By Chris Proctor

SAN PEDRO — The South Tahoe High boys basketball team is in Southern California for the third annual Pirate Shoot-out.

This is the third year South Tahoe has participated in this tournament. The varsity team opened on Monday night against Hamilton High School of Los Angeles. The Vikings got behind early against a talented and fast-paced Hamilton team. The Vikings rallied to make it a game in the fourth quarter when junior guard Rylan Tepper sparked a come-back attempt when scored six points in a row off of Hamilton turnovers.

Unfortunately, the Vikings could not sustain the comeback effort and fell 62-48.

Peter Pielaet-Strayer led the Vikings with 19 points and 13 rebounds. Sophomore Kyante Wilson also had a strong game with eight points.

The Vikings played against Community Harvest of Sherman Oaks today at noon. The Vikings got out to a quick start with tenacious defense going up 12-0. Community Harvest countered with solid play from two players who scored 35 points between them.

The Vikings continued to pour on the pressure with their press and converted on the forced turnovers winning 67-46.

Pielaet-Strayer again led the Vikings with 20 points and 13 rebounds. Junior guard Miltaye Vasquez had a great game with 14 points, four rebounds and five assists. Sophomores John Cefalu and Wilson played solid defense and rounded out the top scorers with six and seven points, respectively.

The Vikings will play Mary Star High School of San Pedro on Wednesday at 3pm.

Chris Proctor coaches the STHS boys’ varsity basketball team.