Far left: Sophie Eliasen doesn’t let a little foul stop her from shooting. Eliasen scored 32 points against Mesabi East. Above: Zoe Nonnemacher saw some varsity action recently, playing well at the guard spot. Left: Abbie Crawford put in two points on this play against Northeast Range.
Cook County girls played three games in six days last week, coming away with three wins.
The Vikings had little trouble with an undersized Northeast Range team on Thursday, January 19, in a game played at home.
With the game firmly in hand early, Vikings’ head coach Kelly Senty substituted early and often, playing all 11 girls who suit up for the varsity. The Vikings won 51-15 and could have piled on points if they chose to do so, but good sportsmanship prevailed.
Emily Jacobsen led Viking scorers with 11 points. Sophie Eliasen chipped in 9, Bayley Cox 6, Abbie Crawford 6, Arianna Poyirier 6, Alyssa Spry 4, and Jadzia Crow 2.
“Every game we have a word or phrase during our pre-game that is the focus of the night,” said Coach Senty. “Our phrase was ‘expressing gratitude.’ We focused not just on the X’s and O’s of basketball, but also how we show gratitude in the game… Positive words of encouragement to one another, helping each other up, energy on the bench were all focus points for the game. The team showed that emphasis on the floor tonight and they are really coming together as a team.”
Vikings beat McGregor in double overtime, 53-47
Good thing kids don’t need much sleep because, on Friday, the next day after the game against the Nighthawks, the team boarded the bus to travel to McGregor to face the Mercs.
“I told the girls that there would be games that will come down to free throws and we have focused our practices on trying to replicate the importance of free throws,” said Coach Senty.
In double overtime Sarah shot 4 of 6, Emily 2 of 2 as well as Abbie getting one to
SAVE drop. Those free throws were key pieces to our success.
“Sophie also played some solid defense on a tough number 15 on McGregor’s team.
“The girls came out loose and relaxed during the game despite an 11-point deficit early in the first half. We battled back to cut the lead to within three with a quick pass up the court from Emily to Abbie for an easy layup to end the half.
“The girls were composed and executed their X’s and O’s late in the game. This team is really in a good place at this time of the season, and that win was a huge confidence builder for them. It was a great team effort and such an enjoyable evening.”
Coach Senty also lauded the play of her JV team.
“The JV also got a win after being tied at the half. Alyssa ran her team like a true point guard and Arianna’s ability to create her shot and find open teammates is exciting to see. Paisley also played more physical which is what we need from her and Zoe continues to play with an all-out hustle mentality.
“Both the JV and varsity team are defining themselves on the court and creating an expectation about what it means to be a Cook County Girls Basketball athlete,” said Coach Senty.
Vikings versus Mesabi East
On Friday, January 20, the Vikings took the long bus ride to play Mesabi East and trailed 6-0 before slowly coming alive offensively. Just before the half Sophie Eliasen took the ball coast to coast for a lay-up as the buzzer sounded to send the Vikings into the locker room with a five-point (23-18) lead.
Coming out of the break, the Vikings took advantage of the Giants doubling down low on senior center Emily Jacobsen and quickly pushed their lead to 31-20. Eliasen, who scored some big baskets in the first, torched the Giants throughout the second half, ending with a team-high 32 points, and led the Vikings to a 69-40 win. Eliasen finished with four 3-point baskets.
Emily Jacobsen finished with 20 points, Hannah Toftey 6, Maya McHugh 3, Sarah Toftey 2, Abbie Crawford 2, Bayley Cox 2, Arianna Poyirier 2.
“We took care of the basketball, having less than 10 turnovers for the game,” said Coach Kelly Senty.
“The girls started the game a little slow and we are working as a team to figure out how to start games with the intensity that they play with later in the first half and through the second half.
“The girls made adjustments at half time when we set a focus of boxing out and really took over rebounding the second half.”
The girls next home game is on February 3 when they play Barnum at 4:45 p.m. Come out and cheer for your Vikings!
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