Theresa Morrin fights a Floodwood player for the ball in the Vikings’ game against their toughest rival to date. The Vikings lost a hard fought contest to Floodwood but, according to the Polar Bears’ coach, he expects the two teams to see each other later in the play-offs.
If you added up the inches of all five starters from the Floodwood girls’ team and all of the inches (in height) from the Viking girls’ team, you would find that Floodwood had a one-inch height advantage.
One inch!
And you know the old saying, “Give ’em an inch and they’ll take a mile!”
That’s what Floodwood did on January 21 at Cook County High School, beating the Vikings 57-51 in a game that often looked like rugby scrum as each team battled mightily for the ball on each and every possession.
Neither team had a starter taller than 5’9” but both teams fielded tough, physically fit, athletic players with high basketball IQs.
Both teams came ready to play. The Vikings knew that Floodwood was going to be tough, and Floodwood knew the Vikings would be ready. Each team ran a half-court press, and each team contested every shot and fought hard for each and every rebound.
The Vikings were up 23-21 with about four minutes to play in the first half when the Polar Bears went on a run to take a 34-25 lead into halftime.
Sweet shooting Ashley Deschampe is the first junior to score 1,000 points for her career. She scored her 1,000th point against Ely, and received commemorative ball on Thursday, January 27 during half time in their game against Babbitt/ Embarrass.
Up until that point the Vikings were relying mostly on the scoring of Ashley Deschampe, who scored 17 points at the break, while the Polar Bears had received 14 points from Alissa Autio.
The Vikings opened the second half of play by scoring the first 7 points. Brea Boomer netted 7 of the Vikings’ first 9 points, and the game turned backed into an even contest.
But the Vikings could never quite catch up. Part of the problem was missed free throws. Some of it was missed lay-ups and some of it was bad luck on shots that would appear to fall and then rim out.
Down 50-48, the Vikings failed to convert on three straight possessions. In order to get the ball back the Vikings fouled and sent the Polar Bears to the charity stripe numerous times in the final minute of the game. The Bears scored their last 7 points from the line, winning 57-51.
Deschampe led the Vikings with 29 points while Autio led her team with 20 points and numerous blocks. Boomer added 15 points for the Vikings, Ailee Larson netted 5 points and Ali Iverson chipped in 2 points. The Vikings’ record fell to 11-2 while Floodwood’s record is now 11-4.
Vikings rebound to beat Ely
Ashley Deschampe became the first junior in CCHS history to score over 1,000 points in her high school career.
Deschampe’s moment of fame came in the second half of the game against Ely when, according to Coach T.J. Super, “Ashley hit a pull-up jumper in the second half of a 67-52 win to record her 1,000 points.”
She is the sixth girl (fourth in five years under Coach Super) to reach that milestone. Deschampe needed 13 points after scoring 29 points the night before and scored exactly 13 points to hit 1,000.
Brea Boomer and Ailee Larson scored 8 points each to help the Vikings to a 31-24 halftime lead.
Super said, “The Ely Timberwolves were able to stay in the game by slowing down the tempo and working it around for good shots. Mariah McDonald led the Wolves with 10 first half points, including two 3’s.
“The second half proved to be too much speed from the Vikings, though, as they were able to convert turnovers, rebounds, and press break opportunities into easy buckets.”
Another player Super singled out for fine play was Theresa Morrin. “Morrin stepped up and played big inside, leading the Vikings with 17 points in the win.
Larson and Boomer contributed 15 points, while Deschampe chipped in 13. Bekah Laky scored 4 points and Ali Iverson netted 3 points to round out the Vikings’ points for the evening.
The Vikings record as of press time was 12-2, with games to be played on Thursday, January 27 and Friday, January 28.
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