Offense struggles in loss to Fridley

The North Branch boys basketball team faced three formidable opponents during the holiday break, coming away with one win and two losses as it heads into a schedule of important conference games during January.
The Vikes came away 1-1 at the Lakeville Tournament Dec. 29-30.
In the first round game, the Vikings faced a 5-0 Red Wing squad, falling behind 34-24 at the half and eventually losing 63-54.
ìWe played like we were intimidated by them in the first half and basically let them control the game,î Head Coach Bill Baumann said. ìWe played better early in the second half but they made a big run at us and opened up a double digit lead going into the fourth quarter.î
Baumann said he was proud that his team battled until the end, and it was a great learning experience.
Senior Matt Fletcher had a strong game for the Vikes, leading with 26 points and 7 rebounds. Senior Britt Baumann added 13 points and seniors Bo McClaskie and Tony Beaver added 5 points apiece.
The next day, North Branch took on Zumbrota-Mazeppa, exploding with 22 points in the first quarter on the way to a 34-22 halftime lead and eventually a 59-53 win.
ìEvery time we extended our lead they came right back and cut it down,î Baumann said.
Fletcher led the team with 20 points, followed by Baumann with 19 and senior Matt Nelson with 13.
Baumann is pleased that several players have stepped up their play, including Beaver, McClaskie, senior Ben Stenberg and junior Greg Moriarty.
ìIf they can continue to improve and expand their game a little more we could become a pretty good team by the end of the year,î Baumann said.
The Vikes couldnít find the basket until 1:19 left in the first quarter in a 54-41 loss to Fridley Jan. 3.
The score flip-flopped back and forth throughout much of the game, until the Tigers pulled out of reach with two minutes left in the game.
Fletcher led with 14 points and 7 rebounds, while McClaskie, Nelson and senior Jake Anderson added 6 points each.
Fridleyís size was really not a factor as the Vikings stepped up defensively, but the squad struggled at the basket.
Baumann said the players need to work on their team game. ìWe are looking for our own shot too much and we need to do something to get our teammates open,î he said. ìWhen we play unselfish basketball we can be pretty effective.î
ìWe knew this was going to be a tough stretch in our schedule against some pretty good teams, now we need to regroup and get back to fundamentals and doing the little things that make us successful.î
This week, the Vikings hope to get back on track with a non-conference game Tuesday against Forest Lake, and a conference game Friday on the road against Milaca. The Vikes are 6-3 overall so far this season.

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