Regardless of venue, the North Branch girlsí basketball team continues to win. In the last week, the Viking horde defeated Fridley at home and returned to North Branch to defeat Robbinsdale Cooper.

In Fridley last Tuesday, the Vikes worked hard to overcome the Fridley gym jinx, but still found themselves down 30-21 at the half. Head coach Dan Schindler attributed the first half blues to shooting troubles.

ìWe were 3-10 from the line and 9-31 from the field. We had gotten good shots, but we just werenít making them,î he said.

The second half proved much kinder and gentler for North Branch, as it took a mere six minutes for the girls to tie the game. A ìback and forthî between the two squads would ensue, and with 30 seconds remaining the game was tied yet again. Schindler explained how the Vikings secured the win.

ìWe were trying to get a good shot but turned it over. Fridley then took over and ran about 20 more seconds off the clock and they then turned the ball over. With 10 seconds left we got the ball and got it to half court and called our last time out with 3.7 seconds left. The inbounds pass went to Gabrielle Olson and she took it to the hoop and was fouled with .6 seconds left.î

Olson would drain her first free throw, securing a 47-46 win for the unflappable Vikings.

If offense produced the point needed to win, it was the Viking defense that created the opportunity. The stingy lasses held the Tigers to only 16 second half points, roughly half of their first half production.

In trying to defeat the Vikings juggernaut, Fridley clearly tried to take away golden girl Gabrielle Olson.

In fact, they did a credible job in that task, holding Olson to only five points and eight rebounds. Unfortunately, the Tigers were not so effective against Marlayna Graff, who finished with 18 points and seven boards. Tiffany Good had 10 points as well, and Kristen Robatcek added another nine points.

From one hard-fought win to another, the Vikings returned home last Friday and nipped Robbinsdale Cooper in a very close contest. The first half saw North Branch to a 27-25 lead, and the second half would see them defending the tenuous lead, and without Robatcek, who left early in the half with an injury.

It ìreally had us concerned about our depth,î said Schindler after the game. ìI really credit the rest of the girls for stepping it up and giving us great minutes.î

Among those Schindler felt ìstepped it up,î were Randi Zentner, Ashley Johnson, Lacee Scherer, and Kacie Ramberg.

In the end, it was Olson hitting buckets from the free-throw line down the stretch that would secure the 54-51 win for the Vikings.

Olson had 18 points in the game, and Robatcek had 14 before sitting out the remainder of the half.

Graff finished with nine points and Good had eight.

The 16-5 Vikings have a less frantic week in store for them, playing only Spring Lake Park on Friday. Last time the two teams met, North Branch won 60-52 after trailing at the half.

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