Sports : Viking basketball: Varsity wins, 63-45; sophs beat ‘Cats, 58-54

Viking John Lippmann watches Bobcat Zach Twedt chase a ball as it goes out of bounds.

Logan Williams drives toward the basket.

Brody Beatty scored on this shot.

The Viking crowd gestures their hope for a good shot as Gunner Tranel prepares for a free throw.

Gunner Tranel leaps to haul in a rebound against Benton Tuesday in Vinton.

Jake Dyson moves toward the basket but was fouled before making a shot.

Jake Dyson and Logan Williams position themselves to rebound.

Dyson's free throws extended the Viking lead to 15 in the fourth quarter.

John Lippmann moves the ball toward the basket.

Lippmann passes to a teammate during contest against Bobcats.

Lippmann takes a shot in Vikings win over Benton Tuesday.

Logan Williams attempts to swat the ball away from a Bobcat.

Players seek to position themselves for a rebound.

Grant Sagan dribbles downcourt.

Grant Sagan scored two for the Vikings with this layup.

Sagan scrambles for a loose ball.

With the victory secure, the Viking starters sit on the bench, encouraging their teammates.

     It’s the night for one of the big rivalries of the season for the Vinton-Shellsburg Vikings, who host the Benton Community Bobcats tonight. While the boys play at Vinton, the girls travel to Van Horne.

     The sophomore game was tied going into the last minute, but Max Griffith scored the go-ahead points on a layup with 13.9 seconds left. The Bobcats had one more chance to tie the game, but Nolan Sagan blocked a shot. Griffifth was fouled, and went to the line with .9 seconds left. His shots gave the sophomores their final margin of 58-54.

VARSITY GAME

The Vikings varsity won, 63-45, after leading by just 2 at the end of the first half. 

The Vikings led 9-8, at the end of the first quarter, and 23-21 at halftime.

The game stayed close in the third, but the Vikes pulled away  in the final frame. Brody Beatty led the Vikings with 20 points, while Jake Dyson added 15. 

GIRLS GAME

While the Vikings were winning by 18, the VIkettes faced a more difficult time, losing at Benton, 45-35. The loss ends their four-game winning streak. 

FRIDAY GAMES

On Friday, the boys host Waterloo Columbus, while the girls travel there. 

---Thanks for the heads up on the corrections! Ed