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The Chisago Lakes boys basketball  team spent their holiday break going against strong competition, and the Wildcats came away with just one win in three contests.

The ‘Cats opened play in the University of Minnesota-Duluth Holiday Classic on Monday, December 29, running into a buzzsaw in Duluth East. The Greyhounds set the tone early, jumping out to a 43-18 halftime lead and never letting the Wildcats find much rhythm in a 72-42 loss.

East’s defensive pressure disrupted Chisago Lakes throughout the first half, forcing quick shots and limiting second chances. The Wildcats managed just 13 field goals on 52 attempts for the game and struggled from beyond the arc, hitting 2-of-17 three-point tries.

Joe Couwenhoven led Chisago Lakes with 13 points, going 7-of-9 from the free-throw line, while Colton Betts added eight points and Cohen Underhill chipped in six. Will Pearson pulled down seven rebounds, and Alex Johnson and Underhill each contributed blocks on the defensive end. Despite a more competitive second half, where Chisago Lakes outscored East, comprised mostly of back backups, 29-24, the early hole proved too deep to climb out of.

The Wildcats responded the following night with a much stronger effort against Duluth Denfeld, pushing the Hunters to the final horn before falling 58-53. Chisago Lakes trailed 32-22 at halftime but came out aggressive in the second half, scoring 31 points and briefly threatening to flip the outcome.

Colton Betts delivered a great performance, scoring a game-high 19 points on 7-of-14 shooting and knocking down three three-pointers. Underhill added 11 points and six rebounds, while Couwenhoven finished with 10 points, four assists and a block. Johnson gave the Wildcats a spark inside with five points and seven rebounds.

Chisago Lakes shot just 5-of-24 from three-point range, but made up ground by attacking the basket and making good on their free throws  — they shot eight-of-10 while the Hunters shot just seven-of-15. 

The Wildcats had chances late, but Denfeld’s was able to hold CL off at every surge.

After two tough tournament losses, Chisago Lakes returned home on Friday, January 2, and delivered its most complete performance of the season in a 73-59 win over Hill-Murray. The Wildcats were behind 33-31 at halftime before erupting for 42 second-half points, overwhelming the Pioneers with balanced scoring and steady defense.

Underhill paced the Wildcats with 19 points on an efficient 6-of-10 shooting, adding five rebounds. Betts followed with 16 points, nine rebounds and three three-pointers, while Johnson controlled the paint with 12 points and a game-high 11 rebounds. Pearson contributed eight points and five boards, and Beaver added seven points, 10 rebounds and two blocks.

The rebounding disparaity between the two teams was really the difference in this contest. the Pioneers pulled down just 26 boards while Chisago Lakes almost doubled that number up with 49.  Just the trio of Johnson, Beaver and Betts outrebounded Hill-Murray as a whole team.

The win improved Chisago Lakes to 3-8 on the season and provided a much-needed boost as the Wildcats prepare for a challenging stretch of conference play. 

Chisago Lakes will look to build on that momentum when it travels to Zimmerman on Tuesday, January 13, to face the Thunder, and Friday, Jan. 16, at St. Francis to battle the Saints.

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