Sports : NUMBER 1! Vikings reach top of polls for first time in school history

Kelyn Rickels was fouled as he drove to the basket on this play.

Grant Sagan again led the No. 1 Vikings in scoring in the 72-23 win over S. Tama.

Less than two hours before their 72-23 win over South Tama, the Vinton-Shellsburg Vikings were named the top Class 3A boys basketball team in Iowa. The Vikings earned six of the 14 first-place votes in the third AP poll of the season.

Long-time retired Viking coach Ken Stark, who was attending the game, said as far as he knows the Vikings have never been ranked No. 1, although the 1967 team was ranked close behind Cedar Rapids Jefferson.

The Vikings led the Trojans 16-3 after the first period, and 40-7 at halftime. By the time Coach Joe Johnson took out his starters with a minute left in the third the Vikings had scored 58 and had held the Trojans to as many points as they had fouls -- 9. The score was 58-11 at the end of the third.

Grant Sagan led the Vikings with 21, while Kelyn Rickels and Max Kearns each scored 11. Kearns, who is second among all Class 3A players in assists, added six more Monday night.

The Vikings defend their perfect record (7-0) Tuesday night vs. Benton Community.

See the complete rankings HERE.

See complete VS/ST stats HERE.