STAFF REPORT
COALMONT — It’s been a heck of a run for the Community Vikings, who, entering Friday night’s second-straight game against Grundy County, had won 4-of-5 and three-straight.
While Community certainly has had a strong finish to the regular season, the Yellowjackets held off Community in a thriller of a regular season finale, 69-64.
It was a white-hot start out of the gate for Grundy County’s Sam Parson, putting the home team on his back in a 25-point quarter to open the game.
Parson went for 16 of Grundy County’s points to open the game.
Community wasn’t without its heavy hitters, though.
Charlie Haskins totaled eight in the first frame and Landon Lovvorn added five more, including a 3-pointer, but the Vikings still trailed 25-18 after the first.
In the second, it was Landon Lovvorn who caught fire and knocked down 10 points, which included a pair of treys.
Even with the offense in rhythm, Grundy County hung onto a 39-31 lead at the half.
Neither offense let off in the third quarter, with both teams combining for 43 points.
For Grundy County, it was Parson and Brady Everett who combined for 17 points, while the Vikings spread 19 points among seven players.
The closely-contested fourth left Grundy still in front, 61-50.
Trailing by double figures, it was Haskins’ effort on the offensive end of the court that allowed the Vikings to make a run at the Yellowjacket lead, while a collective defensive effort held Grundy County to just eight points in the fourth.
Haskins totaled eight points in the fourth and nearly led Community to the comeback win, but Grundy County was able to scrap together just enough offense to deny the Vikings their fourth-straight win.
Parson totaled a game-high 33 points, while Everett added 20 for the Yellowjackets.
Community got a combined 40 from Haskins and Lovvorn, with Haskins finishing the game with 21 points.
The Vikings didn’t help their cause, getting to the free throw line plenty of times, but making good on just 5-of-14 attempts.
Due to tiebreakers, Community finished the regular season as the No. 2 seed and will face No. 3 Grundy County on Wednesday evening.
Community 18 13 19 15 — 64
Grundy Co. 25 14 22 8 — 69
Community: Charlie Haskins 21, Landon Lovvorn 19, Jonathan Lawell 8, Maki Fleming 6, Hunter Hill 4, Jason Williams 3, Austin Stickler 2, Landon Berman 2.
Grundy Co.: Sam Parson 33, Brady Everett 20, Bryce Howell 6, Nate Roberts 5, Landon Parson 3, Dylan Garcia, Carson Magauirk.
3-Point goals: Grundy Co. (4): S. Parson 2, Everett, L. Parson; Community (6): Lovvorn 4, Lawell.
Halftime score: Grundy Co. 39, Community 31.
