Game 10 Summary: Vienna 62 Great Falls 45
July 30, 1998 - The Vienna Warhawks 12 Year Old Boys County Select Team overcame a hustling Great Falls team 62-45 Thursday night at Langley High School. This was one rough game in which Vienna had to reach deep down to turn things around. The Warhawks found themselves in a dog fight right from the start.
Great Falls came out in a trapping defense that rattled the Warhawks. Vienna committed 14 turnovers in the first half alone and found themselves down by as many as 10 points. Midway though the half the Warhawks went on a long scoring drought, but luckily finished the half strong closing the gap to four points, 26-22 at halftime. Vienna seemed like they didn’t come ready to play and looked sluggish most of the first half. On the other hand, Great Falls came ready to play and showed tremendous heart and hustle right from the beginning. They simply wanted to win more than Vienna.
At the half, the players were reminded that a high seed in the upcoming tournament was on the line, and that if they played the way they were capable, Vienna would prevail. The second half was a different story, a different game all together. Vienna snapped out of their trance like state and started to roll. They cut back on their turnovers, pounded the ball inside, where they had a big advantage, and played in-your-face defense. The Warhawks doubled their output in the second half scoring 40 points while holding Great Falls to only 19, enroute to a comfortable 17 point win. It was rough sailing for a while, but Vienna was able to stay positive and play smart basketball down the stretch.
All eleven Vienna players scored in the second half, led by Brent Locey’s game high 13 points followed by Kwame Safo (12), Ryan Boyer (8), Brock Boone (6), Brian Landry (6), Sawyer Sams (5), and Ray Sparrow (5).
The win improves the Warhawk’s record to 7-3 and gives them the 2nd seed in the tournament. Vienna will play the winner of the 7th and 10th seed teams on Tuesday August 4 th at 6pm at Thomas Jefferson High School.
Plays Of The Game
Defense - Ryan Boyer
Ryan was 5 feet from a player that decided to shoot a baseline jumper, but Ryan took one step and elevated to block the shot, sending the crowd into a wild frenzy, giving Vienna some much needed momentum in the second half as they were making their comeback run.
Offense - Mark Gentry
Mark went to the left corner late in the game, receiving the pass and immediately drove the baseline beating his man and shooting over their big man for the lay in. What Touch! What Arch! Nothing But Net! Awesome Baby!