The Tigers jumped on the Vikings as the Tiger’s Aaron Stewart dropped 3 treys that helped Stivers jump to an early 10 point lead.

“They did a good job of establishing control early” noted Viking Coach Allen Mack. “Stewart really came out fast and had three 3s in the first quarter and we even talked about that since he had a couple of big games right before this (game).”

Stivers maintained a 9 point margin at the end of the first and second quarter. The Vikings scratched their way to within 3 point early in the second quarter but were outscored 12 to 6 in the last 6 minutes of the half to trail, 36-27.

Stivers maintained their 8 to 9 point margin in the beginning of the second half and appeared to be poised to break the game open when Nathan Davis threw down a huge alley oop slam with 2:39 remaining. After a missed opportunity for Miami East, Stivers cashed in on an old fashioned 3 point play to lead by 12, 50-38.

The Vikings didn’t fold to the Tiger’s run and to their credit they kept on fighting. Tyler Dunivan started 7 point run to lead the Vikings within 5 points. Richie Miller added a 3 point play and Logan Carey drained two free throws to finish the run which ended with another 3 point bomb by Stiver’s Stewart. Stiver lead by 8 points at the end of 3 quarters.

Davis threw down another alley oop slam to start the 4th quarter but the Vikings never flinched.

The Vikings were down by as many as 10 points in the quarter when Miller began a 9 to 2 run at the 4:26 mark with a deuce. Dan Hickman canned a 3 and Carey scored a deuce in transition like he has throughout the season that caused Stiver’s coach Carlos Robert to call timeout with 2:49 remaining.

Stiver’s missed a one and bonus chance while Miller drained both his free throws on the one and bonus the following possession that put the Vikings within 3 points, 63-60.

Dunivan took care of the Vikings the next two trips down the floor by fighting hard down in the paint. Dunivan’s 4 points only 40 seconds apart put Miami East within 2 points with just over a minute to play.

The Tigers gave Miami East the opportunities needed to make a great comeback by missing their share of free throws down the stretch. Unfortunately, Miami East only hit 2 of the 4 free throws in the last minute and their shots from the field would not fall.

Down two points and with the ball, the Vikings set up a high double screen to for Hickman and his shot missed with 17.9 seconds left.

Miami East fouled and put Stiver’s on the line with 16.9 second left and they miss both shots at the line.

Tyler Beard went to the line for East with a chance to tie the game at 67. Beard drained the first attempt and Stivers called timeout. Beard returned after the timeout and missed the second throw. Dunivan rebounded the missed shot and had two opportunities against the athletic Stiver’s team underneath the basket but couldn’t connect. Stivers gathered in the rebound and the Vikings immediately fouled with 6.9 seconds left.

ME put Davis on the line who made his first attempt. The second shot went long on the rebound and Stiver’s recovered the rebound and that sealed the Viking’s fate. Stivers made one more free throw for the final margin as Miami East’s half court attempt at the buzzer missed the mark. Stivers hung on for a 69-66 victory.

“The biggest thing about battling back is that we finally became the aggressive team on both ends of the court” commented Coach Mack on his Viking’s 4th quarter comeback, “but it was too little too late.”

“I was proud of our guys on how they responded down 10 points in the 4th quarter and to battle back and have a couple of opportunities to win the game. I’m very proud of their efforts not just tonight, but all season long.”

Mack noted that the hard work of the kids and the coaching staff contributed to the team’s turnaround from last years 5-15 season. “I certainly hope that our guys coming back can build on it.”

“I’m tremendously proud of our seniors (Richie Miller, Trevor Coomes, Rickie Vega, Josh Deal and Curt Wolf). I’m disappointed for them that the season had to end. They gave it everything they had and certainly have nothing to be ashamed of losing to a good team like that.”

Scoring by quarters
Stivers……...20…36…53…69
Miami East…14…27…45…66

Stivers
Clements – 9
Davis – 15
Harris – 4
Johnson – 2
McQuire – 12
Sanford – 4
Stewart – 16
Strange III – 7

Miami East
Beard – 1
Carey – 20
Coomes – 5
Dunivan – 15
Hickman – 13
Miller – 11
Vega - 1