Second half scoring lifts Vikes to victory

By Becky Walz,

It’s a battle for the rebound between Decorah’s Cael LaFrentz and a Charles City player as fellow Viking Andrew Rhodes looks on. (Driftless Multimedia photo by Becky Walz)

Whatever the Viking coaches said in the locker room at halftime Monday night turned the game around for the Decorah boys’ basketball team (12-1, 6-1 NEIC) who trailed by as many as 10 in the first half in the makeup game with Charles City (5-7, 3-4 NEIC). The tempo set by the Class 3A No. 5 Vikes in the second half was no match for the Comets, as Decorah came away with an 88-57 victory.
In a high-scoring opening quarter, the Comets held on to a 28-18 lead. Down 34-27 with 1:56 in the half, the Vikes made a late run to trail by three at the half, 37-34. Then the Vikes hit the switch to take the lead less than two minutes into the third period, outscoring Charles City 26-9 and pulling ahead 60-46 with eight minutes to play.
“Charles City played a great first half but we didn’t guard as well as we could, so we challenged our guys at halftime and they responded in the second half in a big way,” said Coach Jonathan Carlson. “We saw what we are capable of but we need to start games like we finish them and can’t continue to get into such deficits to begin games. We will keep working on this and will improve. Overall we are proud of the boys for responding in second half. Hopefully we can build on it.”
Cael LaFrentz had a monster night with 32 points, 18 rebounds and five blocks. Matthew Bockman and Ben Bockman each put up 17 points while Trey McCain finished the night with eight points and nine assists. Kaiden Quandahl came off the bench to provide a spark with seven rebounds.
Friday, Jan. 26, Decorah will be on the road at New Hampton with tip-off set for 7:45 p.m., followed by a home game against Dubuque Hempstead Saturday, Jan. 27, at 6:30 p.m.

Scoring – Cael LaFrentz 32; Matthew Bockman 17; Ben Bockman 17; Trey McCain 8; Zachary Driscoll 8; Carter Dlhy 4; Andrew Rhodes 2
Rebounds – LaFrentz 18; Kaiden Quandahl 7; B. Bockman 6; M. Bockman 5; Rhodes 4; McCain 3; Driscoll 3; Dlhy 3; Assists – McCain 9; Driscoll 4; Quandahl 3; M. Bockman 2; Louis Bucksa 2; B. Bockman 2; Rhodes 1; LaFrentz 1; Noah Milburn 1; Steals – Driscoll 2; B. Bockman 2; McCain 1; LaFrentz 1; Blocks – LaFrentz 5; M. Bockman 2

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