To say this past weekend has been crazy for Viking boys basketball would be an understatement. It truly had everything. A dominating game on TV, a rough loss, a rankings plummet, and an angry blowout.
The Vikings crazy weekend started last Friday night in a big conference game against Highland Park. Both teams were fighting for CSL North supremacy, with the Vikings looking to continue their six game win streak, and the Giants looking to get an impact win to earn acknowledgement. All of which had the added pressure of being put on TV, with the game being broadcasted on Marquee Sports Network.
The Vikings started off red hot, immediately going on a 16-0 run in the first six minutes of the game. But that run was not all offense as the Vikings flashed a new dominant defensive side that has not been seen all season. North seemed to focus more on creating more turnovers, and limiting Highland Park’s scoring opportunities.
“It’s just what we have been working on in practice all season…it all just came naturally (last Friday),” Senior forward Andy Simon said.
The Vikings would play offense with their defense, and they would cruise to a 63-43 win.
But there was no time to celebrate as the next day, the Vikings had a challenge staring them in the face just one exit north off the Edens in a rising Loyola.
The Ramblers have been quietly in the lower end Super 25 for multiple weeks and went into Saturday with a great 19-6 record. However, they were looking for their impact win over a very credible opponent to rise the Super 25, and put their name on the map. And there was no place better to do it then at the War on the Shore against an over confident Niles North coming off a big victory on TV.
Come Saturday, it was a hard fought game for both sides. Niles North was dominant with their offense, with the big three of Reid Olson, Yairs Irby, and Hunter Gawron putting on a show per usual. But it proved to not be enough as Loyola were able to secure their statement 68-63, win over the Vikings.
Come Sunday, the Vikings found themselves out of the Super 25 for the first time this season, in Michael O’Brein’s Feb. 2 rankings.
“Niles North lost to Loyola, Fenwick to Lemont and Brother Rice, and Curie to Young and Simeon. Those aren’t bad losses, but all three teams are struggling, and it was time for a few new faces to join the rankings,” O’Brein said in justifying his rankings.
Then Monday came around against Schurz. Coming off the the rough loss to Loyola ont top of falling out of the latest Super 25, the Vikings were angry, and it showed against the Bulldogs. North would dominate, winning by 56 points with a final score of 83-27. This game would mark the most the Vikings have blownout a team since they blew out Chicago Bulls Prep by 65 points back in December.
The Vikings still have time to build momentum back into the Super 25, and it all starts tonight, when they go on the road for the final time in the regular season to face off against the Maine East Blue Demons.
