VIKINGS GLIDE RIGHT THROUGH AQUINAS

ATWATER OH-

On what was a cold, but clear Monday night of girls basketball for YSN, including several area teams with their first home games of the year. 

Over in Atwater, Ohio, The Waterloo Lady Vikings looked to make some noise with their first appearance on the network this season. 

That matchup was with The Saint Thomas Aquinas Lady Knights, who had a clear height advantage going into this one. 

With girls like 6’2” Jo Smith for The Lady Knights, you would think rebounding might be cause for concern. However, that was not the case, as Waterloo had the advantage on the glass.

You may not be able to teach height, but you can teach effort and positioning as Coach Longanecker might say for The Lady Vikings. A generous amount of rebounds for Waterloo came off just that. Beingpositioned well for the box out and never giving up on the ball lead to countless offensive boards for Waterloo.

Yes, Waterloo may lack some height compared to other teams. There is something else you cannot teach in basketball, and that is heart, which The Lady Vikings exemplify so well! 

The two teams met in the middle for the opening tip, and Waterloo wasted no time getting to work. As the defense implemented by The Lady Vikings forced so many turnovers that resulted in offensive buckets in the first half. 

Aquinas tried making a halftime adjustment, which they did a great job at, but Waterloo did not take their foot off the gas. Rose Couts and Kaira English both had 20 points for Waterloo, while Abby Mazur pitched in 14 as well, for a combined 54 points of offense between 3 players. It helped propel The Lady Vikings to the emphatic 66-38 victory on Monday.

With a team as young as this, you expect there to be growing pains early in the season. But the Basketball IQ of the seven strong Lady Vikings was the most impressive Monday night. Passing was like poetry in motion, creating a lot of baskets off assists, a brand of basketball that Waterloo can have a ton of success in. 

They will look to continue that success Thursday, December 9th in a MVAC Scarlet Conference matchup with The Lowellville Lady Rockets!

There may only be seven, but sound the horns! Because The Lady Vikings are here!

*Contributed by YSN’s Ty Bartell

Postgame Interview With Kevin Loganecker:

 

Postgame Interview With Kaira English: