Vikings take on Anderson - HERALD PRESS

By Justin Shockey sports@h-ponline.com | Thursday, January 10, 2013

BOYS

Caleb Landrum passes the ball in Huntington North basketball practice on Thursday afternoon.

Both the Viking boys and girlsbasketball teamswill try to add a win after falling in their last respective games.

Last Tuesday the boys took on powerhouse New Haven in a Super Hoops matchup at the Memorial Coliseum in Ft. Wayne. The Vikings ended that game in a 58-54 loss, however, head Coach Rob Irwin said the team learned some powerful lessons in the loss. The Vikings have had a full week and a half to prepare for their next matchup tonight against NCC rival Anderson in what should be a tough game for both teams. The Indians are coming off of a six-game win streak ever since their one-point loss to Guerin Catholic on Dec. 7.

Coach Irwin said his team has been working on consistency this week more than anything.

“We’ve had two out of three good days of practice this week,” Irwin said. “Tuesday wasn’t so good, but Monday and Wednesday were really good. We’re just trying to make sure we’re ready for Anderson to make sure they can’t dribble-penetrate us.

“We need to keep them in front of us because if they get in the lane we’ll have a hard time beating them if they get us split.”

Following the loss to New Haven, Irwin said this was one of his best shooting teams he’s ever coached. He said this week his team has been attempting to get their shooters different looks at the net.

“We just want to keep fine-tuning our offense and what we’re trying to get done,” he said. “We’re adding a few more sets to get some other guys some shots. If we can get some of our bigger scorers some different scorers some open looks that maybe they haven’t been getting in the past we will be ok.”

Irwin said he expects Anderson to be the same matchup it has been in recent years: big and quick.

“They are quick and they are going to be up in us,” he said. “They’re going to put a lot of pressure on the ball and they’ve got the game going up and down against some otherpeople. We’re right back in there we just need to force turnovers and keep them in front of us.”

GIRLS

Kelsey Hollowell warms up at practice for the Huntington North girls Thursday afternoon. Both the girls and the boys were prepping for Anderson on Friday night.

Following a one-point loss on Tuesday girls head coach BreAnne Dyer said she is looking for the girls to play their type of tempo and not buy into Anderson’s tricks.  Since the Christmas Break, the Indian’s are 4-2 overall and 1-0 after defeating New Castle 78-56  on Jan. 5. The Indians defeated Carmel in their matchup by eight points. This will be Anderson’s third away game in their last four matchups.

The Vikings have not played at home since their 61-26 blowout of Ft. Wayne Northside on last Wednesday. Dyer said she is looking forward to returning home to play an NCC opponent.

“It was a long drive to Jay County so it will be nice to be home,” Dyer said. “Hopefully the girls come out strong and bounce back from their loss against Jay County.”

The Vikings dropped Tuesday’s matchup by one point after leading 10-4 at the half. Following the game, Dyer said the Vikings put the Patriots in a positionto winthe game. She said she will be looking for a full-game from the Vikes this time around.

“We’re going to look to make sure playing more of our tempo on Friday,” she said. “We need to be ready to stop the penetration lanes. We have to make sure we can handle the pressure because Anderson will put on a full-court press.

“Anderson a totally different team because they are really quick and very athletic. Jay County played more of our style and slowed things down and definitely made us play us defense.”