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North Branch’s balanced offense played nearly flawless basketball as the boys squad lit up Pine City like a Christmas tree on Tuesday, December 20 at home.

The Vikings scored 52 points in the first half and then cruised to a 77-35 victory over the Dragons in a mismatch.

North Branch got contributions up and down the lineup. Carson Klein had 17 points to lead the way, Tyler Minke had 14, Brody Beaver had 12 and Owen Link had 10 points.

Nine other Vikings scored points as they couldn’t miss, while also playing stifling defense that kept Pine City from reaching even 40 points.

The win moved North Branch to 4-1 on the year with a four game win streak in hand after losing the season opener.

They’ll take on Hutchinson and Rocori this week in the Granite City Classic in St. Cloud before getting back to their regular schedule. They’ll have four of their next five games after that holiday tourney at home, including dates with Hermantown, Cloquet, Big Lake and St. Francis. They have an away date with Monticello sprinkled in on Friday, January 6.

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