A slick dribbler, Arianna Poyirier made a quick move to the basket and then stepped back and took a shot from behind the three-point line that hit nothing but net on this play. The 9-11 Vikings received their first home Section 7A play-off game in many years on Thursday, February 27. Results of that game will be posted next week in the paper. Photo courtesy of Bruce Johnson
Preceding the start of the Friday, February 21 game against the Nashwauk-Keewatin Nighthawks, Cook County girls’ Coach Kelly Hawsen introduced her seniors.
Coming out onto the floor for what may be their last home game ever in a Viking jersey were team captain Alyssa Spry, Abbie Crawford, Sarah Slivinski, and Emma Gesch, who had started last year but was knocked out of her season because of a leg injury. Emma has been with the team this whole season helping at practices and was on the bench with her teammates during games.
As for the Friday, February 21 game against the Nighthawks, the Vikings came out firing on all cylinders and were utterly dominant on both offense and defense. Playing what may be their best first half of basketball this season, the Vikings led 30-2 at the break.
The Vikings played an aggressive man defense and were in the Nighthawks passing lanes the whole first 18 minutes, making a multitude of steals. They also held the Nighthawks to one shot on most plays and rebounded the ball exceptionally well.
The Nighthawks looked like a different team in the second half, finding their range on their shots and ending the game with 32 points. Some of that was because the Vikings’ defense wasn’t as aggressive and Coach Hawsen played her entire bench. However, the contest was never in doubt and the Vikings claimed a 55-32 victory.
Abbie Crawford had a great all around game. She guarded the Nighthawks leading scorer and made a half dozen steals in the game. She made three 3-point baskets to finish with 15 points.
Battling underneath the basket, Rhonnie Poyirier also had 15 points. Many of those baskets were putbacks after rebounding the ball. Some call those “Coaches” points because coaches love it when players don’t give up and score on second or third chance plays.
Ariana Poyirier finished with seven points, a handful of steals, a handful of assists, rebounded well and had a great all around game.
Paisley Smith played great defense and ended her night with six points. Katie Peck is always in the middle of the action in the paint on both ends of the floor. Katie finished with six well-earned points.
A lot of what Alyssa Spry does doesn’t show up on the box score. She boxes out well, defends well, often hits the floor to grab a wayward basketball, dribbles and passes the ball with few turnovers and at times, scores. Alyssa played her usual fast paced, consistent game against the Nighthawks and ended her night with four points. Freshman Anna Fragle, one of several young Vikings to watch, finished with two points.
Madison Owens, a junior guard, led the Nighthawks with nine points. Nashwauk-Keewatin didn’t have any seniors on their team, so they will be better next year.
Home Playoff game
For the first time ever the Cook County girls will get a home playoff game. “This is not a play-in game,” said head Coach Kelly Hawsen.
“We have the high seed so we play at home versus Carlton on Thursday,” said Hawsen.
Because the game occurs after this week’s paper comes out, we will have the results of the game in next week’s edition.
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