Vikings win opener in their own tourney
CALEDONIA – Seeded third, the Valley Vikings disposed of No. 6 Bunker in Tuesday’s night’s finale of boys games in the Valley Tournament by a score of 71-55. It was the conclusion of a four game opening night that saw the top four seeds claim their berths in the semi-finals to be played on Friday.
The Vikings showed great quickness and speed, utilizing a full court press to star the game, and its effect was a 7-2 lead, all from the hands of Aaron Dickey. Dickey upon committing his second foul was replaced by Steven Price and J.C. Lawson who each scored six points.
Valley’s 22 point scoring spree in the first quarter gave them a formidable lead that they would never relinquish. Bunker’s only threat came from Dustin Bishop who not only made two steals, but also had two conventional threes for eight points in the quarter.
Lawson got hot in the second quarter from the perimeter with a pair of threes, but it was the Vikings defense that kept Bunker from scoring and allowed Valley to double up the Eagles score 43-21 at the half.
A rough and tumble game was played in the third quarter as both teams picked up several fouls and also combined for 14 turnovers. Both teams struggled in their shooting from the floor in the third quarter, making less than a third of the shots put up by the two teams. Fouls stacked up in a hurry as both teams hit the double-shot mark before the fourth quarter.
Foul shots dominated Valley’s scoring in the fourth quarter. Having only shot 13 in the first three quarters, the Vikings were at the line 14 times in the fourth, making only 12 of 27 on the night. The free throws helped the home team match Bunker’s comeback try with 20 points each, keeping their 16 point lead intact from the third quarter.
Valley would have four players in double figures with Lawson leading the way with 21 points, and Dickey making a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds.
Bunker’s Ryan Ritter led the Eagles in scoring with 16 points, half of which he scored in the last frame.
Valley will play Steelville on Friday at 8:30 p.m. in the semi-finals. Bunker will play Marquand tonight at 8:30 p.m.. in a consolation semi-final.
Cuba 64, Bismarck 43
The Bismarck Indians could not get started in the Tournament’s second game of the day. They posted only two baskets in the first quarter, and the Cuba Wildcats hung on to win a 64-43 contest.
The quick hands of Timmy Lincoln gave the Wildcats fits as he made seven steals in the game with some attributing to breakaway baskets, helping Lincoln to a 17 point total.
Bobby Clifton scored 12 of his 17 points in the second half to share the Indian’s scoring lead. Only four players scored points for Bismarck with Kyle Cole contributing seven points and Ethan Graham scoring the other two.
Cuba was led in scoring by Josh Nix with 16 points, followed by Charlie Brockway and Andrew Setter, both in double figures with 14 and 12 points respectively.
Bismarck will be back on Valley’s court tonight at 7 p.m. to face Kingston. Cuba will play on Friday against the No. 1 seed Viburnum at 7 p.m..
Viburnum 66, Kingston 19
One point. That’s all that the No. 1 seed Viburnum Blue Jays full-court press would allow the Kingston Cougars to score in the first quarter of play in Tuesday’s first game of the Valley Boy’s Tournament. A free throw by Shawn Henry thwarted Viburnum’s bid at a shut-out quarter, but the Blue Jays rode the wave on out for a 66-19 victory.
Viburnum scored 30 points in the first quarter, but Kingston’s game got into gear and the Cougars defense stalled out the Blue Jays runaway, giving up only nine points in the second quarter. The Cougars scored their first basket after 2:30 had run off the clock with Keith Cantrell making a lay-up.
Cantrell would score all five of his points in the second quarter to co-lead the scoring for Kingston with Nathan Boyer and Daniel Hahn who also had five points each in the game.
Viburnum picked up the scoring pace again in the third quarter with Jake Halbert leading the way with all eight of his game’s points. Ten Blue Jays would post scores in the game with D.J. Hamon leading the way with 15 points along with Corey Willhite who had 14.
