By Leeann Tanner - Staff Writer
The Vikings’ match up with Mason County Friday night was postponed due to the weather Saturday. The match up has been rescheduled for Feb. 10.
Rowan’s last game was at Breathitt County last Wednesday, giving the guys in green a week to prepare for tonight’s (Tuesday) face off with Lewis County.
The Lions are 7-12 on their season, coming off a 5-1 run in January.
“We get a chance to go scout them tonight,” Rowan Coach Shawn Thacker said Monday. “They have the Riley kid returning from last season’s run for the region. He is a nice inside-outside guy. He has been out with an injury for most of the season.”
Lewis County is also struggling to play without Terrance Smith. Smith was a key player last season, but was severely injured in a car accident in the fall.
“I hated that that happened to him,” Tackett said. “He is a fierce competitor, and that is sad for his career to end.”
But Lewis’s Head Coach Joe Hampton has turned the season around. The Lions opened the season at 0-8.
“Coach Hampton does a great job,” Tackett said. “They have a very competitive team, it will just take awhile to get things pieced back together. They are turning the corner now and trying to find ways to win basketball games.”
The Vikings are 3-3 on their home court and 7-9 overall.
“Injuries have had more to do with our record than being on the road,” Tackett said. “We have had several line ups all season, and inconsistent lineups have led to inconsistent play. We have played a hard schedule. This month will be harder than it has been.”
The Vikings are slated to face the top three regional contenders (Fairview, East Carter, and Ashland Blazer) this month.
“We are right there knocking on the door, hopefully we can get on the little things down the stretch,” Tackett said. “This is where we started to play well last year, so hopefully we can catch that lightning in a bottle again.”
Tonight’s game at Lewis County is slated to tip off at 7:30 p.m. Rowan will meet Bryant Station at the Menifee Stone Classic Saturday at 5:45 p.m.
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