After pulling within four points, the Vikings watched Morgan County pull away for a 72-54 victory in the second round of the Class AAA playoffs in Madison.
"We knew we were up against a good team, and the kids played hard," Vikings coach Joe Dix said. "We've had a good season, and had we beaten those guys it would have been a great season. But the kids have plenty to be proud of. They got the program back in good standing.
"And we've got a good group coming back next year that will be capable of some big things."
Included in that group will be standout forward Kyvon Davenport, and the Vikings junior showed again on Tuesday that he can play with the best, putting up 21 points and pulling down 24 rebounds while battling Morgan County star and Tennessee signee C.J. Turman.
"He really out-played Turman head-to-head," Dix said.
Turman scored 11 points, while Mississippi State signee Tookie Brown put up a game-high 25.
Jacquen Hopkins and Antonio Maddox each scored 10 to help lead East Hall.
The Vikings (17-12) pulled ahead 15-14 after the first quarter but suffered a four minute scoring drought in the second quarter to trail 38-28 at the half. East Hall battled back in the third quarter, closing to within two possessions but could not maintain its momentum.
The Vikings did not help their cause at the free throw line, sinking just 8 of 23 attempts.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2014/2/271676