The Wallkill boys’ basketball team pulled away from the Valley Central boys’ basketball team in the second half in route to a 65-43 win over the Vikings in the first round of the Dick O’Neill Jingle Ball Classic on Friday at Monticello High School.

The Panthers will play Monticello for the championship on Jan. 8, while the Vikings will face Burke Catholic in the consolation game. The championship games were originally scheduled to be played on Saturday but were postponed due to the threat of inclement weather.

The Vikings had already beaten the Eagles once this week, behind 20 points from Jerrell Taylor and 12 points from Henri Pothier.

However, the Vikings weren’t as successful Friday night against the neighboring Panthers as Mat Shea put up 30 points in the winning effort.

Wallkill coach Hunter Andrews called it a “great defensive effort.”

Tyler Sibley and Ruben Sims added eight points each for Valley Central.

The Panthers opened the week with a 58-50 win over the FDR Presidents.

Shea scored 19 points and Jack Rauschenbach had 12. Kyle Krebs added 11.

The Vikings suffered a 57-42 loss to Warwick on Thursday.

Jerrell Taylor had 16 points, eight rebounds and three steals for the Vikings.

Jacob Gonzalez had 10 points for the Wildcats.