Defense, rebounding, and contributions from the bench equaled a 52-31 Viking boys basketball victory at Marysville on December 21.

   The crucial Wesco North win kept Lake (2-3 in league, 4-3 overall) on pace for the playoffs (top four teams will qualify).
   Though Lake shot a freezing 32 percent overall (18 of 57, including four of 11 threes), it held Marysville to an even chillier 24 percent (10 of 41, including three of 14 threes).

   Lake registered a blowout win despite not having a single player reach double-figure scoring.  Ten different Vikings scored and nine different Vikings contributed to the rebounding stats.

   Rebounding was a vital factor in the win.  Lake manhandled Marysville in that category by 44-30 (including 19 offensive rebounds to eight) despite the Tomahawks’ front line of 6-11 and 6-7.

   Lake’s 6-6 Gunnar Eklund used his football player bulk to move aside the opposition, snaring 15 rebounds.  Eklund also dished out four assists, overshadowing his three-for-16 shooting night for just seven points.

   After a 10-10 tie at the quarter break, Lake frustrated Marysville into shooting six for 31 for the remainder of the game.  Lake pulled ahead 27-17 at halftime, led 37-25 at the three quarter mark, then didn’t allow a field goal in the final seven minutes, en route to the 52-31 win.

   Christian Gasca’s dipsy-doodle underhanded scoop shot and his running jumper from the free throw line at the buzzer propelled Lake to its 10-point halftime lead.

   A pair of blocked shots by Lorin Vandegrift and another by Eklund late in the half also factored in Lake’s surge.
   Vandegrift scored three of Lake’s four baskets in the third quarter.  He finished the game as Lake’s “high” scorer with nine points.

   Brady Pahokoa typified Lake’s success off the bench.  He scored just two points but had three assists, five rebounds and two blocked shots in limited playing time.

   Dakota Tomson didn’t make a field goal but converted eight of nine free throws in the second half during Lake’s pullaway.
   Gasca was Lake’s best shooter for the evening, making four of six field goals for eight points.  He also had two assists, six rebounds, a steal, and did not commit a turnover (Lake had 15 turnovers for the game to Marysville’s 20).
  
  

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