The
Northern Vikings will not join the St. Christopher
Cyclones at OFSSA in the coming weeks, as the
Vikings lost to last years OFSSA runners up Herman
Griffins 67-55 at Northern High School.
Northern
got off to a fast start from tip off, as Carter
Winberg hit a jumper for two. But the Griffins would
come back with five as Tyler Storie put in two,
followed by Antoine Chandler for two plus an extra
on a foul. But Northern didn't let the Griffins get
away and after Justin Zonneville hit a jumper
rebound, he pulled up for a three pointer to tie the
game at 8-8. Reda Souala would follow that up with a
steal for two, and Tom Dowding would be on the final
leg of quick passes down the floor. But Herman stuck
close to the Vikings, scoring six points at the end
of the quarter, taking a two point lead after one
18-16.
In the
second Mason Blythe would make two for the Griffins
while the Viking shooters went silent. Jon
Ravenhorst would hit a jumper for the foul line for
two, while Souala would drive the lane and put in
two more. The Vikings began to come alove late, and
with a three pointer from Mike Girling and a free
throw from Zonneville, the Vikings managed to keep
the game tied 26-26 going into half time.
Coming
back from half, Matt Barker of Herman put up five
points
quickly, while Ravenhorst answered with a three
pointer of his own. But the Griffins would get it
right back with Storie getting a two pointer and
free throw for three points. Winberg would drive in
two for the Vikings while Storie got a big rebound
and put it back up for two. Girling would hit
another three pointer, but Chandler would get two
more off a drive as the Griffins begin to pull away
from the Vikings, leading after the third 44-36.
Chanlder
started off the final quarter with two more, while
the Vikings Winberg hit three free throws and a two
pointer to get the Vikings to within ten. Chandler
would continue to put in points as the Vikings tried
to climb back in late. But late in the quarter their
shooters were coming up short as the ball rattled
the rim and stayed out. Zonneville would it another
three for 12 points on the night, but Chandler would
hit three free throws near the end to ice the game
away.
Chandler
lead all players with 28 points, while Tyler Storie
had 15 for the Griffins. Souala and Winberg each had
11 for the Vikings while Ravenhorst had 10.
"They are
a very good team," said coach Chris Jones. "They
were OFSSA silver medalists last year, potential the
best team in our region, and I believe that they
are, so we knew we would be in tough."
With the
game tied at the half, Jones says the game swung on
the pressure. "In the second half they wore us down
a little bit."
But Jones
makes note that this years Viking team, despite a
great season in LSSAA, is still a young, rebuilding
team.
"We're
still a little young. We have no 5th year guys, and
that makes a big difference. So we're building. We
knew we were a year away, and this will help us in a
years time"
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