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The North Branch girls basketball team was looking for a measure of revenge as they traveled to Chisago Lakes on Tuesday, February 12, but they left disappointed. The ‘Cats secured a 69-56 win to finish the season sweep of the Vikings.

North Branch’s shooting was a bit better in this compared to the first match up, and Paige Peaslee was able to avoid the serious foul trouble that plagued her.

Those two factors added up to a much closer opening stanza than last time when CL doubled up the Vikes 32-16.

Despite Peaslee’s presence in the post, Chisago Lakes sophomore Sophie Wood still did some serious work down low. She finished the game with 15 points, 11 rebounds and three blocks, so her presence was definitely felt on both ends of the floor. In two games against North Branch this year, Wood averaged 16 points per game and 14.5 rebounds per game.

With individuals standing out on both side, the game was eventually 44-42 midway through the second half, but the Wildcats took over and went on a 27-14 run over the last part of the game and pulled away to win 69-56. “It was a great game for us with balanced scoring all around,” Head Coach Craig Walker said.

Wood’s 15 led the way and Lizzy Godden missed her first career double-double by one rebound, scoring 13 points and grabbing nine boards. Hannah Gillach had 12 points, seven rebounds and three assists. Both Greta Gillach and Maddy Ritter scored seven points. Sarah Bjelland had a good all around game, scoring five points with six assists, three rebounds and two steals.

For North Branch, Peaslee led the way with 19 points, Gail Nelson had 14 points and eight rebounds and Kate Carlson had seven points, 10 rebounds and four assists.

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