---

Chisago Lakes 59

Mora 22

How good were the Wildcats on defense last Thursday versus Mora?  In the first, third, and fourth quarters, the Mustangs scored a combined 12 points.  Meanwhile, Chisago Lakes scored more than 12 points in three of the four quarters, including 19 points in the first to Mora's four.

To be blunt, it was never a game.  The 'Cats razzled Mora with their defense and put them away on offense, winning 59-22 in front of their home crowd.

“We stuck to the game plan and the kids played hard,” said Ed Wachutka, Chisago Lakes head girls basketball coach.  “Sometimes when you play a team that is down you play to their level, but the kids really stuck together and played really well.”

So well that their lead at halftime was 36-14.  So well that seven Wildcats scored in the first half, six of them struck for more than two points.  So well that out of their 36 points at the break, only two of them were from the free throw line.

Chisago continued to roll in the second half as well.  Leading by 22 in the third quarter, Jess Peterson got hot, scoring six of her game-high 13 points in the frame, helping the Wildcats extend their lead to 45-18 at the end of three.  It was more of the same in the fourth as the Wildcats got everyone in the game.  Karina Swanberg and Kori Sells made the most of their minutes, each scoring four points while Megan Corradi, Genna Wachutka, and Courtney Skoog added two.  The ‘Cats closed out the game on a 14-4 run en route to their fourth conference win of the season and their fourth win overall.

“We're playing with a lot of confidence.  The girls trust each other and they know that everyone is going to do their job,” replied Wachutka.  “It takes a lot of confidence to be able to do your job. We put a lot of pressure on people on defense and sometimes we get beat, but the girls understand that they have help.  They trust that their teammates are going to be there for them.  The team is playing well together and that's the key.”

Their balance is another key.  All 10 of the Wildcats scored in the game, including a host of players scoring in the 4-6 point range. Forty-one of the 'Cats 59 points came from their starters, 18 came from their bench.

“Kayla Schultz time and time again comes out and plays good basketball.  Courtney Skoog shot the ball well,”remarked Wachutka. “I think that's what Katie (Reed) has done.  She's allowed everyone to play their game.  She's gotten everyone involved.”

Reed finished with six points in the game.  Chisago was led by Peterson's 13.  Kayla Ferris also reached double figures, scoring 10 points in the game.

Chisago Lakes 59

Mora 22

1 2 3 4 F

Mora 4 10 4 4 22

Chisago Lakes 19 17 9 14 59

Scoring-

Peterson 13, Ferris 10, Skoog 8, Reed 6, Corradi 6, Schultz 4, Swanberg 4, Sells 4, Cunningham 2, Wachutka 2.

---