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NORTH BRANCH GIRLS

North Branch 76, Grand Rapids 59

The Vikings got a huge performance from senior Ella Kuhlman out of the Christmas and New Years break, and it led them to a 76-59 win over Grand Rapids on Saturday, January 4 at the Thunderhawks home gym.

Kuhlman had 34 points, 12 rebounds, nine steals and seven assists to lead NB over the floundering Grand Rapids squad that fell to 1-11 on the year.

There were plenty of others that chipped in offensively for the Vikings, with Bella Folkema, Maria Damiani, Natalia Rosales, Katelyn Lattimore and Hailey Diaz all scoring six or more points. Jo Bartkey also added eight rebounds and four points.

The win marks North Branch’s fifth in their last six games to move to 7-4 on the year. They now enter the thick of their Mississippi 8 Conference schedule. 

They took on Cambridge-Isanti and Zimmerman this week in away games before hosting Princeton on Tuesday, January 14. 

NORTH BRANCH BOYS

Hibbing 80, North Branch 57

The Vikings came back rested after having New Years off, but it didn’t help them in an 80-57 loss to Hibbing on Saturday, January 4.

The Bluejackets, who are now 7-3 on the year, blitzed NB early and didn’t let up, leading to the blowout.

The loss dropped NB to 2-6 on the year. The Vikes took on Cambridge and Zimmerman this week before traveling to Rock Ridge on Saturday, January 11 and hosting Princeton on Tuesday, January 14.

CHISAGO LAKES GIRLS

Chisago Lakes 55, Hibbing 45

After starting the season 0-9, the Wildcats got their second win in a row by beating the Hibbing Bluejackets on Saturday, January 4 in Hibbing.

The win pushed CL to 2-9 on the year, but things will get a bit tougher now as they get to the meat of their M8C slate. They took on Princeton and Cambridge-Isanti earlier this week. and will host Zimmerman and St. Francis on Tuesday, January 14 and Thursday, January 16.

CHISAGO LAKES BOYS

Centennial 99, Chisago Lakes 66

The ‘Cats came out of the break facing two Class AAAA schools, and it didn’t end well in either contest.

Chisago Lakes hosted Centennial on Monday, December 20 and despite 27 points from Joe Couwenhoven, the ‘Cats lost by 33 points.

The Cougars led by 15 at half and extended that lead in the second half with a deep scoring rotation of Jackson Driessen (31 points), Tristan Hanson (22 points) and a combination of Max Johnson, Kellen Binder, and Charlie Beck, who combined for 28 points.

Will Pearson was the only other Wildcat in double figures, scoring 11 points for CL.

Mounds View 78, Chisago Lakes 41

The first half was an absolute nightmare for the Wildcats when they hosted the Mustangs from Mounds View on Friday, January 3.

Mounds View jumped out to a 55-17 lead at the break, and it was mostly just playing out running time in the second half.

Couwenhoven and Cohen Underhill led CL with 11 points each. The Mustangs were led by Nate Edelman and Alex Kriauciunas, who each had 20 points, and Jack Dahl’s 15 points.

The ‘Cats will be back in their own weight class going forward, starting their M8C schedule. They took on Princeton and Cambridge-Isanti this week and will host Zimmerman and and St. Francis on Tuesday, January 14 and Thursday, January 16.

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