By Steve Morris

Playing at full strength for the first time in weeks, the North Branch boys basketball team handed the Totino-Grace Eagles a four-point loss.

On Jan. 6, the Vikings edged out the Eagles 45-49, behind the steady play of the bench. (the bench contributed 19 points.)

Senior Jake Chambers, in his first game after having missed several weeks, scored 10 points, making seven of 8 free throws.

It the first half, it was all North Branch as they took a 28-19 halftime lead. It the second half, the boys let the Eagles back in the game, as they were outscored by five points. The boys kept their cool and escaped with the win.

"I also think we became too conservative late in the game and let them have an opportunity to win the game. We had a couple of mental lapses but at the same time we fought off their rally and we were able to pull it off," head coach Bill Baumann said.

Duluth Denfeld

On Jan. 6, the boys defeated the Duluth Denfeld Hunters 69-47.

Minutes into the game, Chambers became only the fourth player in school history to break the 1,000 career scoring mark. He finished the game with nine points and five assists. Baumann said his assists are just as important as his points.

"Even though he hasn't had a big scoring game it makes things a lot easier for every one else as they concentrate on Jake," Baumann said.

The Vikings played the game without Kirk Dahle who sprained his ankle late in the game against Totino-Grace.

Guard Ryan Norman lit it up from behind the arc. The junior hit four three's and finished with a team-high 14 points.

"We're a little out of synch because we haven't had a chance to play with everyone for extended period of time but we should get better as we get that opportunity," Baumann said.

Ryan Norman 5-9 0-0 14; Kyle Grote 5-5 0-0 12; Jake Chambers 2-8 4-6 9; Mike Dahl 1-2 5-5 8; John Lindstrom 3-8 0-2 7; Dan Ginal 3-4 1-1 7; Bryce Hunter 2-3 1-1 5; Eric Sampson 2-4 0-0 4; Aaron Good 1-1 0-0 2; Deon Farr 0-1 1-2 1; Victor Oeyesile 0-1 0-1 0;

Duluth Denfeld 21 26 47
North Branch 40 29 69

3-point goals-Duluth Denfeld 2-8 (Denfeld 2-8), North Branch 9-23 (Ryan Norman 4-6; Kyle Grote 2-2; John Lindstrom 1-6; Jake Chambers 1-5; Mike Dahl 1-2; Deon Farr 0-1; Dan Ginal 0-1). Fouled out--Duluth Denfeld-None, North Branch-None. Rebounds-Duluth Denfeld 30 (Denfeld 21), North Branch 36 (Jake Chambers 9; Eric Sampson 9). Assists-Duluth Denfeld 0, North Branch 22 (Ryan Norman 4; Deon Farr 4; Jake Chambers 4).

North Branch

Jake Chambers 1-6 7-8 10; Dan Ginal 1-3 5-6 8; Ryan Norman 2-4 2-2 6; Kyle Grote 2-4 0-0 6; John Lindstrom 2-4 0-0 6; Kirk Dahle 2-4 0-0 5; Eric Sampson 2-3 1-2 5; Bryce Hunter 1-3 1-4 3

Totino Grace 19 26 45
North Branch 28 21 49

3-point goals-Totino Grace 5-13; North Branch 7-17 (Kyle Grote 2-4; John Lindstrom 2-2; Dan Ginal 1-2; Kirk Dahle 1-2; Jake Chambers 1-4; Ryan Norman 0-1; Deon Farr 0-1; Bryce Hunter 0-1) . Fouled out- North Branch-Bryce Hunter. Rebounds-Totino Grace 31 (Totino 28), North Branch 24 (Jake Chambers 5). Assists-Totino Grace 0, North Branch 13 (Jake Chambers 5.)