Glenn Strandberg
Sports Editor

Coming off an overtime home loss to Stillwater, the girls basketball team had to pick itself up and take on an even more talented team in Roseville, and do it on the road. If that wasnít enough of a joyride, the girls could look forward to a trip to Cretin-Derham Hall on Friday night for a game against the just-as-tough Raiders of CDH. Let the fun begin.

ìTuesday against Roseville, that was just a tale of two halves,î head coach Jen Wagner said.

On Dec. 12, Forest Lake took on Roseville and promptly found themselves down 28-14 at the break, but then they simply returned the favor in the second half. They stormed back to a 30-17 advantage in the final 18 minutes of play, but those numbers add up to a final score of 45-44 in favor of Roseville.

Senior Andrea Thompson was a force, totalling 20 points and 10 rebounds in the defeat.

CRETIN LOSS

With those two difficult defeats lingering in the memory banks, the Rangers faced Cretin in what turned out to be a very entertaining contest.

ìIt was a good game,î Wagner said. ìI felt like the kids played well. The biggest thing is you just got to look at turnovers.î

Forest Lake continues to average around 20 turnovers per game and Cretin likes to pressure the ball. Also working against the Rangers was the absence of senior Janelle Winiecki and junior Kasey Kolnberger. Their energy and standard contributions could have offset the play of Alyssa Karel, who cut loose for 29 points and eight rebounds for Cretin in the 66-57 Raider win.

Thompson was hot again for Forest Lake, leading the squad with 19 points, 10 rebounds and four assists. Helping her on the boards was senior Sarah Lindenberg who pulled down nine.

With three difficult losses, Wagner and her staff are trying to ensure the team doesnít get down on itself. The record may say 2-5, but it wouldnít have taken much to flip those numbers around.

ìTo the girls credit, our work ethic has not dropped off, attitudes have not dropped off,î Wagner said. ìItís been good to see the improvement the kids are making, but again, itís tough when you look at your record and well, youíre 2-5.î

The Rangers remain on the road until early January, as the team played at Mounds View on Tuesday, Dec. 19, before playing at Minnetonka on Friday, and then participating in a holiday tournament in Rogers.

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