The boys basketball team’s record fell to 4-2 Monday evening after a 40-36 loss to crosstown rival B-CC.
The Barons, now also 4-2 on the season, came into the game strong by opening with an 8-0 run. The Vikings then rallied back, and by then end of the first quarter the Vikes cut down the Baron lead to 12-10.
During the second quarter, the Barons tightened their defensive perimeter, with 6’10” center Tyjhai Byers staying inside the paint to corral rebounds and protect the rim.
“[Byers] was always in the passing lanes and had three dunks,” small Forward CK Koumbourlis said. “On defense he was so active. We really struggled to create plays on offense.”
The Barons went into halftime with a 19-14 lead after a deep buzzer-beater three-pointer to close the first half. The Vikings then struggled to close the gap early in the second half.
“Our offense was not as efficient as it could have been, and we opened up poorly,” power forward and team captain George Wilson said.
The Vikings came closest to regaining the lead at the end of the fourth quarter. The Vikes had the ball with 35 seconds to play and down by one , but couldn’t convert.
With 10.6 seconds left in the game and down by two, the Vikings were able to take back possession for one last scoring opportunity.
The Vikings gave the ball to power forward Max Oppenheim, who rushed the ball down the court. In the paint, a Viking pass was picked off by Byers, who was immediately fouled.
Byers made the ensuing free throws, making it a two possession game with just two seconds remaining on the clock and securing the win for B-CC.
Over winter break the Vikings play in the Paint Branch Invitational Tournament. Their first game is against New Town High School next Tuesday.
After break the Vikings return home to face the 3-1 Landon Bears Jan. 5.
