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The North Branch girls basketball team may be just coming off a six game losing streak, but you’d never guess it with their inspired play last week.

North Branch 66, Big Lake 61

The Vikings topped Big Lake on Tuesday, January 30, avenging a loss to the Hornets earlier this year, by building a first half lead and then holding on in the second half.

North Branch got the most balanced scoring they’ve had on offense this year, and that was a key in holding off the Hornets. Kayla Diedrich led the way with 19 points, but Bella Folkema scored 17, Jo Bartkey had 13, Ella Kuhlman added 10 and Katelyn Lattimore had seven points.

The Lady Vikings led 28-22 at the break and then a big offensive second half from both teams raced the score up, but North Branch retained the lead throughout, eventually winning 66-61.

Becker 53, North Branch 47

Although the Bulldogs aren’t the world beaters they’ve been for the last decade, they are still leading the Mississippi 8 Conference with a 9-1 record on the season. North Branch almost changed that one to a two. 

Behind Lattimore’s best game of her career, the Vikings hung with Becker throughout the whole contest. They led the Bulldogs 25-22 at the break, but Becker’s Alexis Rose ended up taking over the game late and willing Becker to the win, 53-47.

Lattimore had 10 points and four rebounds for NB. Diedrich added nine points and Kuhlman had eight points, seven rebounds and five assists.

North Branch 63, Hibbing 39

The Vikings put an exclamation point on their week with a 63-39 shellacking of the four-win Hibbing Bluejackets on Saturday, February 3.

North Branch led by 20 at halftime, only giving up 12 points, and cruised through the second half. Diedrich scored a game-high 26 points and had 11 rebounds. Kuhlman had 11 points and eight assists, Barkey chipped in nine points and five boards and some reserves got some fun playing time for NB.

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