Home Page

Winning streak ends
Game 37 comes with a loss to Chisago

By Danielle Strenke
All good things must come to an end. The old adage was probably something in the backs of the minds of all the players on the North Branch girls basketball squad, and foremost in the mind of head coach Dan Schindler last Tuesday.
As the squad had done for 36 previous Rum River Conference games, it took to the court and anticipated another conference win to add to the winning streak.
After see-sawing the lead with Chisago Lakes throughout the game, the Vikings were forced into an overtime situation to try and pick up win #37.
In the ensuing four minutes, Chisago Lakes pulled ahead by forcing North Branch into foul trouble and grabbed the 52-47 win.
The Vikes had already picked up two conference wins this season, against Princeton and Mora, before heading into last Tuesdayís game.
It has been 2 1/2 seasons since the Vikings girls basketball team has lost a game to a conference foe ñ a very impressive feat.
Win #1 in the streak came Jan. 27, 2000 against Sauk Rapids and continued through the 2000-01 and 2001-02 seasons when the team went 14-0 in the RRC.
Despite the impressive win streak, the North Branch squad tallied an even longer one when it reached 39 straight games in the 1996-97 season.
Between the two North Branch win streaks, Sauk Rapids, no longer a part of the Rum River Conference, held onto a 56-game conference win streak from 1996 to 2000.
Schindler knew it would come to an end, but is ready to move on. ìThe streak is over ñ time to start a new one,î he said.
In the game, North Branch took a 25-20 lead at halftime, but missed several easy shots to increase the lead before the break.
The Vikings did a nice job of controlling Chisagoís Kari Schmidt, one of the best players in the conference. Schmidt picked up only 5 points in the first half.
Schmidt came out and dominated in the third, sinking 14 points and helping her squad take over the lead at 33-31 after three quarters.
North Branch took over the lead with three minutes left in regulation, as senior Traci Reimann hit a two-pointer.
ìInstead of running some clock we turned it over,î Schindler said. ìWe had a chance to win in regulation but we didnít execute our play.î
In overtime, the Wildcats scored first and never looked back, coming up with 10 points to North Branchís 5 for the win.
ìI knew this would be a very good game,î Schindler said. ìChisago is very much improved this year.î
Reimann led the scoring with 16 points, followed by senior Christina Sampson with 8.
The squad bounced back Friday with a 52-30 win over Milaca.
ìWe came out with intensity and were really shooting the ball great,î Schindler said.
The Vikes jumped out and overwhelmed the Wolves, scoring 20 points in the first four minutes of the game.
In the quarter, Sampson hit for 13 points including three 3-pointers.
ìShe really stepped up her game, and we need that from her,î Schindler said. ìShe is a very good outside shooter.î
North Branch extended its lead to 30 points by the end of three quarters. All 18 girls on the varsity roster were able to see playing time in the win, which was helpful for the coaching staff.
ìWe are still looking for different combinations and this was a game we got a chance to try many of them,î Schindler said.
This week, the team faced Mahtomedi Tuesday and will have some time off before participating in the Simley Holiday Tournament Dec. 26-28.
The squad begins play Dec. 26 against St. Paul Highland at 7:00 p.m. and will play one game each on Dec. 27 and Dec. 28.

Top of Page

©ECM Post Review

6448 Main Street
North Branch, MN 55056
Telephone: 651-674-7025
Fax: 651-674-7026
E-mail: editor.postreview@ecm-inc.com