Sports : Vikettes scrimmage vs. Dunkerton; to begin season Tuesday

Point Guard Maci Griffith takes the ball up court.

Ashley McKenna

Anna Sagan attempts a shot in the second half.

Bethany Stainbrook drives to the basket; she led the Vikettes in scoring.

Chelsey Mier defends against a Raider shot attempt.

Coach Aaron Zuspann speaks to the JV during a late time-out.

Katie Isbell handles the ball for the JV.

Lindsey Cornell

Freshman Faith Pladsen looks for a teammate to pass to in the JV game.

Chelsey Mier scrambles for a loose ball.

Emily Howes-Vonstein

Assistant Coach Nick Sagan gives the defense a sign.

Jarrica Spiedel looks to in-bound the ball.

Grace Milroy battles for position in the JV game; the sophomore also saw varsity action.

The refs watch as Brea Burroughs dribbles toward the basket.

High school basketball fans had their first taste of the sport Saturday evening when the Vinton-Shellsburg Vikettes hosted Dunkerton in a pre-season scrimmage. The VS JV won 55-50, but the varsity lost 55-47 in an evening dedicated to area veterans.

“I saw some good things as well as some things we need to work on,” said Coach Deb Schirm. “Our players did everything we asked them to do.”

The Vikettes led until just a few minutes remained, and were forced to foul the Raiders. The Raiders’ free-throw game down the stretch kept VS from executing its game plan, said the coach.

The Vikettes begin their regular season tomorrow when they travel to Union.

This year’s team is young and small; the varsity roster includes five sophomores, two juniors and three seniors.

“We are still working on the rotation and we will need a lot of help from our bench,” said Schirm. “Overall, I thought it was a very good start.”

Point guard Maci Griffith begins her sophomore season with more size, and after competing in cross country is in the best shape of her career, said the coach.

Senior Bethany Stainbrook led the Vikings in scoring.

Nets for Vets

The scrimmage was called “Nets for Vets,” and included a fund-raiser for the Benton County Veterans Assistance fund as well as tributes to loca veterans.

“It was a proud moment for everyone,” said Schirm. The players escorted veterans to the court at half-time, after presenting each one with a small flag and a thank-you note the player had written.

“The girls enjoyed writing those thank-yous,” said Schirm.

The fund-raising dinner served 200 people, and t-shirt sales, donations and the silent auction of a Harlem Globetrotters basketball all added to the proceeds. Organizers are still tallying the final amount; the team will present the check later.

The veterans honored included the grandfather of one of the Dunkerton players, as well as Schirm’s father-in-law.

Girls, boys team schedules

The VSHS girls just have two home games in December; Dec. 3, vs. West Delaware and Dec. 9, vs. South Tama.

The Vikings, however, play all but their first game at home next month. After traveling to West Delaware on Dec. 3, the Vikings have home games Dec. 6, 9, 13, 17 and 20. The Vikings haven't lost a game at home since February of 2011, a two-point loss to Oelwein in the District opener.

See the Vikettes schedule HERE.