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The North Branch boys hoops squad failed to grab a win at the Granite City Classic in the two days after Christmas.

They dropped their first contest on Friday, December 26 against previously winless Providence Academy 80-73.

On Saturday, they fell 65-41 to the Rockford Rockets in their second game at Sauk Rapids-Rice High School.

The Vikings found themselves playing catch-up early as Rockford set the tone for a big first half. The Rockets raced out to a 37-18 halftime lead, capitalizing on North Branch turnovers and limiting the Vikes’ scoring chances in the half court.

Just as they have most of the season,  in which they only have one win in eight tries, North Branch struggled to find an offensive rhythm in the opening half, connecting on just eight field goals while Rockford spread the scoring around and consistently attacked the paint. The Rockets made 13 of 16 free throws on the day and knocked down timely perimeter shots to prevent the Vikings from mounting any sort of comeback.

Ethan Thorsen led the Vikes with 17 points, accounting for nearly half of NB’s offense. Thorsen provided a spark with five three pointers and was perfect from the free-throw line, helping the Vikings show more confidence after the break.

Jacob Knoespel followed with eight points, doing much of his damage at the stripe, while Vincent Dufeck added seven points. Dhaylen Bachrodt, Sawvkoob Yang and Jayden Carty each scored two points as the Vikings looked to spread the floor and generate scoring from multiple spots.

Rockford had four players in double figures, led by Ethan Robran’s 15 points. Mason Mooney finished with 14 points, while Ian Faber and Noah Torborg chipped in 13 and 11 points, respectively. 

North Branch did a bit better in the second half, sticking with the Rockets and showing improved energy and ball movement, but the early deficit proved too much.

The Vikes are now off for a week until they resume their Mississippi 8 Conference schedule with three straight away games against Cambridge-Isanti, Becker and Princeton on January 6, 9 and 13. Their next home game is a Friday, January 16 tilt with Monticello.

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