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Vikings easily dispatch Whitko in Holiday Hoops Tourney

Huntington North forward Mitch Geller takes the ball to the basket against Whitko in an afternoon game of the Holiday  Hoops Tournament at North Arena on Thursday, Dec. 28. The Vikings won, 63-33.
Huntington North forward Mitch Geller takes the ball to the basket against Whitko in an afternoon game of the Holiday Hoops Tournament at North Arena on Thursday, Dec. 28. The Vikings won, 63-33. Photo by Steve Clark.

The Huntington North High School boys’ varsity basketball team won its first game in the Holiday Hoops Tournament in dominant fashion, routing Whitko, 63-33, in North Arena on Thursday, Dec. 28.

Huntington North, 8-1, moved on to face Northeast 8 Conference foe Leo later that day. The Holiday Hoops Tournament is a two-day event featuring 12 teams from around the state.

Against Whitko, the Vikings built a 19-11 lead in the first quarter before limiting the Wildcats to just five points in the ensuing frame while pouring in 16 of their own to craft a 35-16 advantage. Coach Craig Teagle’s squad upped its margin to 46-23 by the end of three quarters before taking its biggest lead of the contest at 58-28 in the final frame.

Huntington North was led by Trey Williams, who scored a game-high 16 points. The junior did the majority of his damage from beyond the arc, where he swished 4 of 5 attempts.

Juniors Hank Pulver and Sawyer Stoltz added nine points apiece to the Viking cause while senior Mitchell Geller and junior Keegan Bartrom both chipped in eight.

Pulver helped facilitate the offense, dishing out seven assists, while Geller led the team’s rebounding effort, grabbing seven caroms. Geller’s efforts on the glass helped give the Vikings a 33-27 edge in that department.

Huntington North converted 23 of 44 field goal attempts for 52.3 percent, plus 8 of 13 free throw opportunities for 61.5 percent.

Whitko, 4-6, was paced by Brett Sickafoose, who tallied 15 points.

The Wildcats shot 13 of 48 from the field for 27.1 percent, which included a 5 of 24 showing from three-point land. They took just three shots at the foul line, making two for 66.7 percent.