It's Vikings again for Bison boys' B-7 final tonight

McCOOK, Neb. — The Grand Island Northwest Vikings have gone from 1-8 to one win from playing for a Class B state basketball tourney berth.

Northwest knocked off Lexington, 46-41, in Wednesday’s Class B-7 subdistrict semifinal at McCook High.

Now the No. 1-seed host McCook Bison await to end Northwest’s quest in the title game tonight. Opening tip is set for 6 p.m.

The Bison (13-9 record) are aiming for their first win since a 58-36 blasting of Broken Bow on Feb. 6.

Most importantly, coach Joe Imus and his boys would love to play in the Class B district finals back-to-back years.

McCook currently holds No. 14 among Class B teams for power points as 16 teams will advance into district finals.

Yet consider Omaha Gross, Blair and Plattsmouth all won subdistrict semifinals Wednesday night along with Northwest (6-16).

The Bison would best win tonight to clinch a finals spot rather than hope for one of those playoff wildcards.

Sophomore Brandon Bykerk’s 13 points led the Viking victory over Lexington Wednesday.

Guard Hunter Jensen tossed in 12 points as Northwest ended its own threee-game skid vs. Boone Central, Beatrice and Mount Michael Benedictine.

Northwest lost to earlier McCook opponents Hastings (63-30), North Platte (61-46) and Lexington (44-42).

The Bison return from a 52-47 home loss to 16-7 Cozad Friday evening.

They’ll count on a strong boisterous crowd at McCook High, where McCook has gone 8-2 this season.

Besides Cozad, the boys’ only other home loss was against Class A North Platte in January.