---

North Branch 44, Chisago Lakes 37

In the annual Chisago County showdown, the Vikings and Wildcats square off for local bragging rights.

The two teams go at it twice a year, and in the first go-around this year, the Vikings came out on the better end of the match up because of their lockdown defense.

"This Chisago Lakes win was a big one for us," North Branch Head Coach Dan Schindler said. "It's always fun when these two teams get together. I don't think the coaches have to say much to get the girls ready to play."

Senior Megan Scherer stepped up right away for the Vikings, scoring on North Branch's first two possessions for a quick 4-0 lead.

But the red and white were answered quick by a Whitney Tinjum three-pointer. Tinjum didn't stop there, either. The freshman phenom made good on her first three baskets, which were all three-pointers.

"It looked like it was going to be a shootout," Schindler noted.

The rest of the first half was a see-saw affair as neither team could distinguish themselves from the other. North Branch's biggest lead came with about one minute left in the half at five points, but the Wildcats swiped a few steals and made good on the baskets to take a one point lead going into halftime at 27-26.

In a stark contrast from the first half, the second half turned in a defensive-oriented slugfest. "I think both teams were able to shut down what the other team wanted to do, and neither team could get anything going offensively," Schindler explained.

With the game tied at 31, North Branch's Kendra Norman defined herself as the difference maker. She was fouled while attempting a three-point shot, and she calmly stepped to the line and made all three shots. The Wildcats scored on their next possession on a Tinjum basket, but Norman strutted back down the court and drained a three pointer to stretch the lead to four.

With the Vikings defense, that's the only lead they needed as they limited Tinjum and the rest of her teammates to only 10 second half points.

"You have to give credit to our defense as we were able to hold Chisago Lakes to only 10 points," Schindler said. "We always stress defense and that is what won this game for us. Our team just did a great job as a unit in the second half."

Norman led the Vikings with 15 points and five steals, and Scherer added 13 points and nine rebounds. Rebecca Collins nearly earned a double-double as she scored nine points and grabbed 10 boards.

For the Wildcats, Tinjum led the way with 21 points and nine rebounds. The problem for them, however, was their lack of scoring besides Tinjum. Summer Young had a solid all-around game, netting seven points, five steals, five rebounds and three assists.

Other than those two, only four Wildcats scored a combined 10 points.

---