Posted: 3/14/07
Rogers knocks out Vikes for second consecutive year
 Senior Tiffany Good drives to the basketball during the section semi finals March 6 against Rogers in Maple Grove. The Vikings lost the game, ending their season. |
By Steve Morris
The state girls basketball tournament starts this weekend and the North Branch girls won't be in it. The reason behind their absence: a loss to Rogers in the section 6AAA semifinals March 6, by a score of 54-40.
The girls knew they had to bring their best game to the table to beat the defending section champions from a year ago. (Last year Rogers knocked the Vikings out in the section finals.)
For most of the game, the Vikes played a 2-3 zone in an attempt to stop junior Rogers guard Casey Mann from penetrating to the basket.
Rogers was patient on the offensive end, passing the ball several times each possession, before carving out a substantial lead, which they held most of the game.
Helping North Branch pull their way back into contention was junior guard Kristen Robatcek. She scored a team high 18 points and five steals. However, Robatcek wasn't around for the end as she fouled out with less than four minutes left to play.
"The real difference in the game was just that Rogers shot the ball much better," head coach Dan Schindler said.
For the game, Rogers shot 50 percent from the floor while North Branch shot 30 percent.
"They beat us, and we did everything we could and played hard," senior Gab Olson said.
In the second half, Rogers extended their lead to 36-17. Schindler, with his trademark white towel draped over his shoulder, called a time out to rally his troops. The girls returned to the floor, applying full-court pressure that seemed to give them an offensive boost. With the pressure, they cut the lead to eight points.
The Vikes enjoyed a single digit defect for a short while. Soon, Rogers adjusted and the lead ballooned out again, with the help of solid free throw shooting by the Royals.
With the loss, comes the end of line for for seven seniors.
‘They are special group and will really be missed. Gab, Tiffany, Kacie, Ellie, Lacee, Amy, and Randi have had great careers," Schindler said. "And they are just class acts off the court. I consider them part of my extended family and it certainly will be different next year."
North Branch 15 25 40
Rogers 26 28 54
Kacie Ramberg 2, Tiffany Good 10, Randi Zentner 2, Kristen Robatcek 18, Megan Scherer 4 Gabrielle Olson 4
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