Vikings boys hoops win two

The North Branch boys basketball squad picked up a pair of Rum River Conference wins for a perfect 2-0 record in its last week of regular season games before the holiday break, chalking up a 58-56 overtime win against Chisago Lakes Dec. 17 and then knocking off Milaca 69-50 Dec. 20.
NB 58 Chisago Lakes 56
The North Branch gymnasium was packed with exuberant fans from both North Branch and Chisago Lakes as the two teams met for another round in a fierce border rivalry.
The Wildcats took the 15-12 lead after a first quarter of controlling the boards and capitalizing on securing its own rebounds.
Scoring was again fairly even in the second quarter. As Chisago Lakes attempted to pull away, Jake Anderson sunk a three-pointer with seconds remaining in the half to leave the Vikings down by only one, 27-26.
ìWhen these two teams get together it is really a tough game,î head coach Bill Baumann said. ìWe know each other so well and their team is well coached, so there are no real surprises. Chisago Lakes really controlled the ball early and their defense didnít let us get a lot of good looks at the basket.î
Baumann took the team into the second half knowing they would have to execute scoring opportunities by pushing the Chisago Lakes defense.
Anderson and Jared Gagne helped the Vikes take over the lead in the third quarter to pull ahead by four at 38-34. The Wildcats closed the gap to 38-36 heading into the final quarter.
Both teams played to intensified levels in the fourth quarter, as the lead flip-flopped throughout. A Tyler Higley three-pointer was matched by a Wildcat field goal.
The Vikes extended their final lead of the regular session to 49-44 after a Gagne three-pointer and a basket from Matt Fletcher, before Chisagoís center Brendan McNally tied it up again with a pair to send the game into overtime.
In the four-minute OT, North Branch took the early lead behind three from Fletcher, but it was quickly answered and topped by a pair from McNally for a one-point Wildcats lead.
Fletcher hit three free throws, but the score was again tied up by McNally with 27 seconds left. The Vikings drove into the basket, working down the clock and getting Gagne inside to put in the rebound for the game-winning basket at 58-56. ìGagne did a super job on the last play. When the first shot went up he went right for the rebound and put it in,î Baumann said.
ìIt was a wild finish,î he said. ìWe made a couple of mistakes down the stretch but I think we learned from them and this will help our team grow.î
Fletcher led the scoring with 27 points, followed by Britt Baumann and Gagne with 8.
NB 69 Milaca 50
North Branch handed Milaca its first loss of the season Dec. 20, toppling the Wolves and 6í10î Eric Bergstrom 69-50.
Fletcher put the Vikes ahead early by scoring the teamís first ten points. The squad barraged Milaca with its three-point shooting to take a sizable 43-27 lead at halftime.
North Branch held the lead by outscoring the Wolves 15-13 in the third and 11-1 in the fourth for the 69-50 win.
ìWe really worked on our defense the past couple of days and I actually think it helped our offense,î Baumann said. ìThis was by far our best defensive game as far as reacting. We played more of a full court game and this was one of the few times this year we have been relatively healthy and had all our components.î
Fletcher led the Vikes with 28 points and 7 rebounds.
The Vikes were scheduled to participate in the Lakeville Rotary Classic Dec. 27-28. The squad resumes its regular schedule with a home game Jan. 3 against Forest Lake.

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