|
|
Lady Vikings basketball continues to climb conference ladderThe North Branch girls basketball team battled the third and fourth place conference teams last week and emerged with two more conference wins under its belt. The Vikings now sit in third place in the Rum River, following a 38-35 win over Foley Jan. 27 and a 61-45 over Princeton Jan. 30. North Branch 38 Foley 35 The Vikes avenged an early season overtime loss to the Falcons last week, utilizing a tough defense. A total of 15 points were scored in the first quarter, with North Branch taking the 8-7 edge. Foley came back to tied the game at 19-19 at the half. North Branch took the lead again by outscoring the Falcons 12-8 in the third, but both teams battled to a tie with a minute left in the game as junior Jenny Anderson stepped up to the line and sunk two free throws to put North Branch ahead for good at 37-35. The squad added one more for good measure for the 38-35 win. Anderson led the team with 18 points, 14 rebounds and 4 blocks. Senior Katie Hasleiet added 10 points. As Anderson receives continued pressure in double coverage from opponents, Schindler said players like Hasleiet and freshman Tiffany Good step up and take over shooting from the outside. North Branch 61 Princeton 45 The Vikes easily handled the Tigers last week to avenge another early season loss. ěThis was probably our best win on the season,î Schindler said. ěPrinceton is a very good team that changes defenses and presses many times during the game. Earlier in the year we were not ready to handle that, but the second time around we really executed against each of them.î The Vikings led 15-10 after one quarter and extended the lead to 36-19 at the half. North Branch added 25 in the second half for a 61-45 win. Schindler was pleased with how well freshman Gabrielle Olson was able to read the Princeton offense. ěThis was a good test to see our teamís improvement and the coaching staff was very happy after this game,î Schindler said. ěThis team has really worked hard to improve against pressure and this game really showed how much we have improved.î Anderson led with 23 points, 13 rebounds and 5 blocks. ěShe is doing a great job of scoring for us and all our other girls are really doing a nice job of feeding her the ball,î Schindler said. ěRachel and Katie both had some nice assists to Jenny for easy baskets. Vashaity is playing more consistent now and our bench play remains consistent and continues to improve.îÝ Center chipped in 9 and Brown added 8, while Hasleiet had 5 points and 7 assists. This week, the team was scheduled to host Mora Tuesday and Chisago Lakes Thursday, Feb. 5. At 8-2, Chisago Lakes is only one game ahead of North Branch in second place in the conference. St. Michael-Albertville remains undefeated at 10-0 for first place. ěFacing Chisago Lakes should be another big test for us,î Schindler said. ©ECM Post Review |