---

Through two games this season, David Olson has 75 points (37.5 pg).  More importantly, the Wildcats have two wins.  Last week, the Chisago Lakes boys basketball team had a perfect start to their season by defeating Mahtomedi and Foley.  Both wins were impressive to say the least.

Chisago Lakes 60

Mahtomedi 41

Let’s put it this way, if it was Olson against the entire Zephyr team, the game would have ended in a tie.  Both scored 41, however Olson had help from his friends, a lot of help.  When it was all said and done, the Wildcats had a 60-41 win, improving to 1-0 on the season.

No question, Olson stole the show, quietly putting together the most points scored in a game by a Wildcat since he scored 41 against Pine City last season. 

Both Olson and the 'Cats started slow out of the gates however.  Chisago struck for just two field goals in the first quarter, scoring only eight points.

Fortunately, no damage was done thanks to their defense.  The Wildcat "D" held Mahtomedi to only three field goals and nine points, making the score 9-8 after one.

As the game went on, Olson and the Chisago offense got stronger while their defense remained air tight.  Helped out by a strong of free throws in the second quarter, the Wildcats took the lead by outscoring the Zephyrs 13-9 in the second, giving them a 21-18 advantage at the break.  Quietly, Olson scored six of those 13 points, giving him 10 at the half.

“The kids came out and played a good defensive game,” said Herb Jangor, Chisago Lakes head boys basketball coach.  “Our goal is to be a great defensive club and they built that foundation.  Offensively, we started off slow.  Our defense kept us in it.”

And in the end, their defense won it for them.

Leading by three heading into the third, the Wildcats increased their lead by four, outscoring the Zephyrs 20-16.  Nineteen of those 20 points came from Olson who found his stroke from the floor.  The senior hit three three-pointers in the quarter, improving his point total to 29 after three.  Things were starting to roll.

“The kids did a great job of finding the hot man.  When guys are hot, we want to be the type of team that finds that player and the kids did an excellent job finding David all night,” remarked Jangor.  “He had a quiet 41 points, they were points within our system.  After the game, I walked onto the bus and one of my assistants told me that he had 41, I was shocked.  I thought he had 25-30 points.  He scored in so many ways.”

His team kept finding him.

Leading 41-34 in the fourth, Olson added 12 more in the fourth.  In addition, seniors Levi Secord and Mike Tschida helped seal the deal, both picking up points from the free throw line.  Secord finished the game with 10 points, Tschida had three.  Whenever Mahtomedi got close Chisago would press on the accelerator, driving themselves to their first win of the year.

“We also want to get back to having that mental toughness that's been missing over the last few years,” said Jangor.  “Whenever Mahtomedi got close, the kids stepped it up.  It was a nice win for us.  Offensively we have a long ways to go, it wasn't a good offensive performance, but we set the tone with our defense.  That was the key.”

For the game, Chisago held Mahtomedi to 40 percent shooting from the field. Meanwhile for the Wildcats, Olson himself hit 15 of 24 shots (62.5%).  Six players scored for the 'Cats in the game.

Chisago Lakes 60

Mahtomedi 41

1 2 3 4 F

Chisago Lakes 8 13 20 19 60

Mahtomedi 9 9 16 14 41

Scoring:

Olson 41, Secord 10, Tschida 3, Maher 2, Froberg 2, Lallier 2.

Chisago Lakes 75

Foley 35

Game one was good- Game two was better.

Last Friday in their home opener versus Foley, Chisago made quick work of the Falcons, defeating them 75-35.  As for Olson, he continued his tear with 34 points on 9 of 15 shooting.

Once again the 'Cats started slow.  Sluggish on offense, Olson scored 10 of the teams’ 14 first-quarter points.  However, like against Mahtomedi, Chisago's defense was more than ready to play, holding the Falcons to just three points and no field goals.

Even though Foley got things going in the second, it was too little, too late. By that time, the Wildcats had woken up.  Chisago increased their lead with 21 points in the second quarter from six different players.  Nine of those points came from the free throw line as the Falcons began falling a step behind.

Despite their lack of rebounding, Jangor had little to complain about when it came to their 35-19 lead.

“We got our butts whipped inside.  In the second half our guys stepped up and took control.  Defensively our big guys did a nice job inside, they were an intimidating force, they disrupted their shooters in the first,” remembered Jangor.  “We just gave up too many second shots, but in the second half, the kids really did a nice job.”

To be blunt, in the second half, the Wildcats turned the game into a laugher, especially in the third where Chisago outscored the Falcons 21-4.  A total of six players scored for the Wildcats, including Olson, who chipped in 11.  Ten of their 21 points came from the free throw line after the 'Cats pressure defense started to give Foley fits, forcing several turnovers.  And when that wasn't happening, Chisago's quickness enabled them to do anything they wanted.

“It was a solid team effort by everyone, they all played their roles.  They all did the things they needed to do to make the team successful.  Players like Andy Olness, Trent Froberg, Kyle Collins.  We got good minutes from them,” replied Jangor.  “Blane Maher did some things with his quickness, Trevor Johnson and Levi Secord were solid inside, Mike Tschida finished the game with five assists. In order to be a great team, we're going to need everyone to do their part.”

And they did. 

Leading by 23 after three, five different players scored points in the fourth, putting the finishing touches on a 75-35 win.  Among the five was Olson who scored seven in the fourth, giving him 34 for the game and 75 over his last two games.

“David had another outstanding night.  Once again the kids did a great job finding him,” explained Jangor.  “Cameron Lallier was another player who really stood out, especially early with his energy.  He had a big night for us, Trevor and Levi had big nights.  With the type of balance we have, we have the tools to be a very good team.”

Just how good remains to be seen, but the early results are obviously positive. Chisago will find out even more this week with three games including North Branch on Thursday.

“If the kids are satisfied with being 2-0, we're in trouble,” smiled Jangor.

“I'm pleased, but not surprised. I'm also smart enough to realize that we have a long ways to go.  Right now our team has been keyed by our balance and defensive intensity. Offensively, we still have to get better.  Right now in terms of our defense we're on track, and that's what's going to lead us.”

Chisago Lakes 75

Foley 35

1 2 3 4 F

Foley 3 16 4 12 35

Chisago Lakes 14 14 21 19 75

Scoring:

Olson 34, Lallier 10, Johnson 5, Secord 4, Bouwens 4, Maher 4, Olness, Collins 4, Tschida 3, Froberg 3.

---