FeedsInkster closes against Bears
To say that the Inkster Viking hoopsters were struggling through an adverse season would be an understatement.
The team has been without three of its projected starters due to grades and disciplinary reasons. Two other players transferred out of Inkster—and those who have played have been inconsistent in a new system under first-year coach Greg Carter.
Despite the difficulties faced, the Vikings have managed to stay in every game—dropping most of their 12 losses by just a handful of points—on a very difficult schedule that saw them tackle non-league teams like Battle Creek Central, Toronto West, Detroit Cody, Detroit Community and Redford Covenant.
Closing out games has been the Vikings’ downfall all season, but they found a way on Friday. It took an extra period of play, but Inkster overcame visiting Highland Park, 69-68.
“Any time we can get a win it feels good,” Carter said. “It’s been a transition season for us and we’ve been inconsistent, but we’re becoming more balanced and more composed. We’re excited about the playoffs.”
On Friday, Carter and his Vikings found themselves trailing 15-14 at the end of one quarter. They used their fast-paced full-court press to inch ahead, 28-25, at the half. Then, unlike many previous games, Inkster came out firing in the third, taking a 45-35 advantage at the end of the frame.
The fourth was a different story. Missed shots and turnovers gave the Polar Bears the advantage there. Highland park scored 23 points to Inkster’s 13 to tie the game at 58 and send it into overtime.
Things looked bleak as the trend of not finishing games was going to continue in the extra period. The Bears took a five-point lead before the Vikings got things going.
Freshman forward Jamal King scored the winning shot but the game wasn’t over, yet. With about two seconds left, the Bears had a pass that that missed its mark, giving Inkster the win.
If there’s one consistency on the Inkster squad, it’s Johnny Crawford, according to Carter. Crawford finished with 31 points and 12 rebounds.
Cameron Walker scored 22 for Highland Park.
Against Woodhaven last Tuesday, Inkster suffered from the same malaise that has hampered the team all season when they suffered a 56-50 loss.
The Vikes carried a 29-27 lead into halftime. Then they suffered from their third-period doldrums. Woodhaven went up 40-37 at the end of the period and held off Inkster in the finale for the win.
Jonathan Gambril led Inkster with 11. Crawford added 10.
The Vikings remain positive, despite their 5-12 despite the record.
“We knew the season was going to be tough going in,” Carter said. “The guys know that they are shorthanded but they try to stay upbeat. They know that they can make some noise in the tournament.”
Inkster wraps up the regular season with a grudge match at rival Dearborn Heights Robichaud at 7 p.m. on Friday.
