Posted: 3/9/07
Vikes take an early exit from section playoffs.
 Jake Chambers goes for two during the section quarterfinals against Rogers on March 8 in North Branch. |
By Steve Morris
The North Branch Vikings have lived and died from behind the arc this year. In the first round of the section 7AAA playoffs they died.
In front of a boisterous student section the boys were defeated by Rogers 57-51 at home March 8. The loss ended the Viking's season.
The two teams played each other Jan. 27 and the Vikes won by two, 55-53. Their second match up was just as close, with the game in either team's grasp. There were a total of six ties and two lead changes in the battle.
The game went down to the wire as the Vikings let the game slip out of reach in the final minute. Behind by three with less than a minute to go, a Rogers defender got his hand on a pass from Ryan Normans which translated into a turnover and free throws for the Royals. Rogers made four free throws to finish the game.
On the game, the boys shot 7 for 32 from three-point land, equalling 22 percent. The dismal three point shooting carried over into the free throw department where the Vikes made eight of 20.
"We had trouble from the charity stripe the whole season and it really came back to bite us in this game," head coach Bill Baumann said. "We struggled all year shooting the ball and that was the case again against Rogers. We had open looks and close shots but just didn't finish."
The start of the game, however, was no indication of the eventual outcome. Senior Nick Perrin had the hot hand scoring 11 of the team's 18 first half points and ended the game with a team high 20 points. Playing on a bad ankle, Perrin's shooting helped keep Rogers at arm's distance for the first 10 minutes of the game.
Speaking after the game, Perrin said they just didn't come ready to play. The senior, holding back the emotions of his last high school basketball game said, "It was a fun season, it's just too bad it had to end right now."
The Royals slowly crept ahead and by half time, had a seven-point lead.
To start the second half, the Vikings came out more aggressive on the offensive end, going on a 7-0 run. Senior Justin Novak led that charge, scoring nine points in the opening minutes.
"We just wanted to come out and pressure a little more," Perrin said.
Novak ended with 15 points. Aside from Novak and Perrin the Vikings lacked offensive production which may have contributed to the loss.
Foul trouble did hurt the Vikings. Junior Jake Chambers committed his fourth foul with less than nine minutes left in the game was forced to the bench. He later fouled out and finished with five points.
Next season, Chambers will be back, but five seniors played their last game in the program.
"I would like to thank the seniors DJ Charley, Mark Johnson, Jake Kovarik, Justim Novak and Nick Perrin for the effort they put forth this year. I would have a hard time finding players that put as much effort into their play on the court as these five did. No matter when they were on the court, I could count on them giving us their maximum effort. What they lacked in talent they made up in effort," Baumann said.
North Branch 18 33 51
Rogers 25 32 57
Ryan Norman 1, Jake Kovarik 3, Justin Novak 15, Nick Perrin 20, John Lindstrom 5, Jake Chambers 5, Bryce Hunter 2
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