By Steven Volpe
Special to The Sun
For senior Jared Ford, battling down low is nothing new.
The 6’4” power forward is comfortable getting physical to help his team win.
“I’m used to it. I love the competition and feed off it,” said Ford.
The Eastern Vikings have been battling all season and have not disappointed.
They opened up the season at home, blowing out Camden High School, 68–40. The team followed with an 86–66 victory over Winslow.
Their third game against Pennsauken wasn’t as easy, though.
The Vikings led at the half by just one point at 36–35.
“It was way too close. Coach Murphy pulled us together and said if we don’t come ready to play, anyone can beat us,” junior swingman Devon Bell recalled. “We realized we needed to turn on our “A” game and make something happen in the second half.”
The Vikings went on a 19–3 run, distancing the score to 55–38, but the Pennsauken Indians wouldn’t go away. They went on their own run, and pulled within 8 points heading into the fourth quarter. But they couldn’t catch the Vikings, who won the game 74–65.
Senior guard Mike Wilson led the charge with 23 points, nailing five three-pointers. Devon Bell added 14, and forward Jared Ford contributed 12, while blocking 3 shots.
The depth of the team has been a strength other teams cannot match. Seven different players scored, four of them putting up 10 or more points and eight different players got substantial playing time.
“We’re a balanced team and have the talent to win basketball games,” said coach Joe Murphy, who is eyeing a state-championship run this season.
