Staff photo/ Laurie Johnson The Vikings beat the Mesabi East Giants 83-36 January 14. Sophomore Ashley Deschampe couldn’t miss a shot in the first half as she scored 25 points in the first 18 minutes of play.
The Cook County girls’ basketball team improved its overall season record to 12-1 following back-to-back blowout wins against Silver Bay and Mesabi East. On Tuesday, January 12, the Vikings won in Silver Bay 84-14. Two nights later, the Vikings beat Mesabi East 83-36 at home to extend the winning streak to five. Cook County has now won five of its games by more than a 40-point margin.
In the first meeting between the Vikings and Mariners in December, Cook County led 59-7 after the first half of play. Just a month later, the big question was: will the Vikings take the young and inexperienced Mariners lightly? It is sometimes tough for a superior team to keep its focus in a game where they know they are heavily favored to win.
There would be no such luck for the Mariners, as the Vikings were firing on all cylinders to start the game in Silver Bay. Without using their patented full court man-to-man press, the Vikings still overwhelmed the Mariners. Defensive steals led to numerous fast break baskets as Cook County took a dominating 62-2 lead into halftime.
Guards Ailee Larson and Christina Nelson both scored 18 points in the half to lead the Vikings. Ashley Deschampe added 11 points as the Vikings were simply too much for the Mariners in every phase of the game.
The varsity starters only played about two minutes of the second half before the younger bench players came into the game for extended minutes. Bekah Laky played an impressive role in the second half as she directed the Viking attack and was a calming influence on the court. The Vikings outscored the Mariners 22-12 in the final 18 minutes of play to win 84-14.
Two nights later, the Vikings played host to the Mesabi East Giants. The Giants entered the game with a 1-11 record. If there were any ideas that the Vikings’ strong play would go to their heads, those thoughts were quickly put to rest as Cook County captured a 38-5 lead just eight minutes into the game.
The full court press of the Vikings was too much for the Giants as Nelson continued her great stretch of play, making numerous defensive plays to get steals while adding multiple assists to teammates for easy baskets. Deschampe couldn’t miss a shot in the first half as she scored 25 points in the first 18 minutes of play. Larson added 14 points at the break for Cook County. In addition to her numerous steals and assists, Nelson added 11 points as the Vikings took a 66-14 halftime lead.
The Cook County starters only got to play two minutes in the second half before the Viking bench took over for the rest of the game. While the Viking bench played a bit sluggish, freshman Stephanie Fenstad-Lashinski played well, scoring her first varsity points in the contest. Cook County pulled away, winning in decisive fashion, 83-36.
Deschampe led all scorers with 27 while Larson added 14 and Nelson 11 points. Brea Boomer and Essa Jacobsen each added nine points for Cook County. The No. 10 ranked Vikings are now 12-1 on the season. They played at home versus Cromwell after this edition went to press. They play this Friday on the road in Floodwood and then are at home Saturday, January 23 against Ely at 2:45 p.m. Come cheer on your state-ranked Vikings!
Come cheer our Vikes!
Saturday, January 23 ·
2:45 pm
Home vs. Ely
Thursday, January 28 ·
4:45 pm
Away vs. Babbitt-Embarrass
Friday, January 29 ·
4:45 pm
Home vs.Wrenshall
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