File photo Viking girls’ basketball had two wins in back-to-back games, bringing their overall record to 5-0. Ailee Larson scored 14 points in the home game against the Silver Bay Mariners on Parent’s Night, December 22.
The Cook County girls’ basketball team improved its overall season record to 5-0 with a 66-33 road win in Mountain Iron and a 77-16 win over Silver Bay at home. The extremely athletic and talented Vikings have overwhelmed their opponents this season with a combination of great defense and fast-paced offense.
On Monday, December 21, the Vikings made the trek across Highway 11 to take on the Rangers of Mountain Iron-Buhl. Cook County’s defense was simply dominating from the start. The Rangers’ junior guard, Charlotte Overbye, is one of the area’s leading scorers. Junior Brea Boomer was given the assignment of shutting her down.
While Boomer did an outstanding job on Overbye, the entire team played great team defense, which propelled them to a 39-14 halftime lead. Cook County’s great defense led to numerous fast break opportunities for the Vikings. Sophomore guard Ashley Deschampe led all scorers at halftime with 11 points. Boomer added eight points in the first 18 minutes of play.
Photo by Mitch Dorr Hunter Farley had a great game on December 22, leading the Viking JV team with 13 points versus the Silver Bay Mariners. The Vikes defeated the Mariners 60-23.
In the second half there was no letup by the Vikings. With the help of her teammates, Boomer held Overbye to only 11 points. Boomer continued her great all-around game, scoring 16 points on offense to lead all scorers.
Sophomore forward Bekah Laky was great off the bench, grabbing eight rebounds in the contest. Senior center Essa Jacobsen was hounded all night by the Rangers, but still dominated on defense as she grabbed 20 rebounds and blocked three shots. The Vikings battled to the end, doubling up the Rangers, 66-33.
In addition to Boomer’s 16 points, three other Vikings scored in double figures: Ashley Deschampe (13), Christina Nelson (11), and Ailee Larson (10).
The very next day, the Vikings hosted the Silver Bay Mariners on Parent’s night at Cook County High School. If there was any concern about lack of rest or taking the inexperienced Mariners lightly, that was soon put quickly to rest.
Cook County’s defensive pressure was simply overwhelming for the younger Mariners. The speed and tenacity of Boomer, Deschampe, Larson, and Nelson was too much for Silver Bay. Jacobsen, the team’s center and core leader, didn’t get in the action much as the Viking
guards overwhelmed the Mariners.
At halftime the Vikings were in total control as they led 59-7. Cook County only pressed for the first six minutes, but their half-court defense proved to be just as deadly. Deschampe’s combination of speed, strength, and aggressiveness was on full display as she scored 17 first-half points. Larson added 14 more at the break.
Head Coach T.J. Super did his best to make the Vikings work for points the rest of the way. He didn’t want fast breaks and he dictated a number of passes to be made before the Vikings attempted a shot.
The Viking bench was great, as they maintained an intense defense that didn’t get sloppy or out of control. The Vikings cruised to a 77-16 victory. Deschampe led all scorers with 19 points. Ailee Larson added her 14 points, while Boomer chipped in 11 and Taylor Ryden scored 10 points.
After five games the Vikings are averaging 63.8 points per game while only allowing 27.8 points. Over Christmas break, the Vikings traveled to Walker, Minnesota for their holiday Christmas tournament. Two of the eight teams are state-rated teams, which include #2-ranked Parkers Prairie and #11-ranked Sebeka. The Vikings took on Red Lake Falls in the opening round on Monday, December 28.
Look in next week’s edition for all the scores and highlights of the Walker Holiday Basketball Tournament!
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