Boys' basketball rules

The 52-35 loss to Sacred Heart was partly because senior Nik Ajagu broke the team rules by showing up tardy to the finals. The Vikings got offto a slow start and never regained their composure. With many players out due to various injuries, the Vikings hope to fair better when league games start on January 5.

In the semifinal game the Vikings defeated St. Elizabeth, 51-47, in a well-fought battle from both teams.

"It was a close game, and at the end we had some good plays to win it," junior center Beau Glark said. As the team plays more games they will become more comfortable playing with the new strategy that head coach Peter Diepenbrock created.

In the Vikings' first game of the tournament, they destroyed University High in San Francisco. "lt's the first time we had the whole team there, and we played well early," Diepenbrock said. The team showed their capability of playing well when they have a majority of their players healthy.

The Varsity boys had to take a long bus ride down to Santa Cruz only to lose in the fourth quarter 73-58.

"We did a lot of good things, and we were close for three and a half quarters," Diepenbrock said. "Santa Cruz is a very athletic and talented team." The Vikings held the lead at half but lost in the final quarter of play.

In the first game, the boys' Varsity team was without many starters and ended up losing to Fremont 59-43.

"The game showed the team's weaknesses, but [also] showed our potential of getting better," said junior Cliff Andersen. In this game the Vikings were without senior Nik Ajagu and junior Beau Clark due to their Football commitments. "It was our first game and we only had two players that had played varsity basketball," Diepenbrock stated.

The future looks bright for the Vikings with a strong front court led by Ajagu and senior Takumi Abe along with surprise rising star Gerry Hall, a sophomore. An unexpected transfer from Denmark, Andersen will give the Vikings a tremendous burst for their run for the CCS title. Once the Vikings' health improves, they will have a shot at winning league and hopefully more.