A cold shooting start and some frantic defense sunk the AHSTW Vikings in the Class 1A Substate 8 Final on Saturday night. West Harrison came out on top 59-55 at Thomas Jefferson High School to advance to their first ever State Tournament.

The Hawkeyes took control of the lead midway through the first quarter and ended the period on an 8-1 run to lead 15-7. West Harrison knocked down 3 three-pointers in the second and pushed the lead up to 31-16 by half. The Vikings started to find some offensive stride in the third but the Hawkeyes did enough to keep pace and held a 12 point lead heading to the fourth. AHSTW was able to get the lead down to single digits in the fourth but some timely shots and free throws preserved the Hawkeyes’ win.  One of the big moments late came after AHSTW had cut the lead to 39-47 to get to a single digit deficit for the first time. Brady Melby then hit a three on the other end to take a little wind out of the Vikings’ sails.

West Harrison got 13 points from Koleson Evans, 12 from Mason McIntosh, and 11 from Mason King. The Hawkeyes improved to 22-3 on the season and punched their first ever ticket to the State Tournament. The only time part of the school district advanced to state was Moorhead’s appearances in 1949 and 1960.

AHSTW was led by 16 points from Raydden Grobe and 11 each from Kyle Sternberg and Brayden Lund. The Vikings end a terrific season with a record of 23-2. The Vikings fall shy of their first State trip and will say farewell to two seniors in Raydden Grobe and Jace Peterson.

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