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The Wildcat girls' basketball team opened its season under first-year head coach Craig Walker at the Red Wing Tip Off Tournament Friday and Saturday, November 23-24.

River Falls 62, CL 47

In the season opener Friday, the Wildcats struggled in the opening minutes, falling behind 0-15 in the first minutes, and couldn't recover. CL cut the deficit to nine points in the final minutes, but River Falls regained the momentum and finished strong. River Falls used its transition game and easy baskets off Wildcat turnovers to notch the win.

Megan Corradi led CL with 15 points. Kori Sells added 11 and grabbed nine rebounds. "We kept the offensive pressure on and shot 24 free throws, but only made eight," Walker commented. "We just need to focus, have confidence at the line and capitalize when the clock's off."

Scoring Summary

Chisago Lakes 18 29 47

River Falls 30 32 62

Wildcat Scoring

Ristow, Kelsey 0

Farrell, Amanda 0

Trandahl, Cassie 2

Lundberg, Alyssa 3

Tinjum, Whitney 3

Young, Summer 6

Corradi, Megan 15

Peterson, Jamie 0

Sells, Kori 11

Coyle, Brenna 7

Total 47

Waseca 60, CL 51

Saturday, both teams got off to a slow start, offensively. "We doubled our offensive output in the second half," Walker said, "but Waseca came close, as well."

A total of 48 fouls were called in the game as both teams struggled to play disciplined basketball defensively. "Most of our starters were in foul trouble, early," Walker continued. "Emotionally, I think we lost focus a few times, became frustrated and committed a foul. With the new emphasis on contact and hand checking, that loss of focus cannot happen. Our freethrow percentage improved dramatically."

According to the coach, the improved freethrow shooting kept them in the game, "but our passing let us down. We committed over 30 turnovers, which means we had 30 less chances to put the ball in the hoop. You're not going to be successful at this level with that many turnovers. Most teams in the North Suburban will run you out of the gym if you give them the ball that many times.

"We did create good scoring chances for ourselves, but the shots aren't falling this early. Brenna Coyle played a great game and was one of the few of our starters not in foul trouble," Walker added.

Coyle finished with 15 points and 17 rebounds. Kori Sells added 11 and Whitney Tinjum hit a pair of back-to-back threes in the second half to keep CL close. Tinjum finished with 10 points for the 'Cats.

Scoring Summary

Chisago Lakes 17 34 51

Waseca 22 38 60

Wildcat Scoring

Ristow, Kelsey 2

Farrell, Amanda 0

Trandahl, Cassie 0

Lundberg, Alyssa 0

Tinjum, Whitney 10

Young, Summer 2

Corradi, Megan 9

Peterson, Jamie 2

Sells, Kori 11

Coyle, Brenna 15

Total 51

Walker analyzed the early-season games by saying, "These early games are tough on teams that are not established from last season. They can be a success for a team that didn't lose much from the previous season, but if you're in our situation, with another new coach and really one player with a significant role returning, they are tough.

"Most teams will not open the season until the last week in November. The tournament did give us a chance to see what our players can do and what adjustments need to be made before we open North Suburban Conference play. We played 10 players significant minutes in both games and saw a lot of promise from many of them.

"Seniors Megan Corradi, Kori Sells and Brenna Coyle handled the load offensively, as was expected and Whitney Tinjum and Summer Young both contributed to second half runs in each game. Defensively, Megan and Summer did a nice job, but will have to adjust to new rules emphasis when guarding out on the perimeter as each was in foul trouble versus Waseca.

"Kori and Brenna rebounded well, especially Brenna, in the Waseca game. I think she made a conscious effort to block out better Saturday and it showed with a double-double (17 rebounds to go along with 15 points). We need to improve our shooting from the field and on the line and will need to pass the ball better in the half court. These are things that we'll continue to work to improve upon as the season goes," Walker concluded.

The Wildcats open the conference season tonight (Thursday, November 29) at North Branch, starting at 7:15. Saturday, December 1, they travel to Cambridge for a 2:30 p.m. start before returning home to face St. Louis Park Tuesday, December 4 at 7:15.

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