North defeats girls in state quarterfinals

By Danielle Strenke
After a big win against Totino-Grace in the section finals propelled the North Branch girls basketball team into the state tournament, the team found out it would be pitted against class 3Aís toughest team ñ Minneapolis North.
The squad faced off against the Lady Polars Tues., March 4 at Coon Rapids in the state quarterfinal round.
Both teams started aggressively and used strong defensive play to keep the scoring down in the first quarter. The Vikes trailed 15-14 after one, but then saw North go on a 10-point run in the second to open up the game.
Every possession counts against a strong team like Minneapolis North, and the Polars were able to continue to break away throughout the second half as the team answered each North Branch attempt with its own basket.
Minneapolis eventually came away with a 60-24 win, and went on to capture the state championship for class 3A last Saturday.
ìItís not the team we would have picked to play, but thatís the way it worked out,î Head Coach Dan Schindler said. ìI was most worried about their press, but we did a nice job against that. We just werenít able to score enough. Against them, you have to be playing your best to have a chance.î
Schindler said he is proud of what the team achieved this year: a 26-4 record and fourth straight conference championship, along with a third state appearance in four years.
He thanks the teamís seniors for a successful season: Traci Reimann, Alison Trampe, Christina Sampson, Sarah Rauen, Rauna Dallman, Brooke Beaver and Jenny Beader. The seven were part of a Vikings squad that racked up 100 wins in four seasons.
Schindler also extends thanks to the rest of the girls basketball coaching staff, the fans, the North Branch community and NBHS. ìItís so nice to see all the people at the games and the great support they gave our team. We always had more fans at the games and it helped.î
ìIt was a special season, and I am very proud of the team.î

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