Basketball games update

The Lady Vikings lost to the LaConner Braves 52-38 after a promising start and an eight point lead at halftime on Jan. 10. The Braves stepped up their game in the second half, but the Vikings lacked the fresh players to keep pace.

Girls’ team

by MARTY ZIER

Sports contributor

The Lady Vikings lost to the LaConner Braves 52-38 after a promising start and an eight point lead at halftime on Jan. 10. The Braves stepped up their game in the second half, but the Vikings lacked the fresh players to keep pace.

“Well, we had a good first half but in the second half they just ran away. I think we just ran out of gas, we just ran out of legs. LaConner is tough,” said coach Gregg Sasan.

Orcas scoring was led by Hannah Gaydos with 17, Bella Nigretto 6, Shelbi Rogers 6,  Alicia Susol 6, Kilee Rogers 2 and Arianna Dean with 1.

The Lady Vikings traveled to Lopez and rebounded for a dominate win against the Lobos 64-29 on Jan. 11.

“We wanted to come out and take out our aggressions after yesterday’s loss,” Sasan said. “Sometimes we don’t play well back to back, so we wanted to have a quick start and control the game with a the full press.”

The Vikings blasted out of the gate with a 22-5 first quarter lead and stretched it to 36-11 at half as Orcas out-shot the Lobos, controlled the boards and forced turnovers with a full court press.

Orcas scoring was led by Shelbi Rogers with 22, Hannah Gaydos 9, Alicia Susol 9, Bella Nigretto 7, Kilee Rogers 5 and Haley Thompson 5, Caitlyn Holley 2 and Aliza Diepenbrock 1.

The Vikings girls and boys travel next to Darrington to face the Loggers.

Boys’ team

by Jack Russillo

High school senior

The Viking boys lost their second league game of the season against the LaConner Braves 29-76 on Jan. 10.

The Vikings, short on players, challenged the reigning league champions and shot well from the field in the first half, especially three-pointers. The Vikings, behind 9-13 at the end of the first quarter, continued to fight the Braves’ full court pressure and finished the first half only down by 11.

Orcas’ scoring was led by Jack Russillo with 11, Aidan Kruse 8, Pasha Bullock 6, and Miles Harlow 4.

The Vikings traveled to face the rival Lopez Lobos and came back with a 45-29 win on Jan. 11. The Vikings started off slowly, but played solid defense against the Lobos and entered halftime trailing 12-14. The Vikings stepped up on both ends of the court and led 29-20 at half. The Vikings continued to dismantle the Lobos in the second half and increase their lead until the final buzzer sounded.

“We played well but we still need to work on our focus and intensity,” said coach Josh Mayson.

Orcas scoring was led by Bullock with 12, Russillo 11, Kruse 6, Brother Murphy 6, Wayne Foster 5, Harlow 5, and Jay Zier 2.