VIKINGS FIND FIRST PLACE MOJO

By Ty Bartell

ATWATER, Ohio — In a crucial Mahoning Valley Athletic Conference (MVAC) Scarlet Division matchup, the Waterloo Vikings boys basketball team triumphed over the Mineral Ridge Rams, clinching a key conference victory.

The first quarter saw a low-scoring affair, with The Rams edging ahead 4-2. However, Waterloo quickly turned the tide in the second quarter, outscoring Mineral Ridge 9-0 and establishing an 11-4 lead at the halftime buzzer.

The Vikings continued their dominance in the third quarter, besting The Rams 17-10 to take a commanding 28-14 lead into the final frame. In the fourth quarter, Waterloo sealed the deal with a 15-10 performance, securing a convincing 43-24 victory.
The standout performance of the night came from Waterloo’s Jackson Eichler, who earned the Player of the Game honors. Eichler delivered an impressive display, tallying 26 points and sinking six 3-point shots. Gage Hawley also contributed with 9 points for The Vikings. On the opposing side, Mineral Ridge’s offensive efforts were led by Chase Moore, who finished with 10 points.

With this win, Waterloo (11-4, 8-2) finds itself in a first-place tie in the conference standings with Springfield. Looking ahead, the Vikings will shift their focus to another MVAC opponent, as they prepare to face the Jackson-Milton Blue Jays (5-9, 3-7) on Tuesday, January 30th, with a 7 p.m. tip-off.

Meanwhile, Mineral Ridge (5-11, 2-8) aims to bounce back when they hit the road to take on the Lowellville Rockets (8-6, 7-2) on the same Tuesday evening. Basketball enthusiasts can stay updated on MVAC action throughout the season, with live games, scores, stats, stories, and more available on YSN!