VIKINGS FALTER LATE, LOSE TO ABILENE

Blanchat, Campbell lead Vikings

By Staff

ABILENE – After playing close for two quarters, the Smoky Valley boys basketball team faltered I the final two quarters on the road Friday in losing by 37, 42-79, to Abilene.

The Vikings were only one point behind at 13-14 at the end of the first quarter and still stayed within seven, 30-37, as the teams headed to the halftime break.

Abilene came out and scored 29 points in the third quarter while holding the Vikings to just four to take a commanding 32-point, 34-66, lead heading into the final quarter where they hung on for the final 37-point win.

Some of the stats that hung on Smoky Valley included six blocked shots and hitting five-of-seven at the free throw line, unfortunately they also turned the ball over 32 times of which Abilene turned into 47 points. The Smoky Valley defense also had trouble stopping Abilene’s Brax Fisher who scored 32 points.

Ki Blanchat led the Vikings I scoring with 22 while transfer Taylor Campbell made a solid debut by scoring 16. Blanchat and Campbell also hit all seven three pointers for Smoky Valley with Blanchat connecting on four and Campbell hitting three.

Next up for the Vikings will be to make their 2023-24 home debut as they host Southeast of Saline on Tuesday, December 5.

SMOKY VALLEY VIKING BASKETBALL

At Abilene

SCORING > Vikings lost 42-79

SMOKY VALLEY > 13-17-4-8 = 42; Abilene > 14-23-29-13 = 79.

TEAM STATS >

VIKINGS > 2-FGs – 8/20; FTs – 5/7; 3-Pts – 7/17; Assists – 11; Rebs – 23 (7/16); Stls – 5; Blks – 6; TOs – 32; FLs – 13.

Abilene > 2-FGs – 24/45; FTs – 10/13; 3-PTs – 7/21; Assists – 18; Rebs – 35 (18/17); Stls – 23; Blks – 3; TOs – 12; FLs – 14.

VIKING INDIVIDUAL STAT LEADERS >

Scoring > Ki Blanchat – 22; Taylor Campbell – 16; Braylon Olson – 2; Mason Holcom – 2. 3-Pts Made (7) > Blanchat – 4; Campbell – 3.

Assists (11) > Mason Holcom – 3; Ki Blanchat/Mark Anderson – 2.

Rebounds (23) > Kristian Ryan – 5; Ki Blanchat – 4; Taylor Campbell/Braylon Olson/Mason Holcom – 3; Mark Anderson – 2.

Steals (5) > Mason Holcom – 2.

Blocks (6) > Atticus Pavlovich/Braylon Olson – 2.

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