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Viking defense stifles Norse in big win

A stifling defensive performance helped the Huntington North High School boys’ varsity basketball team steamroll host Northfield, 61-30, on Tuesday, Feb. 20.

The Vikings quashed the Norse offense in the opening quarter, not yielding a single point while tallying 18 of their own to take a commanding lead. Coach Craig Teagle’s squad limited the hosts to eight points in the following frame while scoring 13 to widen its advantage to 31-8 by halftime. Overall, the first half saw Huntington North hold Northfield to 16.7 percent shooting on 3 of 18 marksmanship from the field.

In the third quarter, the Vikings nudged their lead up to 47-19 before outscoring the Norse 14-11 in the final frame to cap the blowout win.

Huntington North, 17-6, was led by junior Sawyer Stoltz, who went a perfect 8 of 8 from the field on the way to scoring a game-best 20 points. Senior Mitchell Geller netted 14 points while senior Joe Stoffel totaled 11 for the visitors.

The Vikings went 23 of 41 from the field for 56.1 percent and 9 of 11 at the free-throw line for 81.8 percent.

Northfield, 5-16, was paced by Joe Halderman, who produced 15 points.

The Norse finished 9 of 32 from the floor for 28.1 percent and 7 of 12 at the charity stripe for 58.3 percent.

The teams finished even in rebounding, with 22 apiece. Junior Hank Pulver led the Vikings with seven boards.

Huntington North also dominated the junior varsity contest, 48-10. The Viking defense ruled that game, too, shutting out the Norse after halftime.

The Vikes, 12-7, got a contest-high 15 points from sophomore Aidan Hosler.