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The North Branch girls’ basketball team went into the week with a 5-1 conference record, looking forward to home matchups with two of the NSC’s top teams. The Vikings now stand 5-3, after being blown out by Benilde-St. Margaret’s and edged by the Irondale Knights.

NB vs. Benilde-St. Margaret’s

Tuesday, January 24 the Benilde-St. Margaret’s Red Knights showed the Vikings why they are undefeated in the NSC and are one of the state’s top teams. Benilde started very fast and dominated the game on the way to a 77-52 win.

The Red Knights made their first five shots while the Vikings first five possessions ended in four turnovers and a blocked shot.

“After that start, I think we panicked a little bit and the game really got away from us early as Benilde cruised to a 51-15 halftime lead,” said Viking head coach Dan Schindler. “They have physical size, quickness, and are great shooters.  I knew going in that it would be a tough contest, but I was disappointed we didn't give them more of a game.

“At halftime we just talked about doing the things we can do and playing hard every possession.  I was pleased that we played a much better second half, but the outcome was never in question for Benilde.  All you can do from a game like that is learn and try to become a better team,” Schindler concluded.

Scoring Summary

North Branch 15 37 52

Benilde 51 25 77 

Kacie Ramberg............ 1

Tiffany Good............... 12

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

Kristen Robatcek......... 9

Amy Aho..................... 4

Marlayna Graff............ 4

Gabrielle Olson........... 16

Ashley Johnson........... 4

Total................ 52

North Branch vs. Irondale

Tuesday, December 20 the North Branch girls’ basketball team built a comfortable lead at Irondale and then, held off a furious Knight rally to gain a 62-61 North Suburban Conference win.

Friday, January 27, the teams reversed roles. Irondale traveled to North Branch, built a comfortable lead and then, held off the surging Vikings for a 63-60 win.

The Vikes have struggled from the freethrow line all season. Against the Knights, coach Dan Schindler’s team went six for six from the line over the first eight minutes of the game (and 21 for 27 for the game). Those free throws were the only offense the team could muster in the early going.

With 9:25 remaining in the first half, North Branch trailed 14-6 before Tiffany Good scored the first Viking field goal on a putback. Good followed that with a nice feed to Jill Vanden Heuvel for a layup. Two Good freethrows got the Vikings close and Gab Olson’s steal and basket knotted the score at 14 with 7:20 on the clock.

Irondale guard Jamie Jones led her team as the Knights outscored the Vikings 19-11 during the rest of the half. Olson kept her team in the game as she stole the ball, scored and rebounded over the same period. But, the Knights held a 33-25 halftime lead.

Kristen Robotcek took over the scoring load for the Vikings early in the second period. “Robo” scored the Vikings’ first six and eight of nine to keep her team within striking distance. Irondale led 43-36 after a Robotcek to Ramberg pass and shot with 9:40 remaining.

Jones directed an Irondale 14-4 run over the next four minutes that left the Knights in charge 57-40 at the 5:30 mark. Olson took over for the Vikings, again. Her drive and dish gave Marlayna Graff an easy jumper. Then, Olson scored on a reverse layup with 4:00 left to cut the margin to 12 (57-45).

The Irondale lead was back to 12 after Good completed a three point play with 1:24 to go to make the score 61-49. Irondale called a timeout ten seconds later. The Viking defensive pressure forced a turnover and Graff scored on a pass from Good with 48 clicks left. Another Irondale turnover and foul led to two Graff freethrows which cut the lead to 61-53 with 40 seconds to go.

The Irondale coaches tried to calm their team during another timeout. However, a North Branch steal and a Randi Zentner basket brought the Vikings within six with 0:31 left. Two seconds later, the Vikes fouled Jones, who swished two from the line. Olson scored with 14.2 remaining to narrow the margin to 63-57. A final steal and a Kacie Ramberg three made the final score 63-60.

“We beat them by one point earlier in the year and we knew they would be really ready to play us again.  They are a good team with one really great player and they gave us some match-up problems with their size. 

“But, the real story of the game just came down to shooting.   They didn't get as many shots as us, but they made more.  Some games this year we have just struggled shooting and this was one of those nights.  We had a couple possessions we got five shots off and never scored,” Schindler commented.   

“I was pleased that our girls never gave up.  We need to be more consistent in the first part of the game.  You can't give good teams big leads and expect to overcome that.  But, the effort has been there all year and I am really proud of the girls for that,” Schindler added.

The two losses drop the Vikings to 14-5 overall and 5-3 in the conference.

Scoring Summary

Irondale 33 30 63

North Branch 25 35 60

Kacie Ramberg.............. 10

Tiffany Good................. 9

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

Kristen Robatcek........... 10

Jill Vanden Heuvel........ 2

Marlayna Graff.............. 12

Gabrielle Olson.............. 15

Total 60 

The Vikings are home Friday, February 3 vs. Robbinsdale Cooper.

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