|
Tough challenges sneak past girls basketball team
|
|
|
|
Wednesday, 06 February 2008
|
Glen Strandberg
Sports Editor
Nearly two weeks ago, head coach Jen Wagner was thrilled to see her girls basketball team knock off Hastings and Mounds View, giving Forest Lake the season series against two Suburban East Conference schools.
Before trouncing Chisago Lakes on Saturday afternoon, the Rangers stumbled at home to both Cretin-Derham Hall and Park. Forest Lake could use another dose of that positive attitude as they head to White Bear Lake on Feb. 8.
Ever since the Bears surprised Forest Lake in their first meeting, White Bear has gone 5-2, while the Rangers have gone an up-and-down and up-and-down 4-4.
But coming off the two conference defeats, Forest Lake simply had too much talent for Chisago Lakes to match up with, as evidenced by the lopsided 84-51 score.
Plus it was Senior Day, which had the girls playing with a bit more emotion.
“It was a great game led by the play of our seniors. It was exciting to watch the five of them playing together,” Wagner said.
The Rangers averaged 48 points during their two previous contests, but against Chisago they poured in 51 in the first half alone.
Gina Lange totalled 19 points in the game, which was tops on a team that had 13 players score.
Abi Iverson was next with 13, and Katie Anderson followed with 12 points.
The 33-point victory came a day after Forest Lake hosted Park, and even though the Wolfpack won 46-41, there were plenty of reasons the Rangers could feel confident after the setback.
“Friday versus Park the kids executed the game plan to perfection,” Wagner shared. “Considering the first time we played Park it was seven to 39 at halftime, I could not have been more proud of our effort and the way we responded.”
When compared to the Wolfpack, Wagner’s squad was lacking in size and height, but the Rangers kept it close by limiting Park to just 14 points in the second half.
“Defensively, it was one of our best efforts,” Wagner said. “We just missed a couple of opportunities offensively to win the game.”
In such a low-scoring affair, it’s no surprise to see just five girls score for Forest Lake. After Lange’s 19 points and Iverson’s 13, the next in line were both Molly Steele and Annie Berner with four points each.
The difficult losses began on Tuesday, Jan. 29, when Cretin-Derham Hall came to town. Wagner admits that it would have been a nice boost to finish off the Raiders for a second time this season, but Cretin is a very good team.
“They made a run on us midway through the second half; we were unable to handle their press and pressure, having careless turnovers in which they were able to score off of,” Wagner said.
Forest Lake (13-8, 6-6) was only down by five at the break, but after the Raiders second-half flurry, they were able to pad their lead with late free throws.
Lange went for 20 in this one, and she had help coming from Berner (17 points) and Kasey Kolnberger (10 points).
|
