Twelve different Vikings players scored as Gibraltar cruised to the easy 73-34 victory over Wausaukee Tuesday night in Fish Creek to open the WIAA Division 5 Boys Basketball Tournament.
The Vikings used their speed and their height to their advantage as they jumped out to an 18-5 advantage thanks to the strong post play of Will Freidenfels and the three point shot by Jake Schar. Layne Rowley was the only Rangers player who was able to get anything going offensively, but it was too late as the Vikings took a commanding 37-17 lead into the locker room at halftime.
The big lead allowed Vikings head coach Travis Ward to go deep into his bench, resting his starters for the final several minutes of the game as the contest went to a running clock. The Vikings stuck to their game plan however with Nathan Merkel taking center stage and four players making three-point shots. The Vikings' defense limited the Rangers to just 17 points each half with Rowley being the main threat.
Rowley led the Rangers with 14 points while Robby Murray pitched in five points. Dustin Lang added four points and four others registered at least three points. Friedenfels hit his shots underneath to lead the Vikings with 16 points while Schar did a little bit of everything to contribute 14 points. Merkel added 11 and Carl Burgess added nine points. Braden Sitte, Liam Lindenberg, Garett Voight, Cristino Valdivia, Yahir Valdivia, Marshall Maltby Mateo Jauregui, and Jeffrey Mize all scored at least two points.
The Vikings will head to Florence to face the top-seeded Bobcats on Friday night at 7 p.m. Tim Kowols and Bryan Mazur will have the call on 105.1 The GOAT and NEWRadioSportsNetwork.com beginning at 6:45 p.m. with the pregame show followed by the opening tip at 7 p.m.