Posted: 1/17/07
Boys end four game slide with win over Denfeld
 Junior center John Lindholm, left, takes a jump shot from the left corner while Duluth Denfeld guard Steve Birman flies through the air for the block during a game in North Branch Jan. 13. The Vikings beat the Hunters by four points, ending a four-game losing streak that began with a three-point loss to Totino-Grace Jan. 4. |
By Steve Morris
In a busy three-game week, the Vikings boys basketball team dropped two North Suburban Conference games and held off a last minute surge by the Denfeld Hunters for a win.
On Tuesday, Jan. 9, the Vikes were tripped up by the Irondale Knights of New Brighton by a final score of 42-60.
Starting the second stanza, the boys had a two-point advantage but squandered it away as the minutes melted away. Irondale unleashed its offensive fire power and poured in 36 second-half points for the win.
Like a car in need of repair, the Viking offense stalled in the second half, scoring 16 points.
"It was the same old story -- we played really hard but we just couldn't make any shots. It has really turned into a mental thing so we have to start to clear our heads and just start over. We've set some goals and some time lines to turn this thing around," head coach Bill Baumann said.
Senior Justin Novak led the team in scoring with 16 points.
Against the Columbia Heights Hylanders, the Vikes hoped to write a different story. The Vikes had reason to believe they would win -- the Hylanders hadn't won a game all season.
On Jan. 12, the Vikes lost 59-57 on a last second shot by Columbia Heights.
"That was tough," guard Nick Perrin said.
Coach Baumann was caught off guard with the Hylanders shooting ability.
"Whoever said they couldn't shoot sure led me astray," he said.
What hurt the Vikings was their second half defense that let in 44 points.
Bryce Hunter had his best game of the season, collecting a team high in rebounds and points. He finished the game with 12 points and eight rebounds.
Capping off the week, the Vikings hosted the Duluth Denfeld Hunters.
On Jan. 13, the Vikes edged the Hunters 68-64 at home in front of a thin crowd.
Novak took control of the game offensively pouring in a season high 29 points including a pair of three points late in the second half to the keep the Hunters at bay. Novak, aka Mr. Anticipation, also added seven steals.
The outcome of the game was decided by who could make free throws. Both teams were in the double bonus for the last few minutes of the game.
Down by 10 points, the Hunters wouldn't give up and made the game interesting with a couple three's in the last minute.
"It was tough, but we just kept working ... there is nothing you can do about it if they are making them," Perrin said. "I think this win today could bring us more and more together.
Perrin finished the game with 17 points.
Baumann said he was happy with how his team performed offensively and with the play of his bench.
"By executing better in the Duluth game we learned from our mistakes from the night before. We just have to build on this and get better over time," Baumann said.
North Branch 39 29 64
Denfeld 33 31 68
Ryan Norman 2, Jake Kovarik 1, Justin Novak 29, Nick Perrin 17, John Lindstrom 3, Jake Chambers 15, DJ Charley 1.
North Branch 26 16 42
Irondale 24 36 60
Jake Kovarik 7, Justin Novak 16, Nick Perrin 5, John Lindstrom 3, Jake Chambers 7, Bryce Hunter 4.
North Branch 29 28 57
Columbia Heights 15 44 59
Ryan Norman 6, Justin Novak 9, Nick Perrin 8, John Lindstrom 6, Jake Chambers 6, Bryce Hunter 12, Eric Sampson 10.
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