Posted: 1/10/07
Two close games slip past Vikes
 Jake Chambers, center, goes for two against Totino-Grace Jan. 4 in North Branch. |
By Steve Morris
The Vikings lost a seesaw battle to the Totino-Grace Eagles by three points at home Jan. 4.
The game was decided in the final seconds of regulation. The Vikings were behind by three points with seconds left -- enough time for a final shot. After a time out, the gang got in position for their predetermined play. However, the Eagles defense was airtight and forced the Vikings to scramble getting the ball in play from the sidelines. The Vikings took an undesirable three pointer that was off the mark as the buzzer sounded. The Eagles edged the Vikes by a final score of 52-49.
Junior Jake Chambers led the team in scoring with 16 points and eight rebounds.
"We are really struggling from the field and it is odd because we are hitting those same shots in practice. We just have to stop "trying" to make it and let it just happen," head coach Bill Baumann said.
Against the Grand Rapids Thunderhawks, the Vikes again were unable to seal a victory in a close game and fell 57-53 on Jan. 6.
Chambers again led the team in scoring, adding 17 points.
Baumann remains optimistic his team will get past this speed bump in their path.
"We are playing extremely hard. Other teams may work as hard as we do but I don't think anybody outworks us. The problem is we are working hard and getting nothing to show for it. It's like being stuck in the mud and spinning our wheels," Baumann said.
North Branch 23 30 53
Grand Rapids 25 32 57
Ryan Norman 3, Justin Novak 6, Jeff Olson 3, Nick Perrin 11, John Lindstrom 2, Jake Chambers 17, Bryce Hunter 7, Eric Sampson 4,
North Branch 19 30 49
Totino-Grace 16 36 52
Justin Novak 7, Nick Perrin 11, John Lindstrom 9, Jake Chambers 16, Bryce Hunter 2, Eric Sampson 4.
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