Viking boys continue winning ways at IKM-M

 MANNING – The growth of a basketball program was on full display Tuesday night as the AHSTW boys outlasted IKM-Manning on the road, 63-55, in Western Iowa Conference action.
 The Vikings scored the first 14 points of the game and stormed ahead 18-2 in the opening five minutes, then recovered and eventually pulled away after IKM-M rallied back to take a brief 36-34 lead early in the third quarter.
 To do both of those things in one night – lead 18-2 at Manning and not panic when that lead evaporated – says a lot about the current state of the Vikings under fourth-year head coach G.G. Harris.
 AHSTW improved to 7-1 overall and 5-1 in the WIC, tied for first place with Underwood going into Thursday’s home showdown with the Eagles. Audubon and Tri-Center also have just one conference loss. The Wolves enter Christmas break at 2-4 overall and 1-4 in the WIC.
 Coach Harris cited the maturity of his seniors and the Viking players’ trust in each other as big keys to maintaining poise during Tuesday’s second half.