Posted: 2/11/05
By Cynthia Scott
The stage is set for a Friday night showdown in North Branch.
The red hot North Branch Vikings will take on the equally red hot conference-leading St. Michael-Albertville (STMA) Knights in a contest that will go a long way toward deciding the Rum River Conference championship.
STMA (14-1, 18-3) has a one game lead over the Vikings (13-2, 17-5) with one week remaining before sectional playoffs begin. STMA is ranked #8 in the state.
North Branch has won 8 consecutive games, including wins last week over Milaca, 55-39, and Pine City, 53-48. The Vikingsí last loss was Jan. 7 against STMA.
STMA has not lost a game since Andover beat them in a holiday tournament in December.
The Vikings have put together a balanced scoring attack all season featuring 6-foot 1-inch senior Jenny Anderson, 5-foot 11-inch sophomore Tiffany Good, 5-foot 7-inch sophomore Gabrielle Olson, and 5-foot 5-inch senior Megan Stegmeir. Anderson and Good each average 10 points per game, Olson comes in at 9 and Stegmeir 8. Anderson is the teamís leading rebounder with 10 per game.
Yet, different players carry the scoring load from night to night. For instance, Kristen Robatcek, who started the season on the JV squad, put in 12 points during last weekís win against Milaca. Marlayna Graff came in off the bench against Pine City to sink 7 crucial free throws. And Stegmeir more than doubled her usual game production with 17 points against Pine City.
Coach Dan Schindler thinks defense will be the key to winning.
ìThey have a very high powered offense. We canít match their scoring ability, but if we play North Branch defense we have a shot,î Schindler said.
The Vikingsí defense has been solid all season. Schindler said the one individual to stand out is Jill VandenHeuvel, on whom the team relies for post defense.
STMA has three players, all juniors, who have figured big in the Knightsí offense. Miranda Nelson at 5 feet 8 inches is among metro area leaders in assists, with 5 per game. She averages 10 points. Jody Reinshmidt is the leading scorer with 15 points per game. At 5 feet 10 inches, she averages 7 rebounds a game. And 5-foot 7-inch Marla Arns is the teamís second-leading scorer with 14 points per game, and Coach Jeremy Hoffman calls her the teamís best defensive player.
Hoffman said the two teams are a study in contrasts.
ìWe like to press and run upand down the court. North Branch likes a slower game. Both teams will be prepared; it just depends on who executes.î
Schindlerís team is plenty motivated. Last year was the first time in five years that the Vikings did not win the conference. Who did? STMA.
ìFriday night we have a chance to get [the championship] back. We are really looking forward to the challenge,î Schindler said.
Game time is 7:30 p.m. at the high school.
©ECM Post Review
6448 Main Street
North Branch, MN 55056
Telephone: 651-674-7025
Fax: 651-674-7026
E-mail: editor.postreview@ecm-inc.com