The Cook County Viking girls finished the basketball season with an amazing 23-5 record, finishing the season with a hard-fought game in Section 7A semifinals against the Nashwauk Keewatin Spartans on March 10. The Vikings not only had a great season record, they obviously had a great time on the court. Pictured here are Junior Ailee Larson, Senior Christina Nelson and Freshman Taylor Ryden at a home game earlier this year.
On Wednesday, March 10, the Cook County girls’ basketball team took on the Nashwauk- Keewatin Spartans in the Section 7A Semifinals at the University of Minnesota-Duluth. The Vikings had a tough time in the final minutes against the senior-laden Spartans, losing a closely contested game, 53-61. Nashwauk would go on to win the Section 7A championship.
After the first six minutes of play, the Vikings quickly found themselves down by 10 points, 2-12. Sophomore Ashley Deschampe ignited the crowd with three consecutive three-pointers to bring the Vikings within one, 11-12. Cook County’s run continued as Brea Boomer added a basket inside that was followed by another Viking three-pointer by freshman Theresa Morrin. The Vikings now had a four-point lead, 16-12.
With the score tied, 16-16, Boomer was called for her second foul, as Head Coach T.J. Super pulled out his main offensive threat. Trailing by four points, Coach Super gambled and put Boomer back in the game. Boomer responded by scoring five straight points. Minutes later, however, Boomer was called for her third foul and forced to sit for the remainder of the half. Christina Nelson would make a big shot to end the half and give the Vikings a 25-23 advantage at the break.
Deschampe led the Vikings at the break with nine points, and despite foul trouble, Boomer added seven points to the tally.
In the second half, Boomer went inside and posted up, scoring seven of Cook County’s first 10 points. Nelson then scored seven straight points as the Vikings took a 42-34 lead. Boomer was then called for her fourth foul and the Spartans took advantage, going on an 8-0 run with her off the court to tie the game at 42-42 with just 9:42 remaining in the game.
Boomer then came back to the court and played successfully without fouling for the remainder of the game. After both teams traded the lead and battled back and forth, the Vikings found themselves down by three points, 51-54, with just 1:29 remaining in the game. Cook County went back to Boomer who scored inside and brought the Vikings to within one, 53-54.
Following a missed Spartan shot, the Vikings couldn’t convert, as a costly turnover didn’t allow the Vikings the opportunity to get a shot attempt. The Spartans would go on to make six of their final eight free throw attempts while the Vikings couldn’t make another basket. Cook County would come up just short, 53-61.
Boomer had a fantastic all-around game as she carried the Vikings with an outstanding 21-point performance. Deschampe added 12 points, all of which came from three-point shots. Cook County was obviously hurt by the loss of all-star center and team-leading scorer and rebounder Essa Jacobsen. In addition, the limited play of key reserve Taylor Ryden was tough as she battled injury for most of the season.
The Vikings’ successful season ended with an overall record of 23-5.
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