NB boys take over first place

The North Branch boys basketball squad took over first place with two conference wins last week, coming against Foley and Pine City.
The Vikings had trailed St. Michael-Albertville in the Rum River Conference before St. Michael suffered its second conference loss of the season to put North Branch in first.
This week, the Vikes end the regular season facing St. Michael in a game that could decide the conference.
In the Foley matchup, the Vikes trailed 19-12 after the first, but went on a 20-point tear in the second quarter to lead 32-25 at the half.
ìWe made adjustments offensively and defensively and took control of the game,î Head Coach Bill Baumann said.
North Branch added to its lead with 20 in the third and 21 in the fourth for the 73-57 win.
Junior Matt Fletcher led the offense with 22 points, followed by seniors Tyler Higley with 15 and Jared Gagne with 13. Junior Jake Anderson added 9.
The team was nearly 83 percent in two-point attempts and 62 percent at the free throw line.
ìWe were really patient on offense and took what they gave us,î Baumann said. ìWe finished 8-0 in conference games on the road, now we come home and try to finish it off.î
The squad did just that in its first game back home, defeating Pine City 56-44 Feb. 21. While North Branch waited for its shots by controlling the ball, Pine City was forced to take hurried shots throughout the game with little accuracy.
North Branch led 27-19 at the half, but the Dragons stayed in the game by matching the Vikings 18-18 in the third quarter.
ìPine City cut our lead to 5 early in the fourth but we were able to take control again and execute at the end of the game,î Baumann said.
The Vikes outshot Pine City 11-7 in the final stanza for the win.
Jake Anderson led the team with 13 points, followed by Fletcher with 12 and Higley with 11. Junior Britt Baumann added 9. Fletcher also had 7 assists.
The Vikes made 12 of 25 three-pointers for 48 percent, and were 66 percent at the line.
ìWe had real balanced scoring as we had three players in double figures plus one more just outside. We shot really well because we were getting the shots we wanted,î Baumann said.
The Vikes were scheduled to host Big Lake in a conference game Tuesday before ending the regular season with a home game Friday against St. Michael.
Section quarterfinals are scheduled for Thursday, March 6 with semifinals Tuesday, March 11.

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