Vikings win season finale over Monarchs
Junior Viking Collin Harder set the tone coming away with 15 points during Thursday’s 41-28 home win against the Denison Monarchs closing out their regular season with two consecutive victories, and winning seven of their final eight games.
“You want to be playing your best basketball this time of the season,” said Viking Head Coach G.G. Harris. “For the most part, it’s been a good run for us. We finally got to that level where we’re playing at a high enough level consistently where the guys know what that feels like. The last week what’s been our biggest focus is how do we execute at a high level, and that’s the next big hurdle that we’re looking to do.”
The Viking offense got off to a slow start in the first quarter with Senior Luke Sternberg scoring the first basket on a layup, but Junior Monarch Blaine Grady made back-to-back 3-point shots, followed by another 3-pointer later in the quarter. Harder managed to cut the Monarch lead by banking home a 3-point shot, but the Vikings trailed 12-8 after the first quarter.
Harder opened the second quarter with a mid-range jump shot, forcing a timeout from Monarch head coach Derek Fink. When play resumed, Harder made another 3-point shot followed by Sternberg driving to the basket and making a reverse layup under the hoop giving his team their first lead of the game.
“My teammates were able to get me open,” Harder said. “I was able to find gaps, and make shots when we needed too.”
Harder made the final baskets of the half on free throws. The Vikings were locked in a close battle with the Monarchs leading 19-17 at halftime.
“We needed to come out,” Harder added. “We needed to be aggressive, and go win the game.”
The Viking offense came surging out of the gate to open the third quarter starting with back-to-back layups from Junior Kaden Jorgensen, and a 3-pointer from Sternberg, forcing a timeout from Fink.
“It’s a game of runs,” Harris said. “When we can get to stack runs upon each other, that’s huge. Within those runs, if there’s multiple guys that are producing that elevates everybody else, and those were very crucial for us. We don’t ever want to relax, but I think it allowed us to kind of settle into that game, and take control of the game a little bit more.”
Harder continued his great night making another two baskets, including a 3-pointer to end the third quarter leading 35-27.
The fourth quarter was kind of quiet with just seven points scored between both teams. Sternberg made another 3-pointer as the Vikings hung on for the win. They close out their regular season with an 11-10 record.
“It was a slow start,” Harris said. “Our biggest thing is learning each other and building that chemistry. That’s been the most fun. Once we learned how to play at a high enough level especially on the defensive end, it really pushed everyone. Every single person on this team, all 16 of them coming to practice are elevating themselves to get 1% better.”
Regionals begin Monday as the Vikings will be on the road against the 13-7 Southwest Valley Timberwolves in the Class 1A – 7 Game. The Timberwolves are led by Junior Cael Hogan averaging 16.8 points and 4.1 assists per game, along with Senior Alex Morgan averaging 9.9 rebounds per game.
“That’s a really solid team,” Harris said of Southwest Valley. “They’re very scrappy. They really like to push the tempo as well, so I think it will be a high paced game. They’re going to be well coached. We know we’re going to have to adjust to them, but at the same time, if you get to this point in the season, it’s probably more about you than your opponent.”
