By Staff
CLAY CENTER – The Smoky Valley boys played four quarters of consistent basketball on Friday at Clay Center which enabled them to record a six-point, 50-44 win.
With the win the Vikings are now 8-5 for the season as they prep to play host to Lyons on Tuesday before going on the road Friday to Nickerson.
After trailing the Tigers 13-11 at the end of the first quarter, the Vikings pulled within one at 24-23 by the time they hit the halftime break. Smoky Valley’s defense held Clay Center to just seven points in the third while scoring 14 to take a six-point, 37-31 lead into the final quarter of play where they gained the final six-point victory.
Once again the Vikings played consistent, team basketball as all four quarters they scored between 11 and 14 points while dishing out 11 assists to teammates on 16 made shots from the field.
Kade Blanchat led the Vikings in both scoring with 13 and rebounds with six while Jerome Autry hit for double digits in the scoring column with 11 points thanks to connecting on three three-pointers. Vincent Pickering just missed double figures with nine points.
SMOKY VALLEY VIKINGS at Clay Center
SCORING: VIKINGS > 11-12-14-13 = 50; Clay Center > 13-11-7-13 = 44.
VIKING TEAM STATS > 2-FGs – 11/27; 3-PTs – 5/21; FTs – 13/18; AST – 11; REBs – 31; TO – 12; STLs – 12; FLs – 15.
VIKINGS INDIVIDUAL STAT LEADERS: Scoring > Kade Blanchat – 13; Jerome Autry – 11; Vincent Pickering – 9; Ki Blanchat – 6; Karson Pihl – 5; Justice Autry – 2; Braxton House – 2; Gus Griffith – 2. 3-Pointers Made > Je. Autry – 3; Pickering, Ki Blanchat – 1. Assists > House – 3; Pickering, Pihl – 2. Rebounds > Ka. Blanchat – 6; Je. Autry, Pickering, Ki Blanchat, Pihl, House – 4; Griffith – 3; Ju. Autry – 2. Steals > Ka. Blanchat, Pihl – 3; Pickering – 2.
(The Staff covering McPherson County Activities can be reached by email at crossdovewriter@gmail.com)