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John L. Braese
VALE – It was not the way first-year Vale boys basketball coach Todd Gregory envisioned the year would start. Opening the season at home on Friday, Dec. 1, the Viking boys fell by 20 points to start the year, seeing the visiting Pilgrims of New Plymouth take a 58-28 win in non-league play.
In the opening game of the season for both teams, the first basket of the contest came finally from the Pilgrims at the 6 minute, 10 second mark. Vale finally placed points on the board a little over one minute down the line off a basket by Diesel Johnson.
Both teams then picked up the pace and New Plymouth led 19-17 with the first quarter in the books.
The opposing teams kept it close early in the second quarter with the score tied at the 19 and 21 points of the quarter. The Pilgrims started to edge ahead and by halftime, the Vikings were down 23-32.
Vale was only able to manage six points in the third quarter and the Pilgrims extended their lead to 45-29 heading into the final eight minutes.
“We had some good looks at the basket but just did not hit our shots,” said Gregory. “Turnovers killed us and our game plan to work the ball inside was not followed. Once this team starts to buy into the plan for this year, we will be fine. It just takes a few games learning a new scheme.”
In the loss, Vale saw Johnson lead the team with 14 points. Ethan Mulvaney, Luke McGourty and Damick Eddy each added six points.
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