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North Branch girls basketball got their season underway last week with two games in three days, and they split the pair of non-conference games.

Braham 61, North Branch 47

North Branch got behind quickly against the Bombers from Braham on Thursday, November 21, and they couldn’t ever get back in the game with them.

Braham outscored NB 36-27 during the first half, with North Branch struggling from the three point line.

In the second half, they were able to limit Braham to just 25 points, but their offense was stuck in the mud a bit, only scoring 20 points themselves.

Katelyn Lattimore opened her senior season with a nice game, scoring 16 points for the Vikings. Fellow senior Ella Kuhlman had 11 points, 13 rebounds and seven assists, but she had a tough time from the three point line — which has been her calling card over her illustrious career — going 0-for-7.

North Branch 64, Duluth Denfeld 16

The Vikings shook off the season opening loss in a major way on Saturday, November 23, beating the Hunters from Duluth Denfeld 64-16.

Everything went right for the Vikings, especially on defense, where they limited Denfeld to 11 points in the first half and just five in the second.

Meanwhile, on offense, Kuhlman heated up, scoring 21 points to go with four rebounds, four assists and four steals.

Senior Jo Bartkey had a great game down in the post scoring 16 points to go with six rebounds.

North Branch played their last game before Thanksgiving break against Two Rivers on Tuesday, November 26. They’ll be back on the court for their first away game on Tuesday, December 3, traveling to Hermantown to take on the Hawks.

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