Garfield-Palouse Vikings perfect in tournament play

GARFIELD - The Garfield-Palouse boys basketball team ended 2023 on an extreme high, taking three-straight games in a Colton Christmas tournament.

The boys took down Genesee to start their tournament, then defeated Deary before earning a victory against Valley Christian.

The Vikings were 2-3 in their last five games heading into Christmas break, and emerged with a 5-3 overall record, giving the team much needed momentum heading into the later stages of the season.

All three of the Vikings games over the three days were played in Colton.

The first game was played on Wednesday, Dec. 27, against the Genesee Bulldogs.

The Vikings would work hard to earn the 54-47 victory.

In the game against the Bulldogs, Garfield-Palouse scored 12 points in the first quarter while Genesee scored 11.

The Vikings would take a lead of eight heading into the halftime locker room as they scored 14 points in the quarter while holding Genesee to seven.

During the third quarter the Vikings would be out scored 15-12, but held on to their five-point lead at the start of the fourth quarter.

The third quarter was the only quarter where Genesee outscored the Vikings. Garfield-Palouse added 16 points to their games total while the Bulldogs scored 14. The Vikings would win 54-47.

Landon Orr led the Vikings with 18 points on seven made field-goals. Lane Collier had 13 points, and Bryce Pfaff had 10 points to give the Vikings three double-digit scorers in the game.

The next game for the Vikings was the following day, Thursday, Dec. 28, in Colton. The game was played against Deary.

The Vikings would take the lead after the first quarter, and never look back, winning the game 41-35. The final score would look a lot closer than the game actually was. The Vikings won the first three quarters, losing the fourth quarter by four points, but still held firm, earning their second win in Colton.

The first quarter saw the Vikings down 0-6 early before calling a time-out. Deary was knocking down easy three-point shots to begin the game.

After the time out, the Vikings went on a 9-2 run, leading 9-8 with a minute left in the quarter. The quarter would end with the Vikings ahead 11-8.

Orr scored nine points in the quarter for the Vikings, all on three-point shots, and made them in three consecutive attempts following the Vikings time out.

During the second quarter, the Vikings took an 18-12 lead before a time out was called. The half would end with Garfield-Palouse ahead 20-17 after Deary made a late run.

The run from Deary would end in the third quarter as the Vikings outscored Deary 15-8 to control the game.

The fourth quarter saw the Vikings lead 38-27 before Deary called a time out, fearing the game slipping away.

Deary would make the game interesting, going on an 8-3 run to end the game, but came up short, with the Vikings winning 41-35.

Orr led the Vikings again with 14 points, nine of which came in the first quarter. Collier was the other double-digit scorer for Garfield-Palouse with 10.

Macent Rardon had four points off the bench for the Vikings.

The final game in Colton for the Vikings took place on Friday, Dec. 29, against Valley Christian.

The Vikings stood tall across the four quarters, earning the 52-44 victory. Once again, the Vikings only quarter they were outscored in was the fourth quarter.

The first quarter was a 15-14 shoot out in favor of the Vikings. Orr had five points in the quarter and Collier added four as well.

The second quarter saw the Vikings score 11 points while allowing six from Valley Christian. Orr would score five points again in the second quarter to lead the Vikings, who took a 26-20 lead into the second half.

The Vikings would add 12 points to their total in the third quarter to lead by 10 heading to the final eight minutes of the game.

Valley Christian would attempt their comeback, but was too late, falling by eight to the Vikings.

Orr finished with 17 points on seven made field goals and one free throw. Liam Cook had 10 points on four made baskets and Collier finished with 11.

Vikings head coach declined to comment about the three games.

The next game for the Vikings boys basketball team will be played Friday, Jan. 5, as the Vikings take on the Dayton Bulldogs. The game will be played in Palouse, and will tip-off at 7:30 p.m.