Posted: 2/26/04
By Danielle Strenke
Well at least the team will appreciate a new red sweater.
The one positive for members of the North Branch girls basketball team coming from a tough 4-point loss to St. Michael-Albertville will be the changing of sweaters ritual from Head Coach Dan Schindler.
Schindler, who admits to believing in more superstitions than he cares to count, dons the same red sweater for each game as long as the team is winning.
Last Friday, the squadís 9-game win streak came to an end ñ and so did Schindlerís time of wearing the same red sweater.
ìI guess it was time for me to wear a new red sweater,î Schindler said. ìAfter a month of wins it was time for a change.î
The Vikings defeated Fridley Feb. 17 for win No. 9 in the streak before falling to first-place STMA Feb. 20.
North Branch 43 Fridley 33
Fridley took the 10-7 edge after one quarter in a very physical game last Tuesday. The Vikings struggled on offense at the start, going 1 of 15. Schindler said it was frustrating the team to be stopped going for the hoop and have no fouls called. ìIt took some of them the first half to adjust to the physical nature of the game,î he said. He said seniors Vashaity Center and Rachel Brown played well in the physical contest as the teamís strongest players.
Fridley continued to edge out North Branch in the second quarter, leading 17-16 at the half.
ìAt halftime we talked about adjusting to the style of the game,î Schindler said.
The adjustment worked, as the Vikes outscored Fridley 14-6 in the third quarter and eventually pulled away to win by 10 points at 43-33.
Freshman Gabrielle Olson stepped up her game, hitting 5 of 7 free throws to lead the team with 9 points. Other players also stepped up their offensive output as junior Jenny Anderson is continually double-teamed. Center, Anderson and senior Katie Hasleiet contributed 7 points apiece while Brown had 5. Junior Megan Stegmeir and freshman Tiffany Good added 4 points each. Schindler was pleased with the defensive attack from Center in the second half to control Fridley.
North Branch 37 STMA 41
The Vikes traveled to STMA knowing it would be a tough game against the undefeated Knights. North Branchís last defeat before the game came Jan. 16 against STMA.
Despite being intensely focused, the Vikes couldnít hang on in the final quarter, losing by 4 points. ìSt. Michael was just a little better down the stretch,î Schindler said.
St. Michael led 13-12 after the first before North Branch came back to tie the game at 22-22 at the half.
The Vikes battled through the third to hold the 1-point edge at 31-30 going into the final quarter.
St. Michael took the 11-6 edge in the fourth for the 41-37 win.
Schindler was pleased with how well the team stayed in the game against the Class AAA No. 2-ranked team. ìWe gave them all they wanted and more,î he said. The Vikes were down to 7 players with two out with injuries and another player out of the game.
He said both teams played great defense, as North Branch struggled to get the ball to Anderson as she was double-teamed all night. Hasleiet and Olson were up to the challenge, coming through with key 3-pointers in the first half. Olson led the squad with 11 points and Hasleiet added 9. Stegmeir had 5 while Anderson and Good added 4 apiece. Anderson also had 11 rebounds.
ìAfter the game our girls were really exhausted,î Schindler said. ìThey left it on the court and thatís why I was proud of them. We are hoping we might get a third chance at STMA sometime in the upcoming tournament.î
North Branch goes to 16-8 overall, 12-4 in the conference with two regular season games remaining. This week, the team was scheduled to host Zimmerman Tuesday and travels to Big Lake Friday, Feb. 27.
At third place in the Rum River Conference, the Vikes will most likely get a home game in the section quarterfinals starting Thursday, March 4.
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