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The Chisago Lakes girls’ basketball team opened its season with a 60-53 loss to Princeton at home Tuesday, November 29.

"We executed almost to perfection in the first half," said first year head coach Carl Pierson. The Wildcats combined good pressure on defense with an offense that was able to get the ball inside to Jess Peterson for a number of high percentage shots. The result was a 26-16 Chisago Lakes lead at the end of the season opening half.

Princeton went on a run early in the second half to cut the into the lead, but the Wildcat’s responded. CL led 42-36 with 6:30 to go. However, Princeton controlled much of the rest of the game as they outscored the Wildcats 24-11 down the stretch.

"They had some kids that historically have not been scorers for them step up and hit some big shots in the final minutes," Pierson continued.

"Sells and Peterson played very well and Alise Bowie and Jaime Tshida provided great minutes off the bench."

Jess Peterson and Kori Sells led Chisago Lakes scoring with 16 each. Megan Corradi was next with with 11, Alise Bowie had 7, Courtney Skoog 2 and Jaime Tshida 1.

Austin 51, Chisago Lakes 43

The Wildcat girls travelled to Austin Friday, December 2. According to coach Pierson, the game was very intense and competitive throughout.

The contest featured several lead changes, with neither team leading by more than four or five points through most of the game.

Austin had the lead in the closing minute so the Wildcats were forced to foul. Austin made its free throws and that led to the final eight point margin.

“Austin played a front line of 6', 6'2" and 6'2" at times and they killed us on the boards,” said Pierson.

The Packers outrebounded Chisago Lakes 40-27. That rebounding margin allowed them 16 more shot attempts. Neither team shot well. Austin was 16-60 (27 percent) and Chisago went 11 for 44 (25 percent) from the field.

"Austin is a tough place to play and their fans create a loud, hostile environment and I was very proud of the way we responded to that. We're really battling right now and as long as we continue to do that, good things are going to happen for us," Pierson concluded.

Peterson was the leading Wildcat scorer. She had 15, Corradi 8, Sells 6, Skoog 6, Mel Lewis 5, Caitlin Cunningham 2 and Bowie 1.

The Wildcats were scheduled to play at Hudson Tuesday, December 6. The next home game is scheduled for 5:45 p.m., Friday, December 9. The game is part of a doubleheader against Mahtomedi. The boys’ game is scheduled to start at 7:30.

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