Chisago Lakes topples Hibbing

Chisago Lakes 70, Hibbing 26
There isn’t an available bye in Section 7AAA for girls basketball, but the Chisago Lakes Wildcats got as close to one as they could in an overwhelming win over Hibbing in the first round of the playoff bracket. The Wildcats were clearly the better team on paper and on the court. It didn’t take long for Bryanna Fernstrom, Sarah Greene and Carmen Backes to establish their presence, as they scored a combined 56 points in their limited action. The Wildcats jumped out to an early lead, using their size advantage on both ends of the floor. By halftime the Wildcats were up by nearly 30 at 46-17.

It only took a handful of minutes in the second half to seal the game in their favor and sit the starters. Fernstrom ended with 28 points, Greene with 14 and Backes with 14. Some of CL’s seldom used reserves got in on the scoring action alo, as Sally Nelson, Megan Malaski and Alyssa Bjelland all scored baskets for the ‘Cats, sending the bench into an excited frenzy. The win means Chisago Lakes took on Hermantown on Wednesday, March 12 in the section semifinals at Duluth Denfeld. The Hawks upset Cloquet 55-53 in the first round. The Wildcats beat Hermantown 69-55 to move on to the section finals on Friday, March 14 against second-seeded Grand Rapids.