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The Wildcat boys played in another closely contested basketball game Monday, March 3 at Fridley. Chisago Lakes and the Tigers played to a halftime tie. But, Fridley outscored the 'Cats 39-32 in the second period to grab a 63-56 North Suburban Conference win.

This was a game like many the Wildcats have played this season. It was close most of the way and, with a break, a made three-pointer, a key rebound or an opponent's turnover at the right time, might have ended in a CL victory.

"It was a pretty even game," said Wildcat head coach Herb Jangor. "I think the seven point margin was as big as it got the entire game. Our kids played pretty well."

In Jangor's mind, the loss was the result of three factors. First, the Tigers grabbed 12 offensive rebounds, most of them in the second half. Second, the Wildcats had a hard time defending Tiger sharpshooter Isaiah Thomas. Third, only two Chisago players, Josh Figini (23 points) and Taylor Jones (15 points) scored more than four points.

"We couldn't keep them off the glass, giving them way too many second chances in the second half," Jangor explained. "We couldn't find Thomas on defense. And, we couldn't find a third scorer - they had a lot better balanced scoring than we did.

"We'd go to the top of the hill, but we couldn't get over it, " Jangor commented. "We couldn't get the one big shot we needed."

GAME SUMMARY

Chisago Lakes 24 32 56

Fridley 24 39 63

Wildcat Scoring

Cole Johnson 2

Eric Reed 2

Kyle Hogie 3

Mike Corradi 2

Evan Tienken 2

Taylor Jones 15

Josh Figini 23

Henry Fitzpatrick 4

Manny Cruceru 3

Total 56

Chisago Lakes at Benilde

Chisago Lakes completed its regular season schedule with a loss at Benilde-St. Margaret's Friday, March 7. The Wildcats stayed close for the first half of the first period, but Benilde pulled away for an 88-62 win.

"Kyle Hogie kept us in it at the beginning of the game," said Wildcat head coach Herb Jangor. "He hit about four long threes in the first 10 minutes." That changed when Jordan Taylor, Benilde's senior point guard, was assigned to defend Hogie.

"We played well to start the game. But, they turned up the defensive pressure and we didn't respond," Jangor continued. "They're a very good team. They have two outstanding kids (Taylor and senior forward Armond Battle) and they put three other kids out there who can shoot."

After the Red Knights opened a 20-point halftime lead, the Wildcats played well in the early minutes of the second half. "But, the same thing happened in the second half. They turned up the pressure and we didn't handle it very well," Jangor added. "It was one of those games where we just didn't have it.

"We haven't had many of those games in the second half of the season. Not much went right. Taylor played well for them. He was bombing NBA three's and, with his ability to go to the basket, he's awful tough to defend. And, Battle played a good game. He always likes to score and he came out and did a nice job on Josh (Figini) in this game," the CL mentor explained.

Turning his attention to the Wildcats' first Section 3AAA match-up, with the Minneapolis Patrick Henry Patriots, Jangor said, " I'm confident we'll come out with our 'A' game against Henry. And, if we come out with heart, will and the right mind set, we have a good chance to win.

"If we can overcome Henry's mystique, we have a good shot. There's no doubt in my mind that we'll come out and play hard. We have the ability to win, if we believe we can," Jangor concluded.

GAME SUMMARY

Benilde 48 40 88

Chisago Lakes 28 34 62

Wildcat Scoring

Eric Reed 4

Kyle Hogie 17

Quinn Collins 3

Mike Corradi 6

Zak Vrudney 2

Taylor Jones 5

Josh Figini 17

Manny Cruceru 8

Total 62

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