By Steve Morris

North Branch senior guard Gabrielle Olson earned her 500th career assist in a team loss against Totino-Grace Jan. 4.

The Vikings had match up problems with the Eagles and eventually fell 57-41.

Head coach Dan Schindler said the Eagles are one of the better teams in the conference and that his team battled them hard.

The Vikings cut the Eagle lead to 10 points but were unable to get any closer.

"I am pleased we are starting to shoot the basketball better now. We are better now than when we were in December and we continue to work hard to be a better basketball team," Schindler said.

Kristen Robatcek led the team in scoring with 15 points.

Later in the week, the Vikings hosted the Duluth Denfeld Hunters and gave them a beating by a score of 60-32.

Nine players were able to score making the game a solid team effort. North Branch's pressure defense was able to suffocate the Hunters early on, allowing them a feeble 32 points for the game.

The Vikings shot 44 percent from the floor and out rebounded the Hunters 40-26.

"We are hoping we have turned the corner some and can keep up some of our better play," Schindler said.

North Branch 16 16 32
Totino-Grace 29 31 60

Kacie Ramberg 2, Tiffany Good 8, Kristen Robatcek 15, Gabrielle Olson 10, Ashley Johnson 6

North Branch 29 31 60
Denfeld 16 16 32

Tiffany Good 12, Randi 10, Ellie Fairbanks 1, Kristen Robatcek 16, Megan Scherer 2, Lacee Scherer 2, Gabrielle Olson 11, Ashley Johnson.