The boys’ basketball team defeated rival Walter Johnson 53-47 in a dominating performance Feb. 26 in the first round of the playoffs, improving its record to 14-9.

The win is the Vikings fifth straight and it couldn’t have come at a better time, as the team avenged its double overtime loss to the Wildcats earlier in the season.

The boys came out shooting well, hitting their first three three-pointers and jumping out to an 18-7 lead after the first quarter.

“I thought we came out with a lot of energy,” head coach Chris Lun said. “We executed really well and played like a team.”

Guard Liam Hatch was on fire for the Vikes, going 5-6 from beyond the arc and finishing the game with 15 points. Captain Daniel Lowet provided a strong presence down low as he scored 14 points and dominated the Wildcats’ big men. Guard Robby Lund played solid minutes off the bench and scored five points.

The Whitmaniacs dwarfed the WJ crowd for the playoff game, even on the Wildcats’ home court.

“The Whitmaniacs were fantastic again and this was a good playoff win,” Lun said. “We played Whitman basketball.”

The Vikes take on Quince Orchard Feb. 28 in the second round of the playoffs.