A slow start to the second half doomed the Gibraltar Vikings boys basketball team on Friday night as they lost to Oconto 58-45.
Kayin Jackson led the attack early for the Vikings, scoring the team's first seven points while they weathered the storm brought upon them by Cooper Campshure and Trenton Hartman, who combined for 22 of the Blue Devils' 33 first half points. The Blue Devils would stretch their lead into double figures, but hot shooting from behind the arc from Braden Kita helped narrow the deficit to 33-29 at the break.
The Blue Devils flustered the Vikings' offense in the second half with their zone defense, forcing Gibraltar to make longer, higher passes while creating several turnovers. Midway through the second half, the Vikings were outscored 16-4 before Liam Lindenberg and Jeffrey Mize could find their way to rack. The Vikings would never get their deficit in single digits as their month-long losing streak continued on the road.
Jackson led all scorers with 19 points, and Braden Kita kicked in another 12 points from behind the arc to pace the Vikings. Head coach Travis Ward was proud of his team's effort on Blue Devils star guard Carter Koch, who scored just six points thanks to a combination of tough defense applied by Aaron Brey and others and foul trouble. Campshure and Hartman more than made up for Koch's slow night with 18 and 16 points, respectively.
The Vikings are back on the road on Monday when they face Gillett. NEW Radio Sports Network will carry the Vikings' game on Tuesday when they host Peshtigo. Tim Kowols will have the call on 105.1. The GOAT will begin at 6:45 p.m., with the pregame show followed by the opening tip at 7 p.m.
