Chisago Lakes hosted Big Lake in a conference double header on Friday.
The girls would play the first game of the night. It was the regular season finale for both sides, and they each were looking for some momentum to carry into the playoffs.
As the game began Big Lake took an early lead, but the Wildcats were not far behind. Almost every basket the Hornets made was answered by the Wildcats, this kept the 1st half close and neither side could pull away. The largest lead Big Lake was able to get was 6 points and when it seemed like they were going to break away Chisago Lakes stormed back to tie the game. The Wildcats as many times as they tied the game they just couldn't take the lead away from Big Lake. But as the 1st half came to a close CL was able to get the final basket to end the half and carried that momentum into the break.
The 2nd half began and that momentum was in full tilt for the Wildcats. They came out and scored 10 unanswered points to not just take the lead, but swing everything in their favor. Big Lake was able to bounce back and cut into the deficit. Chisago Lakes held onto the lead for most of the 2nd half. The Hornets were able to retake the lead late in the game but it didn't last long. The Wildcats were determined and fought back to regain the lead. The teams would go back and forth but CL still held a lead. And with under a minute to go the Wildcats put the game away with some key free throws. All the hard work paid off and they finished the game with the win 56-52.
Scoring
Chisago Lakes:
Kayla Larson 17
Claire Beaver 14
Raeann Goehring 8
Kara Hall 6
Makenna Thorsen 4
Lilly Smith 3
Annika Smith 2
The boys game was also a close game but also very different. The start of the game was close each team was able to answer each others baskets, as scoring was not at a premium in this game. As the 1st half wore on the Wildcats had gotten into a little foul trouble. This lead to Big Lake being able to take advantage of turnovers and free throws. Despite this Chisago was still able to keep the game close and even tied. The frantic pace of the half continued and soon Big Lake was able to pull away. More turnovers, missed opportunities and foul trouble lead to the Hornets taking a double digit lead late in the half. The Wildcats were not going to go into the half quietly, they stormed back and cut their deficit to 8 at the half 57-49.
The 2nd half saw even more points put up on the scoreboard. The Wildcats continued to keep the game close getting as close as 5 points to the Big Lake lead before the Hornets would go on a run to go back up by double digits. This would continue throughout much of the 2nd half. As the game sprinted closer to its end, the Hornets gained control of the game and really started to pull away. Chisago played well but the Hornets seemed to hit on all of their plays late in the game. The Wildcats had some opportunities but their counterparts defense started to shut them down. Chisago Lakes fought hard but fell 118-95.
Scoring
Chisago Lakes:
Colton Betts 26
Joe Couwenhoven 19
Cohen Underhill 16
Will Pearson 8
Riley Estes 6
Colton Beaver and Blake Siefert 5
Alex Johnson 3
Luke Lasiuta, Will Walker and Charles Boarman 2
For Chisago Lakes, the girls will head into the playoffs and play North Branch on Wednesday in the 1st round of the playoffs. The boys will head to Becker on Tuesday for another conference battle.
