By Steve Morris

The girls growing pains were evident as the North Branch basketball team lost to North Suburban Conference rival Spring Lake Park 58-32.

The girls, now 0-3, stuck with the Panthers through the first half and entered the locker room down just five points.

In the second half, the girls unraveled at the sight of the Panther's defensive pressure and let the game slip out of reach.

To start the second half, the Panthers went on a 16-0 run, to which the girls never fully recovered.

"It was a game where our inexperience really showed. Right now, we are trying many different combinations of players and they all are in a learning process. It's going to take some time and we need to take baby steps before we can take bigger steps," head coach Dan Schindler said.

Senior post Amanda Johnson led the team with nine points and seven rebounds. Rebecca Collins added seven points and eight rebounds in the loss.

Up next, the Vikings play the Fridley Tigers on the road.

In retrospect, Schindler said his girls needs to get much better on the offensive side of the ball.

"Our defense overall is improving and we will have to play great defense to stay in games while our offense has time to catch up," he said.

North Branch 23 9 32
Spring Lake Park 28 30 58

Cori Fairbanks 5 pts, Jessica Audette 1 pt, Kendra Norman 3 pts, Miranda Charley 2 pts, Rebecca Collins 7 pts, Amanda Sylla 5 pts, Ashley Johnson 9 pts.