Hot shooting start propels Viking cagers to 7-0

 AVOCA (Dec. 17) -- Raydden Grobe’s outside shooting ignited a 40-18 start for the AHSTW boys basketball team Tuesday night as the sixth-ranked (1A) Vikings improved to 7-0 with a 78-48 win over Missouri Valley.
 Grobe knocked down four straight 3-pointers to start the game and scored 14 of AHSTW’s first 18 points. Clayton Akers added a pair of threes and Kyle Sternberg and Joey Cunningham had one each during the 40-18 surge.
 The Vikings led 47-26 at the half and supplied the starters with ample rest in the final two quarters when 12 players earned minutes against the winless Big Reds (0-6, 0-5 WIC).
 Grobe scored all 17 of his points in the first half to lead all players and grabbed a team-high six rebounds as well. Brayden Lund scored 14 points and Akers added 10 points and four assists. Sam Porter led the team with six assists and Michael Mantell had four steals.
 Ben Hernandez paced the Big Reds with 14 points and Stevie Kean hit three treys and finished with 13.