Lady Vikings advance with win over Trinity

​ The Smoky Valley Lady Vikings held off the Hutchinson Trinity Lady Celtics, 44-26, in the first round of the Sterling Girls Invitational Basketball Tournament on Thursday.
      After jumping out to an 11-5 lead after the first eight minutes, the Lady Vikings pushed that lead to 27-11 by the halftime intermission. Though neither team shot the ball particularly well from the field, 24 percent for Trinity and 26 percent for Smoky Valley, the Lady Vikings helped themselves going 8-15 from the foul line in the first half.
      Tinley Scott finished with 16 points for Smoky Valley, followed by Adrian Hazelwood with 11.  Katja Blanchat finished with eight rebounds.  Trinity, 2-8, was led by Sarah Buerrero with eight points.
      The Lady Vikings, 3-4, advance to semi-final play on Friday against Scott City at 3:00 pm at Sterling High School.  Trinity will matchup in the consolation bracket against Kingman, also at 3:00 pm in the South Gym at Sterling High School.