Afton’s Lucas Mills (#5) passes the ball to teammate Ryan Wright (#2) with OV’s Lukas Schieferstein guarding him and Payne Wood (#22) providing backup. (Photo by Morgan Golliver)

SOUTH OTSELIC – On Monday night, the Otselic Valley Vikings boys’ basketball team hosted the Afton Crimson Knights in a Section III/Section IV showdown. Both teams met last year at OV, where the Vikings came away with a big 74-54 victory. This time, OV earned the 51-35 win with the Crimson Knights battling back late in the contest.

The Vikings defense pressed hard on Afton, not allowing them to finish and held them to two points in the final possession of the first quarter. OV had a 11-0 run in the first quarter with Lukas Schieferstein hitting a couple threes to help the Vikings get off to a hot start. Caleb Loomis also added multiple threes throughout the game, with one before the break. OV led 28-10 at halftime.

Afton picked up the pace in the second half with Marcus Chavis, Pierce Bushaw, Max Cable, and Ryan Wright finding rhythm offensively. Toni Obeada fought for steals and Dion Bushaw came away with rebounds under the basket. However, the Crimson Knights struggled at the free-throw line while OV’s Ryley Palmer and Lukas Schieferstein made 9-of-13 attempts to help them hold a comfortable lead.

Schieferstein led the Vikings with 23 points, including three threes, five steals, and went 6-for-8 at the free-throw line. Loomis dished out 15 with three threes as well and also had seven assists and three rebounds.