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North Branch toppled Chisago Lakes for the third time this year to win their opener in the Section 7AAA postseason bracket, but unfortunately ran into second seeded Hermantown in the semifinals and were eliminated, ending their season.

North Branch 60, Chisago Lakes 45

The third-seeded Vikings jumped all over the sixth-seeded Wildcats in this contest, building a 38-14 lead by halftime. Seniors Ella Kuhlman and Jo Bartkey were the catalysts, with Kuhlman hitting a dazzling array of long range shots, as is the norm for her, and Bartkey taking advantage of CL’s lack of size down low.

Chisago Lakes, who got one of their top players back from injury in Annika Hall, couldn’t quite keep up with the pace and fell behind. The Wildcats did answer back nicely in the second half, trimming the lead down, but it was far too little, far too late, as the Vikings still won by 15 points.

For the game, Kuhlman had a game high 24 points to go along with seven rebounds, five assists and four steals. Bartkey had a double-double for the Lady Vikes, scoring 12 points and securing 10 boards. Maria Damiani added eight points for the Vikings.

On Chisago Lakes’ end, their season ended with just Claire Beaver in double figures. The freshman had 11 points while fellow freshman Annika Hall and junior Kayla Larsen each had eight points in the losing effort.

Chisago Lakes ended the season 3-24 on the year and their hope is that the youngsters earning a lot of playing time continue to grow and develop over the offseason.

Hermantown 78, North Branch 45

The Hawks, who were 17-8 coming into the game and already had beaten the Vikings by 13 early in the season, wasted no time pouring it on offensively. They scored 47 points in the opening half, and the Vikings were down by more than 20 points. Hermantown only extended that lead in the second half, running away with a 33 point win, ending NB’s season.

Bartkey again had a nice night down low, finishing with 17 points and six rebounds, but Kuhlman had a tough day at the office shooting the ball. She finished with 15 points, but shot just five-of-22 from the field, including three-of-15 from beyond the arc. She did add eight rebounds, and Bella Folkema also had four points and 10 rebounds, but it just wasn’t enough on the offensive end to hang with Hermantown.

The loss ends North Branch’s season at 16-12, but more importantly, it ends the career of Kuhlman, who shattered many of the school’s records throughout her six year career, and will be sorely missed as she continues her basketball career at Concordia-St. Paul. Besides Kuhlman, the Vikings have a massive senior class and will have a brand new look next year. Joining Kuhlman as a senior is Bartkey, Katelyn Lattimore, Ashley Bistodeau, Damiani, Folkema and Hailey Diaz, all who have contributed significantly to North Branch’s team over the last few years.

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