Fort Worth, TX - Facing the defending district champion on opening night of district play is never easy, but such was the task in front of the Vikings (18-12, 1-0) Friday night in Hartnett Arena. Led by a stout second half defensive effort, holding the visiting Warriors to fourteen second half points, the Vikings came out on top 39-36 to hold serve at home.
Senior Andrew Cao, led the defensive effort, limiting Liberty Christian leading scorer Jimmy House to four points on the evening. House came into the contest averaging close to 15 points a game, shooting over 40% from 3.
“Cao and Connor are the guts and glue of our team. The big 3, Hoff, Jaden & Mike get all the pub, but those two guys are the heart and soul. They just do their jobs night in and night out. Whatever we ask them to do, whomever we ask them to guard, they just get it done,” stated head coach Dylan Dudley.
Offensively the Vikings were paced by seniors Patrick Hoffman and Jaden Thomas with 12 and 11 points respectively. The Vikings committed a season low nine turnovers which allowed them to overcome an uncharacteristic shooting night from the arc and at the foul line.
“We did not play very well offensively tonight, our execution level and attention to detail was not good,” Dudley said. “We will get back to work Monday and continue to get better.”
The Vikings will return to action Tuesday night at Prestonwood Christian Academy in Plano. Tipoff is slated for 7:30 pm.