While many students were roasting chestnuts over an open fire this winter break, Niles North boys basketball were roasting the competition in a busy couple of weeks for the Vikings.
Just six and a half hours after finals ended, the Vikings had their first game of winter
break, making the trip up to Highland Park for conference play. The Vikings and Giants faced off for the first time this season as number one and two in the CSL North respectively, and were very competitive from the start, mostly due to aggressive defense on both sides. Both teams would combine for 19 total steals, leading to a fairly low final score of 57-44, with the Vikings pulling out the win.
“It wasn’t a perfect performance, [Highland Park] runs their stuff really well. But we kind of wore them down a little bit and [we were] able to get some stops, and get out, and make a few plays,” Viking head coach Glenn Olson said post-game.
Not even 24 hours later, the Vikings met another challenge on the road against Lake Forest. Despite being at a major height disadvantage at every position against the Scouts, the Vikings pulled out a great 61-47. This game was highlighted by great offense. Yaris Irby stood out with 26 points, but as a whole, the team was in a rhythm shooting 58.33 percent.
“We were on the chase like 90 percent of the time…they put us on the run,” Lake Forest head coach Phil LaScala said on the Vikings’ high-powered offense.
This game also captured the attention of the Chicago Sun-Times’ Michael O’Brien, writing a whole article on the game. In the article, O’Brien even went as far as saying that “a trip to the state finals in Champaign [for Niles North is] a legitimate possibility.”
The biggest highlight of the Vikings Winter Break was their performance at the Hinsdale Holiday Classic. Their first game of the four day tournament was a dominating win against Morton, 77-46. This game saw Hunter Gawon shine scoring a game high 26 points. Reid Olson was also prominent in this game in the assist department, sharing the wealth a game high seven times.
The very next day, the Vikings went back and dominated Schaumburg 64-48, with Hunter Gawon putting on a show with 20 points and 13 rebounds to make it a double-double. Reid Olson also showed up big time again, scoring 19 points, five rebounds, and four assists.
The Vikings unfortunately fell short to Hinsdale Central in the semifinal game in a heartbreaking 78-77 loss in overtime. The Vikings played really well throughout the game with Reid Olson and Yaris Irby being key players for Niles North, scoring 23 and 22 points respectively. But what killed the Vikings was their inability to stop Vincas Buzelis of the Red Devils. The brother of Chicago Bulls first round pick Matas Buzelis dropped 40 points on the Vikings, punching their ticket to the tournament finals.
As for the Vikings, they met a familiar foe in the third place game on the last day of the tournament, facing off against Lane Tech. Both teams faced earlier this season, with Tech winning 74-72. But things were different this time around as Reid Olson and Hunter Gawon combined for 56 points and led the way for a third place 64-58 V for Viking Victory. Along with third place, Reid Olson and Yairs Irby would be named to the All-Tournament Team to end 2024 on a great note for Viking basketball.
To start the new year, the Vikings went 1-1 during the last weekend of break. Their win came in the form of a 50 point blowout against Maine East. However, the very next day they would drop a game to Rich Township 73-61, giving North a 12-4 record coming back to class.
As the Vikings go into the new semester, they are ranked 13th in O’Brien’s Jan. 5 rankings, continuing their amazing season. North has three big CSL games due up, starting with Vernon Hills tonight at 6:30. It’s back to back rivalry games, hosting Evanston Jan. 14, then going back on the road for Crosstown Classic on Oakton Street, where the Vikings will look to make it 10 straight wins against Niles West.
