Austin Strickler puts up a shot and scores for the Vikings. (Post Photo by Rickey Clardy)
By RICKEY CLARDY
Sports Writer
UNIONVILLE — The Community Vikings stayed within striking range of the Grundy County Yellow Jackets for three quarters, but the Vikings could not get over the hump as 12 Yellow Jacket 3-pointers compared to none for the Vikings was the difference as Community fell 72-50 in a District 9-2A game Wednesday night.
After the game was pushed back a night, the Vikings fought to overcome a 12-0 Yellow Jacket start in the Community district opener.
Led by eight points from Charlie Haskins, the Vikings clawed back but still trailed Grundy County 20-14 heading to the second quarter.
Moe Berman, Jaxson Williams, and Landon Lovvorn each scored four points in the quarter as the Vikings pulled to within one at 25-24 with 5:23 remaining and had possession of the ball.
Jaxson Williams drives and scores for the Vikings. (Post Photo by Rickey Clardy)
But the Yellow Jackets capitalized from a Viking turnover as Grundy County phenom Sam Parson connected on a 4-point play to widen the Yellow Jacket lead.
Grundy County had four treys in the quarter and took a 41-28 lead to halftime.
Austin Strickler led the Vikings with six points in the third quarter as Community finished with its third straight 14-point quarter.
The Vikings got as close as 11 but could not cut the margin to single digits as the Yellow Jackets took a 55-42 lead to the final quarter.
With the Vikings only connecting on eight points in the quarter, the Yellow Jackets gradually increased their lead. Grundy County took its biggest lead at 72-46 with 2:47 remaining before ending with the 22-point win.
Four Yellow Jackets finished in double figures with Parson leading the way with 23 points.
Nate Roberts netted 15 points while Carson Magouirk had 11.
Dylan Garcia added 10 points for Grundy County.
Strickler had 10 points and was the only Viking player in double figures.
“It’s a big difference between a team that can make open shots and one that can’t,” Coach Robbie Davis of the Vikings said.
“They made 12 3’s and we made none.”
“We give up second chance points, we can’t run offense, and when we run offense, we can’t make easy shots,” Davis added. “Then everyone starts taking one bad shot after another.”
“Guys have to be willing to improve on weaknesses and put in extra time working at a game speed and not just casually going through the motions,” Davis said.
Community is scheduled to host Central Magnet in a non-district game with weather being a factor Friday night and will return to district action at Cannon County next Tuesday night.
Grundy Co. 20 21 14 17 — 72
Community 14 14 14 8 —50
Grundy Co.: Sam Parson 23, Nate Roberts 15, Carson Magouirk 11, Dylan Garcia 10, Reece Strong 6, Gus Williams 3, Landon Parson 2, Warren Langley 2, Easton Rymer, Jacob Crisp, Maddox Parson, Ian Grizzell, Logan Hammond.
Community: Landon Lovvorn 8, Charlie Haskins 8, Moe Berman 6, Jaxson Williams 6, Johnathan Lawwell 2, Austin Strickler 10, Karson Boyce 4, Andrew Tocchio 2, Mason Smith 2, Maddox Thompson 2, Jacob Graham, Zach Leathers, Josh Powers, Logan Reed, Masyn Hill, Brodie Armstrong, Case Davis.
3-Point goals: Grundy Co. (12): Roberts 4, S. Parson 3, Magouirk 3, Garcia 2.
Halftime score: Grundy Co. 41, Community 28.
