Sport Report

Motto: The real game is the game you are in. Text: “Bodily exercise profiteth little.” — Paul of Tarsus

Vikings Swallow Olives Whole Bethlehem Covenant 76, Mt. Olivet Lutheran 47

The Mt. Olivet Olives were big and formidable. In their only moment of pietist witness, the Bethlehem Minneapolis Pietist Vikings yielded the right to wear green (their traditional color) to the Olives, and stood in to meet them in white.

From that moment on, they were all-Viking. Bethlehem’s attack was relentless. The furious first half ended with the Pikes leading by 11. The lead was fashioned by the rebounding and long-distance shooting of Big Jim Clausen and the slashing offensive moves of Lance Johnson. In the gaps, the rest of the cast hit key shots, picked off necessary rebounds, and came up with big steals. An outstanding half by all, but — could the lead be maintained?

The final score reveals the answer. The Pie Vikes tore into the Olives for a 10-2 run at the outset of the second half. In addition, Tim Johnson began to drop in one long one-hander after another, causing the Olives to wither at the roots. Bethlehem’s lead mounted and the Olives disintegrated as they were digested by the Vikings — pits and all.

It seems to be a year in which the Viking side of the Pietist-Viking personality is unusually dominant. The original Vikings knew nothing of olives until they began raiding and looting in Southern exposures. They may have been crude and heartless, but they were successful; and their adventures have captured the attention and imagination of humankind. Our ball club hopes that, in sharing the spirit of their ancestors, they will grasp the championship trophy. Pray for victory first and Pie Vike souls second. — PJ