Host Lehman Catholic took advantage of a strong 2nd quarter to have a half time lead but it was the Miami East Boys who emerged the winner in Friday night’s Three Rivers Conference game as the Vikings swept the other 3 quarters on the way to their 8th victory. The Vikings roared to an opening lead by putting in the first 8 points of the game off of a pair of baskets from Wes Enis and Jacob Roeth. A basket and 3 point play by the Cavilers made it 5-3 Vikings. An Enis basket was followed by a Cavalier 3 points play to make it 10-8 Vikings. Roeth would put in a basket for the last score of the quarter. Vikings 12-8 after 1.
It was all Cavaliers in the second quarter as the Vikings would get 6 points, Roeth would convert a 3 point play and a basket along with an Enis free throw while the Cavaliers would pile in 16 points to take a 24-18 lead at half.
The Vikings would put up the first 5 points of the second half on a pair of Roeth free throws and an Enis 3 to make it a 1 point game 24-23 Cavaliers. A basket by the Cavaliers was followed by a Mitchel Kemp basket, 26-25 Cavaliers. The teams traded 3 points with the Cavaliers converting a 3 point play and the Vikings Matthew Van Pelt coming off the bench and hitting a 3 pointer for the Vikings, 29-28 Cavaliers. The Cavaliers pushed their lead back up to 6 points with a 3 and a pair of free throws 34-28. A pair of Roeth free throw would stop the Cavalier run Cavilers 34-30. A Cavalier basket was followed by an Enis 3 pointer to make it a 3 point game, Cavaliers 36-33. A basket by the Cavaliers pushed the lead back up to 5 only to have Roeth to convert a 3 point play and make a basket to make it a tie game 38 all. Cavaliers would hit a 3 while Roeth would beat the buzzer with a 2 41-40 Cavaliers after 3.
The fourth quarter would start with Cavaliers going inside for 2 to claim a 3 point 43-40 lead. The Vikings would take their first lead since 12-10 early in the second quarter when Enis would convert a 4 point play. Vikings 44-43. A Cavalier basket would get them their last lead of the game at 45-44. The Viking would reel off the next 7 points as Connor Apple would hit a 3 and a basket and Roeth would make a pair of free throws, Vikings 51-45. The Cavaliers would not be finished as the put in a basket and a pair of free throw between an Apple free throw to make it a one possession game 52-49. Roeth would put in a pair of free throws to finish off the days scoring. Vikings 54-49 final.
Jacob Roeth led the Vikings with 26 points while Wes Enis put in 17. Connor Apple scored 6 points while Matthew VanPelt added 3 and Mitchel Kemp 2. The Vikings made four 3 pointers with Enis making 2 and Apple and VanPelt 1 each. The Cavaliers made three 3 pointers. The Vikings were 13-16 from the line with Roeth going 10 for 10.
Miami East improves to 8-5 (5-3 TRC) and will host Milton Union on Tuesday in a key Three Rivers Conference game. Lehman Catholic falls to 8-6 (2-5 TRC).
–Mike Jones, Sportswriter
