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By Danielle Strenke
It seemed almost surreal to the North Branch fans who packed the bleachers at Irondale High School last Tuesday. The loyal fans of the red and black traveled to New Brighton with a confidence in their team that was based on an 18-game win streak and a Rum River Conference trophy.
Still, the unthinkable happened. The Vikings offense was shaky, itís defense not as sharp as fans have come to expect during a season of 24 wins. And Spring Lake Park played what was most likely its best game of the entire season.
These factors meant disaster for the North Branch squad, as the No. 1-seeded Vikes were upset by the No. 4-seeded Panthers in the section 6AAA semifinal game March 16 to end North Branchís hopes at another state appearance.
The game started in a way that most Vikings fans are used to ñ watching North Branch rack up an early 8-0 lead in the first quarter.
The lead began to falter, however, as the Vikes missed shots and rebounds and the Panthers were seemingly sinking every shot that went airborne. The quarter ended with the Panthers holding a 17-14 lead.
Spring Lake Park took over the lead in the first quarter and would keep it throughout the game. The Panthers led by 8 at the half, 31-23.
North Branch had trouble penetrating the perimeter through much of the game, finding some success when the ball was in the hands of senior Matt Fletcher in the second half.
ìWe allowed 8 points on last second shots to end the first three quarters,î Head Coach Bill Baumann said. ìIf we played defense and closed down at the end of the quarters it would have been a whole new ballgame.î
The Vikes trailed by as much as 13 points in the fourth quarter, but staged a late rally to come within 4 points with about 2 minutes remaining. North Branch was unable to keep it going and watched the Panthers snatch the game away to win by 9, 62-53. ìWe needed to convert but we just couldnít get a break and come up with a bucket,î Baumann said. ìEvery time we made a run they answered.î
Baumann said Spring Lake Park shot the ball much better than North Branch anticipated. ìThey seemed to knock down everything, and get every loose ball.î
Senior Matt Fletcher led the Vikes with 24 points, while senior Britt Baumann added 12.
Spring Lake Park went on to stage another upset last Friday in the championship game, defeating No. 2- seed Fridley for a trip to the state tourney.
Baumann is proud of how well the team played this season, and knows the players will be proud too.
ìThe kids have nothing to hang their heads about,î he said. ìThe loss is going to hurt for a little while but then when they look back at what they accomplished this year they will be able to hold their heads up high.î
Baumann and the coaching staff thanks everybody for all their support this year. ìIt was a great ride with a super bunch of young men.î
The Vikings end the season with a 24-4 overall record, 18-0 in the conference.
Next yearís squad will need to rebuild without the experience and talent of this yearís seniors: Matt Fletcher, Britt Baumann, Jake Anderson, Matt Nelson, Bowie McClaskie and Ben Stenberg.
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