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Lorna Byrne boys basketball finish a stellar season

John Michaels
IVN Contributing Writer

The Lorna Byrne Middle School boys basketball team concluded their season with a 47-24 win over Sacred Heart last week in the Jamie Scott Memorial Gym. The Vikings finished the year with a 7-1 record on the court.
The home game scheduled against St. Mary’s scheduled for Monday was canceled at St. Mary’s request. As a result, the Vikings concluded their season playing just once last week.
Mason Tincher, Carson Bracht, Brandon Porter and River Lahey each scored two points in the opening quarter as Lorna Byrne took a 8-7 lead to start the game. The Vikings fired up the offense in the second quarter and Sacred Heart seemed to have no answer for Lahey as he repeatedly got lay-ups. Lahey outscored Sacred Heart by himself, getting 10 points in the quarter while the Vikings held the visitors to just eight. Lorna Byrne held a 27-15 advantage at the intermission.
Defense was emphasized after the break as the Vikings held Sacred Heart scoreless in the third quarter. Lahey scored six more points in the third and after three periods the Vikings were ahead 37-15. Lorna Byrne, with Lahey scoring 6 more points in the final quarter, won the fourth period 10-9 to end their season with the 47-24 win.
Lahey led all scorers with a career-high 24 points in the game. Boaz Connell tossed in seven points in two quarters of play. Tincher finished with six points. Porter and Ever Ponder chipped in four points apiece. Bracht was held to his two points from the first period, but again played a key part of the victory with his rebounding and stifling defense.
The Lorna Byrne “B” squad also defeated Sacred Heart in a thriller, 27-26. The Vikings held off a late Sacred Heart rally and got a key 3-point from Connell to win the game. The Lorna Byrne “B” team also finished with a 7-1 record for the season.
Connell scored all five points for the Viking B squad in the opening quarter, but the Green and Gold found themselves trailing 7-5 after the opening period. Connell scored five more and Kelvin Williams added six as the Vikings blitzed Sacred Heart 11-2 in the second to take a 16-9 lead into the break.
Sacred Heart had a one bucket advantage in the third quarter, and heading into the final stanza Lorna Byrne held a 22-17 lead. Connell and Williams would be the only Vikings to score while Sacred Heart rolled with nine points. Connell’s 3-pointer made the difference as the Vikings escaped with the one-point win.
Connell led the Vikings with 13 points in the game. Williams hit double figures with 12. Ryan Zhang also scored two points for Lorna Byrne.
With the boys’ season concluded, wrestling and girls basketball will start after winter break. The Lady Vikings are scheduled to have try-outs this week and their season will open after the winter recess.