The Middleton High girls basketball team is getting used to the pressure.
As the two-time defending 4A state champions with a 40-game winning streak on the line, there isn’t a team in the state that’s going to take it easy on the Vikings.
Tuesday night was no different.
The Vikings pushed through first quarter jitters, then pulled away for a 49-29 victory against Bishop Kelly.
It was the 54th consecutive victory for the Vikings over a 4A Southern Idaho Conference opponent, a streak that dates to the 2008-09 season.
“There’s a lot of pressure sometimes, but we like that,” said Middleton point guard Taylor Simmons, who had eight points. “I think we play better under pressure. It kind of motivates us.”
Playing against one of the Vikings’ fiercest 4A SIC rivals and the last league team to beat them, the Vikings failed to find their rhythm in the first quarter.
“We were all pretty nervous in the beginning,” Simmons said. “... We always expect a good game from BK and we know never to let up. I think we did really well with that tonight.”
Middleton led 7-4 after the first quarter before the Vikings dialed up the defensive pressure.
The Vikings held Bishop Kelly (13-3, 10-3) without a field goal while scoring 18 consecutive points during a near 7-minute streak spanning the first and second quarters to take a 23-10 lead at the break.
“Our defense really holds our game together,” Middleton senior guard Savanah Edwards said. “Every night when we step on the floor our main goal is to play good defense and to win games.”
With three games remaining in the regular season, defense will be crucial for the Vikings, who are in the midst of one of the toughest stretches of the season.
The Vikings just wrapped up three consecutive road games against Kuna, Nampa and BK and now host Skyview on Friday.
“We had three road games in five days like an NBA schedule,” Middleton coach Andy Jones said. “I was really proud of our kids coming through.”
Middleton (17-0, 13-0) can clinch the 4A SIC regular-season title with a victory over Skyview (13-3, 10-2). The Vikings narrowly beat the Hawks 44-43 on Dec. 9.
“Kids are really coming after us and there’s no holds barred,” Jones said. “No one is going to come lay down for us, so we have got to make sure that we are ready and take care of the basketball and make our free throws.”
NOTES: Middleton sophomore post D’Rae Tullock led all scorers with 15 points, while Randi McReynolds and Abby Talboy paced Bishop Kelly with eight points apiece. ... Talboy completed a rare four-point play with 10.2 seconds left in the second quarter. The senior guard was fouled on a made 3-pointer and then converted on the ensuing free throw. ... The 4A District Three tournament starts Feb. 1.
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