Thursday, March 28, 2024
The Vienna Grade boys’ basketball team placed 2nd in the Class M State Finals marking the first time VGS boys have brought a trophy home from the state tournament in 33 years. The last time VGS boys’ basketball went to the state tournament was in 2004, where they lost the 1st round to Okawville. The final record was 25-6, which ties for most wins in school history. The 1984 team was 25-3. En route to the championship game, VGS defeated Smithton 43-27, Joseph Arthur 51-45, and lost to Fairfield 52-35 in the final game. VGS would like to thank our community for their amazing support throughout the whole tournament and our reception through town upon our return from the championship game. VGS boys’ basketball include 8th graders: Eli Wright, Brendan Dahncke, Lane Ross, Dalton Nesler, Mason Kerley, Josh Cherry, Clay Fraser, Gordy Muckle, Thomas Craig, Micah Harris, Kyle Harris, and 7th graders Skylar Blankenship and Dawson Hill.

Vienna Rams boys basketball take second in state

By Ryan Wright

On Friday, Feb. 10, at Rend Lake College, the Vienna Rams took 2nd place at the SIJHSAA Class M Boys State Championship. The Rams made history becoming the only team to place at Vienna in state in 33 years.

The Rams played a phenomenal season . Head Coach for the Rams, Adam Hook stated “this is the best team I’ve ever had at Vienna Grade School.”

On Tuesday, Feb. 7 the Rams made the dream of playing in the state championship become reality as the Vienna Rams defeated a superior Joseph Arthur team with a score of 51-45 in the semifinals to advance to the state championship.

After coming off a strong win against Joseph Arthur, the Rams played against a competitive Fairfield team who also had made it to the championship on Friday, February 10. The game started with both teams coming out of the gate, first with Fairfield hitting a quick basket, then the Rams answering with a pick and roll led by Lane Ross and Brendan Dahncke to tie things up 2-2. Josh Cherry opens things up with 4:14 left remaining in the first by scoring and giving the Rams a 6-4 lead. Brendan Dahncke takes advantage of a Fairfield turnover and capitalizes driving to the basket and getting a reverse layup to fall to make it 8-4. Fairfield then connects on a three point shot to trim the lead, 8-7. The Rams finish the first quarter with a score of 10-9.

The second quarter begins and after a Fairfield three, Skylar Blankenship for the Rams scores off the glass to tie the game up 12-12 with 4:36 left. Fairfield being hot from behind the arc continued to hit three pointers to give Fairfield a 19-13 lead. Lane Ross ended the drought for the Rams scoring a perimeter jump shot to trail Fairfield 15-19 with 1:47 left. Gordy Muckle then hit a must needed shot for the Rams with 53 seconds left, to trail Fairfield just by two points, 17-19. Fairfield being a strong and productive team went on a 6-0 run to end the second half with the lead, 25-17.

The third quarter fired up and the Rams meant business as Brendan Dahncke scored and got the foul converting on a three point play to bring the score at 20-25. Micah Harris gets in on the action as he put up two points for the Rams to make it a three point ball game 22-25. Fairfield scored consecutive baskets and were able to end the third quarter with the lead 34-25.

The fourth quarter started underway as the Rams knew they had limited time to play with and needed to get things going as soon as possible. The Rams trying all they could intentionally fouled Fairfield to stop the clock and put them at the line to try and make their comeback. But, Fairfield was too much as they were able to answer hitting almost any shot, free throw, and playing intense lockdown defense ending the game with a score of 35-52. The Fairfield Colts ended their season with a record of 28-0.

The Rams leave the season on a high note though as they still took 2nd place in a very tough tournament filled with incredible teams and competition. Scorers for the Rams included, Brendan Dahncke with 13 points, Josh Cherry with 8 points, Lane Ross with 5 points, Mason Kerley with 3 points, Gordy Muckle, Micah Harris, and Skylar Blankenship all chipped in 2 points each. The Vienna Grade School boys basketball team was coached by Head Coach Adam Hook and Assistant Coach Michael Vinson.

The players who all contributed to the extraordinary 2016-2017 season included- Brendan Dahncke, Eli Wright, Josh Cherry, Mason Kerley, Gordy Muckle, Lane Ross, Clay Fraser, Skylar Blankenship, Dawson Hill, Thomas Craig, Micah Harris, Dalton Nesler and Kyle Harris.