For the final game of the calendar year, the Vikings Prem team hosted Horsforth Hustlers 1.

Horsforth Hustlers started out with two 7 footers, but with both Adam Wright and Ross Paterson available for this game, as well as Andy Capes (able to match them physically) the team had some chance of overcoming the size disadvantage.

The team started of well, applying a 2-3 zone, and as a result managed to protect the middle and secure defensive rebounds. Offensively the York team moved the ball quickly up the court and played an inside out game. With the Vikings focusing on containing their opponents Bigs, the Hustlers moved the ball well and started making three pointers. As a result, the first quarter was a close affair, with the Hustlers just managing to edge ahead with a 17-16 score.

The tight game continued in the 2nd quarter. Hustlers managed to go ahead a couple of times, but both times the home team responded. After the 5th minute Vikings fielded a strong perimeter defensive unit stopping the Hustlers 3 pointers, whilst at the same time playing slightly bigger, by playing both Adam and Ross together. This resulted in the York team going on a 12 – 3 run to close out the quarter.  Resulting in a half time score of 37 – 31 for Vikings.

The strong play by Vikings continued in the 2nd half, but the team from Horsforth pushed to get back in. The home team managed to cling on to the lead until the 6th minute. However, after that, the whistle kept blowing, with one foul after another (including an offensive foul) being called against the home team. Hustlers, as a result had 9 free throws, which helped them to go on a 11 – 0 run to close out the quarter and go ahead 53-49.

Vikings adjusted their defence for the last quarter changing into a 3-2 zone. The offense also reset itself  and the team went back to driving and kicking the ball out. As a result, Vikings went on an 8 – 0 run in the first two minutes of the last quarter to take back the lead. A three by the away team, got them back in the game. The last 8 minutes of the game went back and forth. Towards the end of the game, the Hustlers managed to win a lot of fouls and go to the line frequently. This helped them to go ahead 66-63 with 1 minute to go. A big three by Andy Capes tied the game. A foul by the Vikings gave the Hustlers the opportunity to go ahead, but both free throws were missed. This gave the Vikings another opportunity with 30 seconds to go. The team moved the ball well, until Oliver Barlow so an opening and drove to the basket. He got fouled and as a result Vikings now had two opportunities to go ahead. Oliver made 1 of 2 for the home team to go ahead. Hustlers had 15 seconds to try to score, but Vikings managed to contain them and take the win.

Notes: Ross Paterson had his third game in a row scoring double figures and making at least 1 three. Stefan Marz had a season-high with 11 points. Overall, 5 players scored in double figures.

Game MVP: Andy Capes