OTSELIC VALLEY – The Otselic Valley boys varsity basketball team has now seen two losses go their way in as many games, to open the 2016-2017 season.

The first game – and subsequently loss – of the season came when Otselic Valley hosted Blessed Virgin Mary on Dec. 2, for what ended up being a 52-40 loss for the Vikings.

At the half, a struggling Otselic Valley offense managed just 16 points – eight in the first and eight in the second – while BVM would rack up the points for the early lead at 27-16.

“OV lost in a battle with Cincinnatus. It was BVM's third game of the season, they played with a little more experience, and it was OV's first only,” said Otselic Valley head coach Jacob Preston.

Following the break, OV would turn some things around with their overall play, in part due to the solid performance from Jordan Baerga. Baerga scored 26 points for the Vikings in their home opener, while he also grabbed 19 rebounds, four blocks and one steal in the loss.

“Baerga for OV kept the Vikings in the the game, we were able to get it within four early in the forth quarter, however, some miscues and some second chance points for BVM seem to be the story of the game,” said coach Preston. “BVM did a great job rebounding the ball tonight and that proved to be the difference.”

As coach preston attested solid periods of scoring in the second half – 13 and 11 points brought the game with four points before BVM pulled ahead for the final lead late in the fourth.

Sitting at 0-1, OV would turn right around to host their second home game of the season when Cincinnatus came to town on Dec. 6.

A league matchup against Cincinnatus would not go in favor of OV, when they faltered to open up each of the halves – resulting in a 51-34 loss.