Hopkins boys’ varsity basketball coach Darrin Smith just had to know he had a better basketball team than its 0-5 record indicated last month. And he was right.
The Vikings captured their fourth straight victory Tuesday night in a 66-42 decision at home over Sparta. So now they own a much more respectable 4-5 record and are 2-0 in the O-K Silver Conference standings.
Two of their losses last month were to undefeated Middleville Thornapple Kellogg and state-ranked Wayland. They lost another to Allendale with just eight guys dressed because of influenza and injuries and they came up just short by two points to Hamilton.
However, Hopkins will have its work cut out Friday evening when it travels to Wyoming Godwin Heights to take on the undefeated Wolverines, ranked No. 3 in the state Class B Associated Press poll this week.
Hopkins took control of this one in the opening stanz, racing out to a 22-11 lead and it was up 30-16 at halftime.
The Vikings were blessed with solid offensive production from seniors Ryan Pierce and Tyler Schulz, both of whom tallied 19 points and Jake Saap made a nice contribution with 14. Pierce also had five assists Saap and Schulz eight rebounds apiece.
Jordan Avril scored 14 points and Jacob Shivers 12 for the Spartans.