furlong chipped in 2 points. Peter Warren didn’t score a point but played his usual great defense and grabbed more than his share of offensive and defensive rebounds.
Boys polish off Agates 62-25
The first seven minutes of the home game against Two Harbors, played Tuesday, December 11 was interesting.
Predictable, but interesting.
Sporting a young, enthusiastic team, Two Harbors came out with fire and energy and was up 14-13 midway through the first half. But then the Vikings clamped down on defense and very efficiently and patiently pulled away from the outgunned Two Harbors team.
Once again Colin Everson led Viking scorers with 23 points and played another great game on defense. Fellow guard Kale Boomer scored 12 points and pulled down a fistful of rebounds while fellow starters Justin Goldstein with 6 points, Peter Warren with 6 points and Rory Bakke with 3 points, played superb team ball.
Bakke, in fact, at 5’7″ and maybe 140 pounds, grabbed 3 big rebounds in the first half, mixing it up in the paint with the “big boys,” showing that he is one scrappy 9th grader. Warren once again used his speed and jumping ability to hold down the middle and Goldstein slipped in two 3-point bombs while playing great defense and making smart passes and crashing the boards.
Early in the second half Coach Dorr substituted liberally, and got some great floor play from Lars Scannell, who scored 7 points, and Richie Furlong, who scored 5 points.
The Vikings are now 4-0 for the season and 2-0 and in first place in the Polar League. Coming to town on Thursday, December 13 are the 3A Esko Eskimos, who always sport a formidable team. The game will start at 6:30 p.m. Come out and cheer on your Vikings!
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