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The Chisago Lakes boys basketball team put up a fight in some Mississippi 8 Conference contests after rolling past Rock Ridge at home. Unfortunately, the ‘Cats came up short against a streaking Monticello team on the road and then suffering a heart-breaking two-point loss to Big Lake at home.

Chisago Lakes 89, Rock Ridge 66

The stretch began Friday, January 23, with one of Chisago Lakes’ most complete performances of the season, an 89-66 win over Rock Ridge. The Wildcats came out firing and never really cooled off, taking a 47-39 lead into halftime before blowing the game open in the second half with another 42-point outburst.

Junior Joe Couwenhoven set the tone early and often, finishing with 21 points on an efficient 9-of-12 shooting night while also handing out seven assists and grabbing six rebounds. Colton Betts was nearly unstoppable from the perimeter, knocking down six three-pointers and pouring in a team-high 27 points. Cohen Underhill added 17 points and seven rebounds, and Alex Johnson chipped in 10 points and five boards as Chisago Lakes shot 60 percent from the field.

The Wildcats’ defensive pressure created 15 steals from the Wolverines. It was the kind of night that showed what Chisago Lakes looks like when it’s playing fast basketball on both ends of the floor.

Monticello 81, Chisago Lakes 60

That momentum, however, was tough to carry into Tuesday’s road trip to Monticello. The Magic jumped out quickly, building a 44-26 halftime lead and never letting the Wildcats fully get back into the game in an 81-60 loss.

Couwenhoven again led the way with 20 points, adding five steals and four assists, but Monticello’s depth and steady offense kept Chisago Lakes chasing all night. Cohen Underhill scored 15 points, while Colton Beaver provided a spark with eight points, six rebounds and five assists. The Wildcats struggled to find consistency from beyond the arc, hitting just two three-pointers, and Monticello was able to control the tempo for most of the evening.

Big Lake 89, Chisago Lakes 87

On Friday, January 30, Chisago Lakes was back home for a matchup with Big Lake that turned into a classic back-and-forth battle. Neither team led by much throughout, and the game came down to the final possessions before Big Lake escaped with an 89-87 win.

Couwenhoven turned in a monster performance, scoring 35 points on 13-of-21 shooting while drilling five three-pointers and pulling down 11 rebounds. He was aggressive from the opening tip and gave the Wildcats a chance to win right down to the final seconds.

Underhill added 17 points and seven rebounds, while Betts scored 12 and Will Pearson chipped in seven points and 10 rebounds off the bench. Chisago Lakes faced a slim deficit at halftime and matched Big Lake point-for-point in the second half, but a few missed shots late proved costly.

The Wildcats are now coming down to the home stretch, with just eight games remaining in their schedule before the end of the regular season.

The ‘Cats currently sit at 7-11 with a 4-7 mark in the M8C.

The ‘Cats beat county rival North Branch for the second time this season earlier this week and will still take on Princeton, St. Francis, Becker and Cambridge-Isanti in conference, and Hermantown, Grand Rapids and South St. Paul in non-league play.

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