With the defender behind him waving goodbye, Jordan Porter powers to the basket for a layup. The Vikings will begin Section playoffs next week, but it’s not known at this time where their first game will be played. Photo courtesy of Bruce Johnson
It was “Senior Night” on Friday, February 21 and Coach Colin Everson started his five seniors against the visiting Nashwauk-Keewatin Nighthawks.
Taking the home floor for the last time in a Viking basketball uniform were Pete Sutton, Jordan Porter, Adam Dorr, Keegan Morrison, and Austin Lincoln.
The Nighthawks came into the game with some slick, quick ball handlers who could shoot the three, and then, if the Vikings tried to take that away, the three guards threw the ball inside to their two junior big men, 6’6 Keegen Warmuth and 6’5 Jack Lorenz. All in all, there was no way the Vikings could match up with the Nighthawks. But that doesn’t mean they didn’t compete hard.
A three-point basket by Sutton gave the Vikings their only lead of the night when they went up 3-2 at the start of the game. From there, it was pretty much all Nashwauk as the Nighthawks took a 47-21 lead into halftime.
The Vikings brought the score to within 18 points a couple of times in the second half, But Nashwauk always had an answer and would come right back with a run of their own. Still, despite the final score of 76-52, there were several second-half highlight moments.
On two or three occasions the 6’2 Pete Sutton came flying out of nowhere to block shots at the rim by the Nighthawks big men. Pete also slam dunked the basketball and ended up scoring 28 points, just a bit higher than his 25.3 points per game average.
Jordan Porter crashed the boards hard but had a tough shooting night. Jordan, who has been in double figures for the Vikings most every game this season, had several balls scoop in and out of the basket and could never seem to find his range. He ended up with six points.
With the win, the Nighthawks record is now 21-4. The loss dropped the Vikings record to 5-13.
Austin Lincoln also had a couple of nice baskets in the second half of play and ended his night with five points. Ethan Poulin made four points, Keegan Morrison finished with three points, Adam Dorr had three points, Paul Dorr, a freshman, ended with three points on a long three.
“Nashwauk is a very good team and currently leading our section,” said Coach Everson. “We showed that we could compete and play with this team throughout the game. It was good to play another high caliber team and see where we stand up.”
“We need to continue to work to execute more consistently and effectively. We are looking forward to another week of practice and competing against another good opponent next Friday to get ready for playoffs.”
The Vikings have one more regular game before playoffs start. They travel to Fond du Lac on Friday, February 28 and then on March 2 they begin playoffs with a play-in game. Where that game will be played and against whom isn’t known at this time.
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