It doesnít get closer than this

The Vikings girls basketball team keeps on winning, as evidenced by two more notches on its belt last week. Unfortunately for the team, Chisago Lakes and St. Michael-Albertville keep on winning too.
As North Branch was defeating Cambridge-Isanti and Foley last week to retain its share of first place in the Rum River Conference, Chisago Lakes matched them with wins to stay tied with the Vikes with a 13-1 conference record, and St. Michael stayed just one game behind at 12-2.
There is only one week left in the regular season, as North Branch finishes up with games against Big Lake and St. Michael-Albertville before section quarterfinals begin next Thursday.
NB 55, Cambridge 28
The Bluejackets came out energized and determined to hand a loss to North Branch Feb. 11, taking an 11-6 lead after the first quarter.
As the Vikes found their rhythm, they edged ahead with 18 points in the second while allowing only 4 points.
North Branch easily controlled throughout the rest of the game, keeping Cambridge from moving the ball inside and forcing outside shots.
ìI think our depth was able to wear them down and we were able to control the second quarter to take a 29-10 lead,î Head Coach Dan Schindler said. ìOur defense has been outstanding all year and again it was great.î
On parentís night, all seven seniors on the team scored: Alison Trampe, Brooke Beaver, Jenny Beader, Traci Reimann, Sarah Rauen, Christina Sampson and Rauna Dallman. ìThey are the leaders you would expect in your senior players,î Schindler said.
Seniors Sampson and Reimann were key offensive leaders for the Vikes, hitting several big three-pointers. Sampson totalled 17 points while Reimann picked up 15.
North Branch 39, Foley 28
The Falcons were looking for a big home win Feb. 13, matching North Branch through the first quarter to an 8-8 tie.
In the second quarter, Sampson and Trampe put North Branch ahead quickly by adding 2 three-pointers and went into the lockerroom with an 18-11 lead at the half.
The Vikes extended the lead to 31-21 after three quarters. Again, Schindler credits the defense for the big win against the Falcons, a team that has finished runner-up to the Vikings in the conference race the last three years.
Rauen did an exceptional job defending Foleyís post player, Schindler said, and she came away with 9 rebounds.
Offensively the team was led again by Reimann with 12 points and Sampson with 11.
The wins position North Branch in line to capture at least a share of the conference title. St. Michael faces both Chisago Lakes and North Branch this week, while the Vikes were also scheduled to take on Big Lake (6-8) Tuesday in its final regular season home game. North Branch travels to St. Michael Thursday in its final regular season game.

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