Viking Saga Issue 7 Special Insert (2012-2013)

Viking Saga Northwest High School Grand Island, Nebraska Vol 50 Special Issue

Lady Vikings: 2012-2013 Class B State Basketball Champs!

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SPECIAL FEATURE - STATE

Congratulations, L Lady Vikings come together as team to accomplish their goals CourtneyLierman Staff Writer

Every championship story starts out the same. Everyone is boasting about what the champions gained throughout the season, leading up to their major victory. But for the Northwest Girls Basketball Team, it wasn’t just what they gained throughout the year, but rather what they lost.

After a state tournament appearance in 2012, the Northwest Girls basketball team lost four seniors. Though these seniors contributed to the team, the Lady Vikes still had a team consisting of mostly sophomores and juniors.

Aside from losing four seniors, the basketball team lost their head coach and got a new coach who had helped the team in their previous season.

When Head Coach Mike Herzberg took the coaching position, he was in for a ride. The coach had the Lady Vikes in multiple summer basketball camps and a summer league.

This gave the girls a chance to bond both on and off the court, before the season started. When the season started, the Viking girls trumped their first game opponents.

After losing to Seward in regular season, giving the Vikes their first season loss, the team pushed forward on to the holiday tournament. The Vikings rolled through, beating #1 rated Beatrice, becoming Holiday Tourney Champions.

The Lady Vikes remained a steady #3 in wildcard points throughout the season, as well as being rated #3 in the Omaha World Herald.

The Northwest girls team walked into Districts as the #1 seed, with a 21-2 record.

After defeating Aurora in semi-finals, the Vikes took on Holdredge for the district championship.

This was the third time the Vikes and Dusters faced off this season, with the Vikes capturing the previous two victories.

After the Vikings big lead the first half, momentum was shifted in the 3rd quarter.

Northwest lost starting post, Kennadi Keezer, from a serious knee injury.

Holdredge used this as a way to slide past the Vikes in the final minutes of the basketball game, for the second year in a row.

The Lady Vikes received a wild card, reserving them 3rd seed ranking in the state tournament.

After the devastating loss in the district championship, and losing a starter, the girls had their sights set on one thing: Gold.

The first day of state, the Vikes blew passed McCook 61-34.

The Vikes were set to play Seward in the semifinals.

Fans, parents and supporters knew it would be a tough game, but the girls knew they were capable of beating Seward.

They wanted nothing more, than to prevent Seward’s fifth consecutive state title. The Lady Vikes did just that.

After a tight game of back and forth scoring, Northwest pushed through and finished on top. This was a huge win for Northwest and it meant they were set to face off with the other wildcard recipient, Norris High School, for the state championship.

With the victory over Seward, fans and players both knew this Northwest team was capable of much more than imagined. The team stuck together the whole season and they planned to leave it all on the court.

After Norris having the lead the whole first half, including a lead of 14 points at one time, the Vikes dug deep to keep trucking.

The score was beginning to eases out in the end of the 3rd quarter. As the Norris Titans began to slow down, the Vikes pushed the floor to tie the game in the fourth quarter. Northwest had taken over the momentum after multiple forced turnovers and ball movement.

With the score of 47-47 with seconds left on the clock, the game was pushed into

overtime. This got the fans and players of both teams on their feet, wondering who would pull this one out.

Northwest post, Morgan Westphal, fouled out in OT, putting a senior for the Titans at the free-throw line. Suspense filled the air after the Titans missed both free throws, leaving the score 49-49.

The Vikings had the ball but turned it over with seconds left.

Norris was unable to get the shot off, sending the game into Double Overtime.

The Bob Devaney gym roared with cheers and anticipation from spectators, fans, and players.

The teams took the floor for the 3rd tip off of the night. When the Vikes gained possession of the ball, junior Katie Placke sank a 3-point shot, setting the Titans back on their heels.

The Vikes began to pull away, leaving the Titans tired and looking for a basket.

Northwest continued to play defense and move the ball on offense.

Norris tried stopping the flow for

Northwest by fouling McKenzie Brown, putting her at the free throw line four times in double OT. With made free throws securing the score, the Northwest crowd went wild.

Seconds leaked off the clock until the final buzzer sounded.

Smiles and tears filled the faces of the Northwest team as they achieved their biggest goal of the season. The Northwest Lady Vikes won the state title for the first time since 1982, after a huge comeback in the second half.

From the end of the 2012 season to the end of the 2013 season, this Northwest team lost four seniors, a head coach, a starting post and two regular season games.

This team also took 14 girls, and gave up their individualism in order to better themselves as a team.

The Lady Vikes lost a few things, creating a change for their team. But they stuck together through the losses and gained something that most teams wish they had: A State Championship Gold Medal.

BASKETBALL CHAMPIONS

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Lady Vikings

photos by Filip Poreba and Courtney Lierman

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SPECIAL EDITION - STATE BASKETBALL CHAMPIONS

2013 Class B State Basketball Champions

photos by Filip Poreba and Courtney Lierman

Congratulations to the players and coaches, and a big thank you to the student section, cheerleaders, Vikettes, band and parents for an amazing season!