VIKINGS GET 4TH QUARTER WIN

By Staff

            HOISINGTON – After losing their first four games, the Smoky Valley boys have now won two in a row on the hardwood as they opened the 2023 side of the schedule Tuesday with a 40-34 road win over Hoisington.

            Now 2-4 for the season, the Vikings will be off for a week before hitting the road on Tuesday, January 10 at Hillsboro.

            Smoky Valley opened the game with a four-point, 12-8 lead at the end of the first quarter before Hoisington pulled to within one at 16-15 heading into the halftime break.

            After going ice cold coming out of the break, the Vikings fell behind by five at 25-20 heading into the final quarter of play where they put 20 points on the board while holding Hoisington to just 9, giving Smoky Valley the final six-point victory.

            While much of the stat sheet showed a close game, the Vikings dominated in the paint and on the boards as they out rebounded Hoisington 44-27.

            Kade Blanchat recorded a double-double on the night with 13 points and 11 rebounds while also getting a pair of blocked shots. Both Vincent Pickering and Karson Pihl nearly reached double digit in rebounds as well with eight and nine, respectively.

            Both Gus Griffith and Ki Blanchat each chipped in with seven.

SMOKY VALLEY VIKINGS at Hoisington

SCORING: VIKINGS > 12-4-4-20=40; Hoisington > 8-7-10-9=34.

TEAM STATS: VIKINGS > FGs – 16/44; 3-PTs – 2/14; FTs – 6/14; AST – 9; REBs – 44; TO – 16; STLs – 8; BLKs – 4; FLs – 12.  Hoisington > FGs – 14/55; 3-PTs – 3/22; FTs – 3/3; AST – 8; REBs – 27; TO – 12; STLs – 13; BLKs – 3; FLs – 15.

SMOKY VALLEY VIKING INDIVIDUAL STAT LEADERS:

Scoring: Kade Blanchat – 13; Gus Griffith – 7; Ki Blanchat – 7; Vincent Pickering – 4; Karson Pihl – 4; Jerome Autry – 3; Justice Autry – 2. 3-Pointers Made: Ki Blanchat, Jerome Autry – 1. Assists: Ki Blanchat – 3; Kade Blanchat, Pihl, Ju. Autry – 2; Rebounds: Kade Blanchat – 11; Karson Pihl – 9; Vincent Pickering – 8; Ki Blanchat – 6; Gus Griffith – 5; Ethan Able – 2. Steals: Ki Blanchat, Karson Pihl – 2; Kade Blanchat, Griffith, Pickering, Je. Autry – 1. Blocked Shots: Kade Blanchat – 2; Griffith, Ki Blanchat – 1.

(The Staff covering McPherson County Activities can be reached by email at crossdovewriter@gmail.com)