By Steve Morris

The North Branch boys basketball team got off to a good start with a 14-point win against the Duluth Central Trojans Dec. 8.

The win may not have happened had it not been for the lift the Vikes had from their bench players. North Branch's bench outscored the Trojans 18-0, which more than covered the spread of the win.

In hindsight, head coach Bill Baumann was pleased with his team's first game of the year.

"We played hard and did some nice things. We are still experimenting with our rotation and where everyone will fit. We had some players seeing their first extended playing time at the varsity level and they did some nice things," he said.

Leading the offensive machinery for the Vikes was the experienced trio of Jake Chambers, Ryan Norman and John Lindstrom.

Chambers, a senior, led the team with 25 points along with a team-high 11 rebounds.

Norman ended with 12 points and five assists while Lindstrom finished with 12 points.

Signs of it being the first game of the season were transparent in the box score as North Branch shot 40 percent from the floor. In that regard, it didn't matter for the boys as they walked away with the win. At one point, the boys stretched the lead to 20 points.

The boys first home game of the year is Friday night against North Suburban Conference rival Fridley.

"I was really pleased with Jake Chambers, Ryan Norman and John Lindstrom. As our returning players with a lot of experience they really took control. They played within the framework of what we were trying to accomplish and let the game come to them," Baumann said.

North Branch 35 34 69
Duluth Central 21 34 55

Ryan Norman 12 pts, Deon Farr 2 pts, Kyle Grote 8 pts, John Lindstrom 12 pts, Kirk Dahle 2 pts, Jake Chambers 25 pts, Mike Dahl 6 pts, Aaron Good 2 pts.