There's an old saw in coaching that goes like this: lose as individuals, win as a team. In their Conference B-III League opener last Friday, Jan. 4, the Vikings of North Shore High used that saw to cut the Westbury Lions down to size, 59-55, with four players scoring in double figures.

The contest was nip and tuck through the first quarter, with North Shore holding a 13-12 edge. In the second period, North Shore Guards Andre Moskowitz and Frank Guidici repeatedly broke the Westbury press to build a 36-26 point lead. Forward Tim Schenkel was the beneficiary of their efforts as he scored nine of his game high 15 points. The ferocity of the Viking defense caught up with them in the third as Westbury closed the gap primarily on foul shots. Viking center Trevor Taylor and forward Ankit Shah were forced to the bench with four fouls each. In the fourth and final period, Moskowitz bellied up to the table scoring eight of his 14 points down the stretch to seal the victory. Two of his baskets were driving, twisting layups through the heart of the Lion defense. He finished with six assists. Guidici hit two critical three point shots as well, and finished with a total of 14 points. Though the Vikings held a 58-50 point lead with under two minutes to go, shaky foul shooting allowed Westbury to make it close. But the nervous nellies in the packed stands went home happy as the Vikings emerged with the win. Contributing to the balanced attack was Shah, who finished with 14 points.

North Shore travels to Garden City Wednesday, Jan. 9, and returns home to face Wheatley on Friday, Jan. 11, at 7:15 p.m.