Vikings knocks off Essex and Villisca

ESSEX — The Stanton Vikings basketball team are off to their best start since the 2008-09 season, following their win over the Essex Trojans Friday night in Essex.

Stanton (5-1) defeated Essex, 48-38.

Austin Becthold and Brent Hanson both had double-digit points in the Essex win. Becthold was the leading scorer, finishing with 14 points on 7-for-15 shooting with six rebounds.

Hanson had 11 points on 4-for-13 shooting with seven rebounds and four steals.

Jeff Marshall and Greg Focht had nine and eight points respectively.
Stanton’s week started last Tuesday when they scored a win over rival Villisca, at Stanton High School, 60-46.

The Vikings took an early lead, thanks to Marshall and Focht. Villisca was down five at the end of the first quarter and trailed 26-20 at halftime.

Stanton started to pull away late in the third quarter and added to their lead for the entire fourth.

Focht scored a season high 23 points to lead the Vikings in the win. The senior was 6-for-8 at the free throw line and had six rebounds and three steals.

Marshall fouled out in the fourth quarter, finishing with 11 points on 5-for-8 shooting.

Fouls were an issue for both teams as they had a combined total of 49 (25 Villisca, 24 Stanton) in the game. Becthold also fouled out of the game as he scored nine points in the win.

Hanson and Greg Marshall each had four fouls against Villisca.

In 2008-09, Stanton won 13 of their first 14 games.

The Vikings played Monday night at home against Riverside. Results weren’t available as of press time. Tuesday night, they’ll be home to take on the Sidney Cowboys.

It will be their final game before the holiday break.