Blue Jays still alive after OT win over Vikes

VILLISCA – If you ask a local of Villisca or Stanton why there is such a rivalry between the two schools, most would say they are a lot like family who lives across the street. They don’t mind each other, but they just live a little close for comfort.

The schools are separated by 10 miles while sharing the district border. Their boys’ basketball teams were only seperated by the two Stanton wins, a two-point differential to their opponent (Stanton won by an average of 7.5 points compared to Villisca’s 5.5). Even the lineups are only seperated by an average of a half an inch, with the Blue Jays edging out Stanton, averaging 5 feet, 11.6 inches

The degree of seperation was minimal also in their district quarterfinal meeting as Villisca squeaked by the Vikings in a 44-38 overtime win.

The Blue Jays fell behind, early in the game, trailing at the half 25-20 but the Villisca defense, led by Jake Eblen who picked up three steals in the third quarter, outscored the Vikings 11-3.

“It usually doesn’t make the stat sheet, but the effort that (Eblen) gave us tonight was a difference maker,” Villisca Boys’ Basketball Head Coach Jim Obermeier said. “We just got on a run coming into the second half which helped keep the momentum going, even in the overtime.”

In the fourth quarter, the Vikings fought back, and even had chances of taking the lead with under a minute left, but struggled from the free throw line, making five of 10 in the game.

The Vikings trailed, 36-34 in the final 20 seconds with senior Alex Whigham on the free throw line. Whigham missed both, but in the scramble for the rebound, he retained the ball and was fouled with 0.9 seconds remaining. 

Whigham adjusted, making both baskets, sending the teams inot an extra period.

The Blue Jays turned up their defense again in overtime, only allowing the Vikings two points, to advance to the district semifinals.

Marshall Dolch and Timmy Myers led the way for the Jays with 18 and 11 points, respectively.

With the win, Villisca will meet Corning in Corning Tuesday at 7 p.m.

The Stanton loss brings the end of a career for six Viking seniors including Whigham, the team’s leading scorer, who averaged 16.2 points per game this season.

Tanner Stubbendeck, another senior, led the Vikings with 55 assists in his final season.

The Vikings also loose Lucas Oster, Zach McCarthy, Matthew Hanson, and Jordan Williams.