La Monte Vikings (La Monte, MO) backers were in high spirits Friday as they witnessed their basketball squad thwart the visiting Ballard Bulldogs (Butler, MO), 51-37 in a non-league bout.

With the win, La Monte upgrades its record to 8-2 on the season. The Vikings travel to Kingsville (Kingsville, MO) to clash with the Tigers in a Freelance bout on Monday, January 8. The Tigers go into the bout with a record of 9-5. Kingsville won 53-49 in their recent non-league bout against Wellington-Napoleon (Wellington, MO)

Next up, the Bulldogs clash with the Miami Eagles (Amoret, MO) in a Golden Valley Vernon bout, on Tuesday, January 16. Ballard will attempt to upgrade on its 1-9 season record.