Mitchell-Baker no challenge for Vikings

RABBITTOWN - The first-ever East Hall Challenge 'Battle of Champions' turned out not to be much of a challenge Monday afternoon.

The Class AAA No. 1-ranked East Hall boys dismantled Class AA No. 10 Mitchell-Baker 113-73 in a rematch of the 2000 Class AA state final at Valhalla.

The margin of victory was a surprise considering that the Eagles are the defending Class AA state champions.

"We just had a great team effort on both ends of the floor," East Hall coach Seth Vining said. "They came out focused and ready to play."

East Hall has shown at times this year it has trouble getting going early in games. But not this time.

The Vikings (16-3) used a 20-6 run in the first quarter to break a 6-6 tie and quickly take control of the game. They never looked back.

Jarrenda Wheeler led five Vikings in double-figures with 25 points as 13 different players scored. Frank Davis added 22, Kevin Reeves 12 and Shunquise Glenn and Brody Langston each had 11 for the Vikings.

"Our scoring balance has been pretty good all year but it was excellent today," Vining said. "That's what we strive for every game."

The Vikings led 26-12 after the first quarter, 49-33 at halftime and missed a half dozen layups in the first half or it could have been much worse.

But it was the third quarter that left little doubt. The Vikings outscored Mitchell-Baker (9-7) 36-20 in the period to blow the game open. They outscored the Eagles 64-40 in the second half.

East Hall will be off until Friday when it plays host to Flowery Branch in a Region 7-AAA South game. The Vikings will travel to Johnson on Saturday.