Though Belding often has been regarded as a dormant in the O-K Silver Conference basketball standings, the visiting Black Knights gave league leading Hopkins a real tussle Friday evening.

The Lady Vikings pulled out a 42-37 verdict at home against a a team that isn’t anything like years gone by. Hopkins, with the victory, finished a perfect 7-0 half season in league play while Belding now is 5-2.

The Vikings have defeated all comers in seven league contests thus far and they own a 9-3 record overall. They are two games ahead of all Silver opponents. The Black Knights have a more than respectable 10-4 overall mark.

The Vikings boys had a much easier time subduing a Belding quintet that has been struggling, by a count of 69-40, improving its record overall record to 9-4 and 4-3 in the O-K Silver. Coach Jake Jewett said Hopkins played without two starters, Zander Hitzler and Noah Corneille, but both should be back next week.

“It was a lot of fun to see both Kaden Edwards and Nick Schultz get their first varsity points,” Jewett said.

Tristen Perry led all scorers with 15 points. Trent Baugh added 12, Jayden Prather scored 10, and Caleb Bonga chipped in 8 points.

“The scoring was very balanced all around,” the coach added. “It was great to see everyone give energy out on the floor and play team basketball.  We have a group that really roots for one another and gets excited when others do well.”

The Viking boys will be back in action next Tuesday with a non-conference opponent playing at Saugatuck.