Baker’s Speed, Press, Free Throws Overwhelm Vale

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John L. Braese

VALE – The Baker boys’ basketball team used a suffocating press game and pure speed in moving the ball to down Vale 87-47 in a battle of 4A versus 3A on Tuesday, Jan. 31 in the Dave Hawk gymnasium in Vale.

The Vikings did lay claim to the lead early in the game. 50 seconds after the tipoff, Vale’s Diesel Johnson sank a long three to place the first points on the board. At the 6 minute, 28 second mark, Baker found their first points courtesy of Isaiah Jones.

The full court press by the Bulldogs forced Vale coach Colby Shira to call a timeout midway in the quarter but as the first eight minutes came to a close, Baker led 30-15.

The two teams kept it even in the second quarter and at the half, the Bulldogs held a 47-30 advantage.

In addition to easy baskets coming off turnovers by Vale due to the Baker press, the Bulldogs added points going 13-for-13 from the free throw line.

Baker saw 29 points from Paul Hobson to lead all scorers in the game. Isaiah Jones left the gym after a 20-point night and Jaron Long finished with 14 points.

For the Viks, Johnson led Vale with 26 points while Luke McGourty added 14 points, 12 points of those coming from beyond the three-point line.

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