FeedsVikings earn 2nd win with late rally
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John Crawford in triple-teamed by Wyandotte on Friday. He led the Vikings with 23 points in the victory.The Inkster Vikings overcame a rocky start to prevail against Wyandotte Roosevelt on Friday, 64-42.
The Vikings found themselves trailing, 6-0, in the opening minutes of the fast-paced first quarter. John Crawford hit a deuce to bring them within three, but Wyandotte cut loose for a string of seven to obtain a 10-point advantage.
Inkster settled down in the second and scored 18 points from five different players. J.J. Snelling, Dushon Staton and Josh Howard scored in order at the top of the frame, knotting the score at 15. Inkster helped itself to a 27-21 halftime advantage with a 12-4 run that included triples by Crawford and Snelling.
Lawrence Matthews had the biggest impact for the Inkster in the third. He scored three consecutive triples to give his team a 36-25 advantage.
“He’s a streak shooter and fundamentally sound,” said Inkster Coach Greg Carter. “When he feels it we want him to shoot it.”
From there Inkster set a pace Wyandotte couldn’t handle. They coasted to a 53-35 lead with a triple by Anre` Goree to end the third.
The Vikings went up by as many as 23 points in the fourth to finish out the game.
“At first (Wyandotte) played extremely hard,” Carter said. “We had to get used to their offense. They were doing a lot of back screening and they have a bunch of good shooters, but I think we clamped down and made them shoot over the top. And I think, more importantly, we were patient on the offensive end. We were able to kick it out and get some rebounds and run the ball.
“We wanted to come out in the third quarter and establish a larger lead and get them out of their 1-3-1 that they play so well and we were able to do that,” he added.
Crawford led the Vikings with 23 points. Matthews added 10 and Michael Bailey and Snelling each added nine. John Barry scored 23 for Wyandotte.
“We’re a young team,” Carter said. “We have a lot of seniors but they didn’t have a lot of playing time last year. I think they’re feeling a little more comfortable playing and that’s a good sign.”
The win puts Inkster at 2-0 so far this season. The Vikings will now be tested with a streak of nine road games on the horizon. Inkster won’t play at home until they host Dearborn at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 30.
Inkster 60, Cherry Hill Academy 54
Inkster won their home and season opener, 60-54, against Cherry Hill Academy on Tuesday.
Matthews led the Vikings with 16 points in the win.
“We didn’t play well in the first game,” Carter said. “(Cherry Hill) played a 1-3-1 zone and we didn’t handle it very well, in the first half, but did better against it in the second half. We played well but not necessarily smart. But it was our first game and Cherry Hill’s fourth. You could tell it was our first game.”
Inkster got a late start due to an elongated football season that produced a state final showing for the Vikings. Carter also coached the football team that consisted of several basketball players. He’s still trying to figure out players’ roles.
“Matthews and Snelling are leaders and Crawford leads by example,” Carter said. “I think we will have more leaders emerge as the season goes on.”
