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The North Branch girls’ basketball team opened the season at Rogers Tuesday, November 29. The game was close until the final minutes, when Rogers pulled away for a 54-39 win.

“We knew this would be a tough opener for us,” said long time Viking head coach Dan Schindler.  Rogers won the North Suburban Conference last year and the entire team is back.

“Overall, I was pleased with our effort.  We actually led midway through the first half 16-6 before Rogers went on a 12 - 2 run,” Schindler continued.

“We played with great intensity and really did a nice job defensively, not giving them any easy shots.  They made a run at us when they were able to set their press up. They have great guards who can really put a lot of pressure on you and when they get steals they are great at converting them into easy baskets.”

Rogers led 24-23 at halftime, when the Viking coaches made some adjustments to handle the pressure.

“We did a great job with it (the Rogers press) in the second half, but we just couldn't score enough,” Schindler explained.

Rogers led by five or six points most of the second half before North Branch had to foul. Rogers converted its free throws at the end to make the final score 54-39. 

“We did some nice things against a great team and we certainly saw some areas of improvement we need to work on.  Most of our mistakes are very correctable and we just need to get back in the gym and correct them.

“We had some girls playing their first significant varsity game time and they were a little nervous.  But, this team will improve and I like the effort this team brings to the court. Rogers won't lose very many games this year.  We are looking forward to playing them again in the postseason,” Schindler concluded.

Tiffany Good led North Branch scorers with 15 and Gabrielle Olson had 10.  Marlayna Graff had 9 rebounds.

North Branch stats vs Rogers

Kacie Ramberg..........2 pts

Tiffany Good............15 pts

Randi Zentner............2 pts

Kristen Robatcek.......6 pts

Jill VandenHuevel.....4 pts

Gabrielle Olson........10 pts

5 steals....5 assists

Marlayna Graff...........0 pts

9 rebounds

WIN number 300

North Branch 46, Forest Lake 37 

North Branch picked up its first win of the season over Forest Lake Friday, December 2 at home. 

“It was a good game for us and the type of game we have to play to be successful.  It always starts with defense for us and I thought the girls played great defense the whole game.  We kept their best player in check for most of the game and that was our goal,” said Viking coach Schindler.

The Vikings did a good job of neutralizing the Rangers’ size advantage by keeping them off the boards.

“Randi Zentner, Lacee Scherer and Kristen Robatcek all came in and gave us some great minutes.  If they can continue to do that, we can be a very good basketball team,” Schindler continued.

“Besides playing great defense we have to win the free throw line battle.  I told the girls before the game we had to get there at least 20 times and we got there 31.  We made 17 which isn't enough, but at least we got there.

“It’s always nice to get that first win out of the way,” Schindler concluded.

What Schindler didn’t mention was that the win was his 300th in his 19 year career as the Vikings’ head coach. Congratulations to him and his players.

The coach made a point to say, “I’ve had a lot of good players.”

Tiffany Good led the Vikings in scoring with 15 and Gabrielle Olson added 11. 

The girls are at home Thursday, December 6 vs. St. Paul Harding. 

Scoring Summary vs Forest Lake

Kacie Ramberg..........2 pts

Tiffany Good...........15 pts

Randi Zentner............3 pts

Kristen Robatcek.......4 pts

Lacee Scherer.............0 pts

Jill VandenHeuvel......5 pts

Marlayna Graff..........6 pts

Gabrielle Olson........11 pts

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