Vikings basketball teams win at home

Published 10:43 pm Friday, January 18, 2013

Northwood-Kensett freshman guard Joshua Einertson reaches up Friday for a layup to get his team on the board in the game against Riceville. The Vikings led 28-19 at the half. – Heather Rule/Albert Lea Tribune

NORTHWOOD – The basketball doubleheader Friday night in the Northwood-Kensett gymnasium produced two home wins for the Vikings.

The N-K boys’ and girls’ basketball teams each beat visiting Riceville. The girls won 47-29, while the boys took the nightcap 62-44

Northwood-Kensett freshman guard Shelby Low drives Friday toward the hoop while being closely guarded by Riceville defenders. Low scored five points in the game. – Heather Rule/Albert Lea Tribune

For the girls, the win wasn’t just the third on their current winning streak, it was the third win this week. They beat St. Ansgar and Corwith-Wesley-LuVerne during road games. They’re building up some of the momentum that was perhaps compromised during their holiday break, which included three weeks without games. That was too long, according to coach Daryl Love.

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“Our offense is starting to click again,” Love said. “Offensively, we had great ball movement.

“We’re starting to get back in the flow of things.”

The girls were patient against Riceville and they really looked sharp, Love said. They also got a lot of shots underneath. The team showed things they worked on in practices, but that’s not always a guarantee.

“It’s up to the girls to do it on the floor,” Love said.

They had a good game on defense as well, holding Riceville to just 11 points in the first half.

“We were able to capitalize,” Love said.

The boys got off to a bit of a slow start, but grabbed a lead in the second quarter, and outscored Riceville in each half.

The boys’ team has played well as of late.

“Playing alright, getting better,” said coach Marty Cotter.

He said he’s been a little disappointed in the shooting lately from his team, but they managed to get the job done Friday.

Northwood-Kensett junior forward Brandon Brockman dribbles Friday as he tries to get past the Riceville defense. Brockman was the leading scorer on his team Friday. – Heather Rule/Albert Lea Tribune

The Vikings started out behind, but a three-point play from N-K freshman guard Joshua Einertson got them within a bucket at the end of the first quarter. Riceville went on a scoring drought for the first couple minutes of the second quarter, giving the Vikings a chance to build a lead.

They also beat Riceville on the road earlier this year, 71-64.

“The first time we played them, it was a good game,” Cotter said.

The Vikings have now won two straight.

The girls improved to 10-5 and the boys moved to 6-8 with the wins Friday.

Up next for Northwood-Kensett, the boys’ and girls’ teams both travel to North Butler Tuesday.