Playing stellar defense, Jonny Jacobsen blocked this shot by the Northeast Range player. The loveable lug is filling the center spot nicely and is back to playing full-time after being out for most of the season due to a knee injury.
The Vikings played Northeast Range on Thursday, January 24, Carlton the next night, Silver Bay on Monday, January 28 and then faced Mesabi East on Tuesday to complete a busy six-day stretch of basketball that took their record to 10-5 for the season.
Following the Viking girls’ game, Colin Everson looked like he was ready to take on Northeast Range by himself.
Everson powered past whoever was defending him and got into the lane all night long, scoring a team-high 31 points on a combination of short jump shots and lay-ups. When it came to breaking down a defense, Everson put on a clinic. Most of Everson’s offense came in the first half as he led his team into the locker room up 37-19.
Lars Scannell also had his best game to date. The sophomore scored 16 points and was disruptive on defense, causing turnovers and tipping passes.
Once again point guard Kale Boomer set the tempo for the offense while leading the team in rebounding and assists and scoring 6 points in the process. Jonny Jacobsen and Peter Warren each scored 3 points and Noah Warren, Andy Farley and Richie Furlong scored 2 points a piece.
Showing his lightning-quick 3-point shooting form, Justin Goldstein has been golden for the Vikings this year from downtown. Goldstein has also had a great season on the defensive side of the ball, usually shutting down the player he is defending with his tenacious defense.
The boys’ won 65-38 and were ready to play Carlton the next night in a game that most expected to be close.
Close loss to Bulldogs 44-42
Carlton used its small gym to its advantage, taking a 25-17 lead into the locker room at halftime. With 3:29 left in the game the Vikings were down 10 points and then went to their 2-2-1 full court press and created some turnovers. Back to back three-point shots by Everson closed the lead and then with 30 seconds to go Everson stole the ball and made a nice pass to Lars Scannell for a basket and the Vikings led 42-41. With 4.4 seconds to play Carlton fouled Boomer who went to the line for 1-and-1 free throws. He missed and Carlton rebounded and passed to their best player, who according to Dorr, “took two dribbles and heaved a 55-foot shot as time expired…. nothing but net. We didn’t play very well all game until the final three minutes,” said Dorr.
Colin Everson led Viking scorers with 20 points while Kale Boomer was the only other Viking to score double figures with 11 points. Rounding out the offense was Lars Scannell who had 5 points, Jonny Jacobsen who netted 4 points and Peter Warren who scored 2 points.
Vikings beat Silver Bay 63-37
This game was never in doubt. Silver Bay hasn’t won a game all year despite the splendid play of senior guard Kyle Blood, and he was no match for the Vikings’ dynamic duo of Kale Boomer and Colin Everson and the strong supporting cast around them.
Junior center Jonny Jacobsen continues to improve as he plays his way back into shape after recovering from a knee injury suffered playing football. Justin Goldstein hit a couple of threes, played his usual tough man-to-man defense and Peter Warren and Lars Scannell also had good games—especially on defense.
Vikings survive scare, beat Mesabi East
Up by 20 points, this game looked like it was in the bag for the Vikings who came out on fire against Mesabi East on Tuesday, January 29 in a game played at home.
But right before halftime Mesabi East put on a full court press and scored 6 points in the last 45 seconds to cut the Vikings’ lead down to 12 points.
As the game progressed the Vikings failed to hit on numerous open looks and Mesabi played with frenetic energy, slowly whittling the Vikings’ lead down to a skimpy 3 points with 4 minutes to play.
Although the Vikings tried to take the air out of the ball with a slow-down offense, the Giants’ full court press and trapping defense forced the Vikings into numerous turnovers.
As tension grew and the clock wound down, senior guard Kale Boomer took over, hitting three straight baskets to stretch the Vikings’ lead. Everson followed Boomer with the next two baskets and hit two free throws to seal the victory 62-48. Their combined offensive outburst put an end to the hopes of the Mesabi East Giants, perhaps the best three-win team in the region.
“Our two senior captains did a great job in the closing minutes to seal the game away for us,” said Coach Dorr.
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