Sports : Vikes end December with big win at home, 69-36

Brody Beatty's 3-point shot gave the Vikings the lead for good and set the tone for a big win.

Grant Sagan makes a pass for the Vikings against S. Tama.

Brody Beatty works to get under the basket for a lay-up.

Jake Milroy drives through the lane late in the Vikings' victory.

Jake Milroy drives toward the basket.

John Lippmann looks to pass the ball to a teammate.

Jake Milroy made this three-point shot, one of 8 for the Vikes Tuesday.

Lincoln Riffey was fouled on this 3-point shot and scored on free throws.

Lincoln Riffey went to the free throw line after being fouled while trying 1st period 3-point shot.

Riffey makes another 3-pointer for the Vikings.

Logan Williams looks one way and passes another.

Point guard Logan Williams leads WaMaC in assists, says Coach Joe Johnson.

Logan Williams attempts a 3-point shot; the Vikings took more than usual against the ST zone.

Senior Brody Beatty stood for a moment outside the black half circle, with zeros on the scoredboard.

He took the shot.

Swish.

The three pointer was the first of many Tuesday night for the Vinton-Shellsburg varsity basketball team in its home win against South Tama. The Vikings beat the Trojans 69-36, wrapping up their games in 2010 with a 5-2 record heading into the Christmas break.

Beatty again led the Vikings with 14 points. Riffey and Williams each added 11. The team scored 24 of its points on 3-point shots. See complete stats HERE

"Relentless"

Coach Joe Johnson stood for a moment, under that same scoreboard, after the game, pleased -- and he admits, a bit surprised -- at his team's 5-2 record.

"These guys are relentless," he said. "And they know their roles. They're a lot of fun to coach."

Johnson said the Viking point guard, Logan Williams, leads the league in assists, and is one of the league's leading scorers. Against the Trojans, the Vikings faced a zone defense. They adjusted by taking more three point shots -- and making them.

"We took a few more three point shots than even I would have liked," said Johnson. "But we were making them.

Lincoln Riffey's three point shots -- and his free throws after being fouled while attempting a three-pointer --- quickly added eight points to the Viking lead at the end of the first quarter.

The Vikings led, 19-6 after the first period and 41-18 at halftime. They continued to dominate in the third, buildign as 60-25 lead. Coach Johnson began sending in the substitutes as the third quarter ended.

After a two-week rest, the Vikings play three away games within one week in early January, beginning Jan. 4, at Williamsburg.