Vikings inch closer to KLAA division crown

Walled Lake Central moved closer to clinching the Kensington Lakes Activities Association (KLAA) North Division title with a 40-32 victory at rival Walled Lake Western on Friday, Feb. 4.

The Vikings are currently 11-3 overall and 7-1 in the KLAA North, with Waterford Kettering the closest team to them at 4-3. The Captains were scheduled to play Huron Valley Lakeland on Monday, Feb. 7 after press time and a Kettering loss would have clinched the division for Central.

Against Western (3-10, 1-6) on Friday, Central trailed 10-6 at the end of the first quarter, but went on a 9-6 run in the second quarter and went into the locker room down 16-15 at halftime.

After both teams scored 11 points each in the third quarter, the Vikings jumped the Warriors by outscoring them 14-5 in the fourth quarter to come away with a big victory on the road.

Adam Coric had 9 points to lead the Vikings, while Hayden Coe had 8.

The Warriors were led by Korey Wade with 12 points.

“We are back to playing Warrior defense, and we are holding teams down with great defense,” said Western Head Coach Lee Bailey. “Now we need to convert our attempts to baskets. We have great shots and must finish by putting the ball in the basket.”

Prior to last Friday’s win, Central suffered its first division setback in a 44-39 loss at Walled Lake Northern on Tuesday, Feb. 1.

Central led 17-15 at halftime, but was outscored by the Knights, 29-22 in the second half.

Zac Leimbach led Central with 14 points while K.J. Schultz had 8 points and Adam Coric had 6.

Jared Sheena and Kevin Piper each had 9 points to lead Northern.

Western was scheduled to play at Waterford Mott on Tuesday, Feb. 1, but the game was postponed because of inclement weather.

Western hosted Huron Valley Lakeland on Tuesday, Feb. 8 after press time and will play at Mott tonight, Wednesday, Feb. 9, in a makeup game before playing at Walled Lake Northern on Friday, Feb. 11.

As for Central, it hosted Mott on Tuesday, Feb. 8 and will wrap up the KLAA North Division schedule by hosting Waterford Kettering on Friday, Feb. 11.