Sports
Vinton County Victorious in Every Game Last Week
By: Tyler Corbit
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Each team shares a common goal: win each possession. That becomes win every quarter and then win every game. Eventually, that becomes win every week. The Vikings and Lady Vikings did just that as they combined to go 4-0 on the week.
Last week, the Vikings lost two close games in conference play by a combined four points. This week, they were able to flip the script and win two close conference games by a combined nine points.
First on the schedule were the Meigs Marauders, led by junior Weston Baer. He scored 29 points on the night, but he was no match for the three-headed monster of Ricky Body, Eli Griffith and Gavin Arbaugh. They combined for 57 points in the Vikings’ 74-66 victory over the Marauders. The seniors, Body and Griffith, each had 20 points, and Arbaugh, a junior, added the other 17 to give Vinton County its first win in TVC play.
On Friday, the Vikings traveled to Ben Wagner Gymnasium to matchup with the Nelsonville-York Buckeyes. In a scrappy affair, the Vikings were able to prevail 67-66. Eli Griffith had to exit the game early due to injury and a different player had to step up to fill the offensive void left. This time it was junior Will Arthur who stepped up for the Vikings, with a team-high 13 points. The Vikings struggled all night from behind the three-point line, shooting just 3-19. Despite the shooting woes, Vinton County was able to even its conference record at 2-2 and improve to 3-2 on the season.
The Lady Vikings began their week with a trip to Ben Wagner Gymnasium and escaped with a 61-48 win. Once again, the Lady Vikings were led by their two returning starters: sophomore Morgan Bentley and junior Josie Ousley. Ousley led the team with 17 points and was followed closely behind by Bentley with 16. The girls’ crown in the TVC figured to be a four-team race featuring Vinton County, Alexander, Meigs and Nelsonville-York. The Lady Vikings have now defeated both Alexander and Nelsonville-York on the road and have taken down Meigs at home. Vinton County has an early grasp on the TVC title and looks to take home its third title in four years.
The week was not over for the Lady Vikings. They had a Thursday game and a Saturday game still to be played. Thursday night, the Vikings were leading River Valley 35-10 early in the second quarter the roof began to leak on to the court and the game had to be postponed. When the game will be continued has yet to be announced.
Saturday night, the Vikings had an out of conference matchup with MVL foe Philo and came away with a 51-34 victory. Freshman Tegan Bartoe paced the Vikings with 23 points on the night. The win moved the Vikings to 8-0 on the young season.
Next week, the VC Boys will play just one contest, travelling to Chillicothe for a game against Zane Trace. The Lady Vikings head to Ashville for the Teays Valley Classic on Friday.