VALE – The history of the Vale girls’ basketball team is filled with stories of defensive pressure, a brutal full court press and inside play. The Viking team has never been known for hot perimeter shooting. That may now have to change.
Connecting on 11 three-point shots, the Lady Vikings cruised to a 53-26 Eastern Oregon League win over the Nyssa Bulldogs on Saturday, January 18 on the Vale home court.
Fittingly, the Vikings started the game with three 3-point buckets coming from the hands of Matyson Siddoway, Sierra Cleaver and Kalley McGourty. With Ashley Jacobs adding an additional basket from beyond the arc in the first quarter, Vale led early, 16-6 after one quarter of play.
Nyssa, not finding the same success with the long shooting, started pushing the ball inside in the second quarter with freshman Gracie Johnson handling the bulk of the load. Only able to score four points, the Bulldogs entered the locker room at the half, down 33-10.
The shots continued to fall for Vale while Nyssa continued to struggle on offense and as the final quarter started, Vale led 42-19.
As they started the game, Vale ended the game with three 3-point baskets with Siddoway, Jacobs and Riley Johnson scoring the final nine points for the Vikings.
“The ball just kept going in the basket tonight,” said Vale coach Jason Johnson. “Everything just worked. What happened tonight is not going to happen all the time, but was fun to see.”
“We just played loose tonight and found ourselves,” said Cleaver after finishing her night with six points.
For opposing Coach Jeremy Chamberlain, his plan for the night did not include Vale’s shooting barrage.
“It is tough to beat a team that shoots that well from the perimeter,” Chamberlain said. “I was pleased with the spark Gracie gave us tonight coming off the bench.”
For Vale, Siddoway led the scoring with 14 points including three 3-pointers. Jacobs picked up 12 points in the Viking victory.
Photo Gallery – Nyssa v Vale – Girls Basketball – Randy Seals
Coming off the Bulldog bench, Johnson finished with 12 points for Nyssa, the lone Bulldog in double figures.
After a road win over Burns on Thursday and the home victory over the Bulldogs, Vale sits atop the Eastern Oregon League standings with a perfect 2-0 record.
