Viking Basketball
Chaz Edblom scored 11 of the viking’s 39 points on Friday to lead the Viks to a 39-27 win over a tough Harrisburg team. The Eagles started off strong taking a 9-2 lead early, but the Vikings did not let the deficit change their game plan. Coaches credited Edblom’s defense and rebounding for the team’s win. The Vikings are 9-4. The Lady Viks put up 23 points on the Eagles but fell 38-23. The teams will host Sweet Home tomorrow beginning at 5:15 on KCST.
The girls’ wrestling team wrapped up their fifth consecutive week of intense competition on Saturday. They’ve taken on tough challenges at the Coast Classic and Grants Pass Winter Kickoff, both 45-team tournaments, as well as larger events in Reno and Nampa. This weekend, they competed at Dallas High School against some of the strongest teams in the state. Macali Lade and Danin Lacouture stood out, each winning their first four matches to reach the finals. While neither claimed a championship, their second-place finishes were impressive achievements. Up next, the Nick Lutz Memorial this Friday and Saturday will host over 30 teams, with Girls and JV Boys wrestling Friday and Varsity Boys on Saturday.
College Hoops
Oregon men’s basketball remained undefeated on the road Sunday with a thrilling 82-81 win over Penn State in their first visit to State College. The Ducks built a 32-18 first-half lead, fueled by a 14-2 run, but Penn State surged in the second half, taking a seven-point advantage. Key late-game baskets from Keeshawn Barthelemy, Jackson Shelstad, and Jadrian Tracey sealed the victory for Oregon. Shelstad led with 17 points, including the game-winning jumper, while Barthelemy added 15 off the bench. The Ducks are now 3-0 in true road games this season.
The Oregon State men’s basketball team dominated Pacific on Saturday, earning a 91-55 road victory in Stockton, California. Parsa Fallah shined on his 22nd birthday, scoring 25 points, including 13-of-14 from the free throw line. Nate Kingz added 20 points, while Michael Rataj nearly posted a double-double with 15 points and nine rebounds. The Beavers set a program record, going 31-for-32 from the free throw line, and shot 56.5% from the field. A 17-2 second-half run sealed the game as OSU led by as many as 36 points. The Beavers now prepare to host No. 18 Gonzaga on Thursday.
