Posted: 2/21/07
Vikes improve to .500 in NSC
 Senior Kacie Ramberg drives to the basket while Totino-Grace defender tries to stick with her. Ramberg finished the game with nine points. |
By Steve Morris
The North Branch girls basketball team mixed it up with two North Suburban Conference teams the week of Feb. 12.
First it was the Totino-Grace Eagles who visited the Vikes at home. When the books were closed, the Vikings had stuck to their game plan but still came up a tad short.
"It actually was a frustrating loss because we did everything we wanted, except put the basketball in the hoop down the stretch," head coach Dan Schindler said.
Kacie Ramberg and Gabrielle Olson paced the team with nine points each.
North Branch was able to pull within three points with 11 minutes left in the game, but the Eagles proved why they are rated No. 5 in the state and pulled away for the win.
Versus Irondale, it was a different story as the Vikes won by 14. Once again, North Branch was led by Olson, who came one rebound shy of a triple-double. She finished with 18 points, 13 rebounds and nine assists, closing in on third all-time in school history. Olson's performance showed how her play is so crucial to the success of the team.
Kristen Robatcek added 17 points and Tiffany Good chipped in 14 in the win.
On Jan. 9, Irondale handed the Vikes a 12-point loss. This time around, needless to say, the tables were turned and the Vikings came out on top.
Against Irondale, the Vikings made it to the free throw line an incredible 54 times, but only made 25 of them.
"It's been a long time since I remember shooting 54 free throws in a game," Schindler said.
The Vikings finished regular season play against Robbinsdale Cooper Feb. 23.
North Branch 23 15 38
Totino-Grace 29 18 47
Kacie Ramberg 9, Tiffany Good 2, Randi Zentner 6, Kristen Robatcek 6, Megan Scherer 4, Gabrielle Olson 9, Ashley Johnson 2.
North Branch 39 34 73
Irondale 30 29 59
Kacie Ramberg 7, Tiffany Good 14, Randi Zentner 6, Kristen Robatcek 17, Megan Scherer 3, Gabrielle Olson 18, Ashley Johnson 4
©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