The girls basketball team claimed the 4A South division title Feb. 4 with a 62-38 defeat of cross-county rival, the 5-12 B-CC Barons. The Vikes record now stands at 15-3.

With this win, the team won first place in the division over Wootton and Walter Johnson, with whom it would’ve had to share the title if B-CC had won.

The Vikings took control with the first possession. They penetrated the Barons’ defense and got several attempts followed by offensive rebounds, until the ball was circulated to forward Avery Witt who scored a jump shot.

“They played a zone [defense] against us which we normally have trouble with,” captain Linn Bumpers said. “But we broke it pretty easily and got in there for offensive rebounds.”

The Vikes did well drawing fouls and shooting from the line, with forward Dani Okon making several trips to the free throw line after relentlessly driving to the basket.

At the end of the first half, the game was close. With just three minutes left in the half, guard Justine Wood scored a three-pointer to put the Vikes ahead 23-19.

The Vikes scored a smooth sequence of shots in the second half, keeping the Barons on their toes from the fast pace of the game.

The girls seemed to trip up the Barons in the second half, as one of the opponents scored on their own basket, marking two points for the Vikes.

The team slowed the game down and kept possession of the ball as the crowd counted down the seconds to victory.

“Because we won this game, we get the division title all to ourselves,” Bumpers said. “It feels awesome, that’s what we were working for this whole season.”

The Vikes will face off against the defending state champions, the 11-4 Gaithersburg Trojans, Feb. 8 at home.