Both Viking teams wrapped up the week with critical wins to move into their final regular season game this week, a non-league contest against powerhouse Auburn Adventist. Orcas has already secured home-court advantage for their first playoff games on Saturday, Feb. 14.
Girls basketball
On Feb. 3, the Lady Vikings traveled to Shoreline Christian for their second win of the season against the Chargers, 54-31. After their star player scored at will at their last meeting, Viking Coach Gregg Sasan had a defensive solution that paid off – the double team.
“Shoreline only had six players so we ran at them hard,” Sasan said. “We also doubled up on their key player which left our remaining three players to guard their four and the girls did a good job. They really hustled.”
Orcas defense suffocated the Charger offense, helping the Vikings stretch the lead 44-27, starting the fourth quarter with key Shoreline players frustrated and resigned to the bench.
Orcas scoring was led by Kilee Rogers with 19, Hannah Brunner-Gaydos 13, Bethany Hansen and Katy Minnis both with 6, Lilly Miller and Halle Thompson both with 4 and Jessie Nichols with 2.
The Lady Vikings traveled to Darrington on Feb. 6 for a physical 45-32 win against an improving Logger team.
“It was a brawl, plain and simple,” Sasan said. “Darrington came out very physical, but we came out physical too. Lilly Miller really stepped it up.”
In the fourth quarter, Darrington played intent on controlling the paint and shutting down Brunner-Gaydos, but it hurt them. They lost their dominate post after an excessive foul generated a technical. Orcas was able to stretch the lead thereafter. Scoring was led by Brunner-Gaydos with 14, Rogers 10, Miller 9, Thompson 8, Hansen and Joie Zier both with 2.
Boys basketball
The Vikings boys traveled to Seattle on Feb. 3 for a key league win against Shoreline Christian, 74-68. In what Coach Corey Wiscomb called an “electric, fast-paced run-and-gun game,” Orcas guards Pasha Bullock and Jordan Randolph led an effective defensive press and controlled the offense, both scoring 17 points.
“Pasha and Jordan proved themselves to be a force to be reckoned with in the league,” Wiscomb said. “Brother Murphy played solid post and dropped 13. Miles Harlow scored 6 points. Michael Chesher added 9. Steven Bodenhamer stepped off the bench to add intensity to the press and scored 5. Freshman Vanya Bullock continued to be a consistent shooter and put in 7 points.”
On Feb. 6, the Viking boys traveled to Darrington for the their final regular season game, executing a tough fought win at the Logger Homecoming game, 64-57.
“Brother Murphy had 21 points and some of his best rebounding of the season,” Wiscomb said. “Jordan Randolph is the point man on defense and put in 16. Pasha finished with 11 points, 9 from a 3-point land. Miles and Michael each added 6 with tremendous defensive play. Yusuf Duni stepped up and scored 3 points.”
