Posted: 3/7/07
Boys down Wildcats, Panthers
 Senior Justin Novak goes for two during a game against Columbia Heights. |
By Steve Morris
Rounding off the regular season, the North Branch boys basketball team won its final two games.
On Feb. 27 against longtime rival Chisago Lakes, the boys won by five, 43-38.
Jake Chambers led the team with nine points.
Again, the Vikings relied heavily on their outside shooting. They drained seven three's for the game and senior guard Justin Novak finished with two three's.
"We were able to stay within our game plan and take advantage of some things when we had an opportunity," head coach Bill Baumann said.
The last time the two teams played, Chisago Lakes got the upper hand, winning 54-48.
For the game, the Vikings shot 42 percent from the floor
In the Vikings last regular season game of the year, they went toe-to-toe against the Spring Lake Park Panthers, winning 50-48.
Chambers was a force to with on the offensive end, scoring 23 points and pulling in six rebounds.
At one point, the Vikings were down by 11 points but battled back for the two-point win.
It came down to free throws in the end. In the final two minutes, the Vikings sank five free throws to seal the win.
Baumann was pleased with his teams performance in the second stanza.
"We came out and scored the first 12 points of the second half to take our first lead. Spring Lake Park answered and pushed their lead out by seven. We could have folded at this point but we were able to maintain our composure and come back to finish the game off."
Up next, the Vikings play Rogers in the section quarterfinals Thursday night in North Branch.
North Branch 18 31 50
Spring Lake Park 29 19 48
Ryan Norman 5, Justin Novak 5, Nick Perrin 3, John Lindstrom 8, Jake Chambers 23, Bryce Hunter 2, Eric Sampson 4.
North Branch 19 24 43
Chisago Lakes 23 15 38
Ryan Norman 3, Jake Kovarik 5, Justin Novak 6, Nick Perrin 8, John Lindstrom 5, Jake Chambers 9, Bryce Hunter 7.
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