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Vikes chew and splinter Beaver Dam
Win positions boys for division’s first place

Patrick Whitehurst/WGCN
Viking Doug Forbis takes control of the ball. The Vikings took a 69-31 win over Seligman during the Jan. 24 Williams High School home game.

Patrick Whitehurst/WGCN Viking Doug Forbis takes control of the ball. The Vikings took a 69-31 win over Seligman during the Jan. 24 Williams High School home game.

The evening of Jan. 23 is a moment that the Williams High School Vikings will not soon forget. The boys faced Beaver Dam, winning the game in double overtime with a final score of 49-46.

"It was definitely one of the most intense games I have ever been a part of," said Vikings Coach Tristan Heisley. "We started the game slow, but by the end of the first quarter we were only down by one."

By halftime, the Vikes had a 5-point lead. At the end of the third, the Vikes were enjoying an 11-point lead.

"We had a really poor fourth quarter, though, only scoring 4 points the whole quarter," Heisley said. "We had an opportunity at the end of the game to win, but we missed our shot."

At the end of regulation, the game was tied 39-39.

"In the first overtime, we fell behind by four and it didn't look good, but to the boys' credit, they fought their way back into the game," Heisley said. "Once again, we had the perfect opportunity to score at the end of the first overtime, but missed."

At the end of the first overtime, the score was 43-43.

"The second overtime was our overtime. We didn't score much, but we locked Beaver Dam down defensively," said Heisley. "We got a three-point play from Doug Forbis at a critical time and a much-needed free throw from Jr. Esparza to seal the deal."

Guy Forbis led the Vikes with 16 points and 6 rebounds. Esparza contributed 14 points and 6 rebounds.

"Beaver Dam is a very good team and we look forward to playing them this upcoming Friday at home," said Heisley. "With this win against Beaver Dam, we positioned ourselves for first place in our division of the region."

Vikes slay Antelopes

On Jan. 24, the Vikings played Seligman, winning this game with a score of 69-31.

"I wasn't sure what to expect from the boys after the double overtime game the night before, but they came out with the same intensity they played with on Friday night," Heisley said. "We started out with a press and really hurt them offensively and that set the tone for the whole game."

Doug Forbis led the Vikes with 19 points and 4 assists. Esparza contributed 12 points and 4 steals.

"We just recently put Jr. Esparza into the starting lineup and it has worked well for us," Heisley said. "He has really played well the last two games. This win puts our record at 9-5 and we are 5-0 on our side of the region."

The Vikes played against Ash Fork on their turf Jan. 27. Friday's home game against Beaver Dam begins at 7 p.m. in the WHS gymnasium. Junior Varsity play begins at 4 p.m. On Tuesday, the Vikes face Seligman on their court at 7 p.m.

Ladies enjoy wins

The Lady Vikes faced the Beaver Dam Diamondbacks on Jan. 23. The final score was Williams, 62 and Beaver Dam, 13.

On Jan. 24, the ladies played the Seligman Antelopes, winning the game 47-26.

"The Lady Vikes continue to work on their defense and outside shooting," said Lady Vikes Coach Frank Schulte. "We have some great rebounding and inside defense out of our posts Salina Verser, Erin McNelly and Katrina Plasencia. As for the guard play, the speed and quickness of Ashley Bean, Darrian Quasula, Keisha Reed and Dacota Walker have contributed to a lot of lay ups."

The Lady Vikes played Ash Fork on their court on Jan. 27. The ladies face Beaver Dam at home at 5:30 p.m. Friday. Junior Varsity play begins at 2:30 p.m. On Tuesday, the ladies head to Seligman where they will face off against the Antelopes at 5:30 p.m. Junior Varsity plays the 'Lopes at 4 p.m.


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