Giant Communications and JBN Telephone Company Road to Glory, presented by Giant Mobile

A battle of early adversity and challenges hit the Seaman Vikings within the first two-quarters of play, but a quick response before the end of a half, an early leap to start the second, and an incredible closing in the fourth led them to their twenty-ninth consecutive victory, beating Piper 66-54.

The first quarter ended with Piper ahead 17-14, and while the first half ended 30-28 with the Pirates still sailing ahead, the Vikings were starting to shift momentum into their favor. Piper was leading Seaman 25-18 at one point in the second quarter before ten of the last fifteen points of the quarter were bucketted by the Vikings. Piper hit an outstanding six threes in the first half. 

The real Valhalla for these Vikings began in the third quarter when the Vikings were just down by one, 33-32, and would lounge ahead on an 11-0 run to take the lead over Piper 43-33. Piper would cut it to a six-point deficit 46-40, but the Vikings would go on another run to take their biggest lead of the night 56-40 early on in the fourth quarter. The closest the contest would get in the fourth would be 56-49, but the Vikings would put it away with a final score of 66-54. 

The Vikings finished with a 46.9% FG percentage having made twenty-two of forty-seven total shots attempted. They out-rebounded the Pirates 40-30 but did have a negative five in the turnover differential column, and four fewer threes made, with just four total on the game for the Vikings. 

The Seaman Vikings Girls Basketball team is now just two games away from being back-to-back 5A State Champs. They will now play on Friday at 6:00 PM in the semifinals. 

Seaman Girls now improve to 23-0 on the season, whilst Piper Girl’s season ends 18-5 in a heartbreaking first-round exit. 

NAPA Auto Parts in Atchison/Sabetha Starting Line-up and Top Performers’ Stats

Ava Esser: 10PTS, 11RBS, 2AST, 2BLK, 1STL

Jaida Stallbaumer: 18PTS, 7RBS, 1AST, 1 STL

Kinley Wilhelm: 5PTS, 8RBS, 3AST, 1 STL

Anna Becker: 9PTS, 4RBS, 2STL, 6AST

Madelin Gragg: 20PTS, 6RBS, 2AST, 3/5 3PT