Vikings open season at home against Bulldogs

After a 19-3 season ended in heartbreak for the AHSTW Vikings, where they made an appearance in the Regional Final match losing 47-36 to Des Moines Christian, they are back to work practicing with a lot of new faces.
“We are very excited,” said Viking Head Coach G.G. Harris. “There is a different dynamic this year, and there will be a lot of new faces, learning and having new roles. We welcome the challenge and opportunity.”
During their 2022 campaign, the Vikings were led by Brayden Lund with 463 points, Kyle Sternberg with 387, and Luke Sternberg with 163. Lund led with 180 rebounds, Kyle Sternberg right behind him with 178, and Luke Sternberg with 87. Cole Scheffler led the way with 77 assists, Kyle Sternberg with 75, and Luke Sternberg with 50.
Kyle Sternberg, Lund, and Scheffler have all graduated including key contributions to the 19-win season off the bench in Aidan Martin, Abe McIntosh, Ryan Wedemeyer, and Jacob Coon. Few multi-year starters are returning, along with some other pieces that hope to lead the Vikings to a successful season.
“We are fortunate to have a four year starter in Nick Denning returning,” Harris said. “Nick has been a crucial piece to our success over the years, but his role will look and need to be much different, but he is ready to take that step in his game. Luke Sternberg was another starter last year and really came into his own. He is a high level athlete and working to be an overall high level competitor. He will also be taking on a larger role this year, especially offensively. Both of those young men, along with Junior Camden Soukup, Senior Seth Pope, and Sophomore Collin Harder are separating themselves in practice and look to earn some big minutes this year.”
The Vikings only had two losses during the regular season, to Underwood and Grand View Christian, after starting off the season with 11 consecutive victories.
The Vikings will open their 2023 campaign at home Nov. 28 against a Western Iowa Rival in the Riverside Bulldogs, 8-14 last season. They were eliminated in the 1A-8 First Round Game against the Woodbine Tigers. 53-50. The Bulldogs were led by Senior Grady Jeppesen with 404 points, Seniors Aiden Bell with 102 rebounds, and Ayden Salais with 118 assists.
“This is the second year in a row we open with Riverside and Conference play,” Harris added. “It's important to get out quick and ensure the style of play you want to play with. Riverside is a quality opponent, close in distance with a healthy rivalry, so a great opportunity to open our season up. It will be nice to open at home.”
Harris acknowledged what a tough conference they are in, and knows the Vikings will have many challenging opponents along the way.
“Underwood is going to be stout,” he said. “They return basically everyone, and after coming off a semi-final run in football, with a good majority also being basketball players, they are going to be tough and they know how to win, along with being very well coached by Harlan grad Brad Blum. Treynor will push for a top spot in the conference and I look for IKM-Manning and Audubon to be sleepers in the conference. Outside our conference, I see Kuemper being really strong and confident after last year's state tournament appearance.”