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Colorful victories for girls basketball team
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Wednesday, 20 February 2008
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Glen Strandberg
Sports Editor
It took a victory in last year’s section semifinals for the girls basketball team to reach 10 wins on a 10-19 season. Forest Lake is well beyond that mark in 2008 (15-9, 7-7), and if the Rangers find themselves in the 7AAAA finals again this March, their success could be traced back to a 48-40 defeat of Woodbury.
“Friday night (Feb. 15) was an outstanding win for our team, our program and our seniors,” head coach Jen Wagner said. “After having a tough loss against White Bear Lake, having our players come to practice with a renewed sense of dedication, the victory was a huge boost of confidence going into the last week of the season.”
When Forest Lake faced the Royals in January, the girls lost by one, miserable point. Last weekend, Woodbury entered the Suburban East Conference matchup with seven straight wins, a magnificent record (18-5, 10-4), and a roster full of experience.
After playing to a 22-22 first-half tie, the Rangers were able to pull away with an eight-point advantage and send the Royals out the door with its first loss in three weeks.
Forest Lake’s Annie Berner was a Royal pain for Woodbury, as the post player dropped in 24 points to lead all scorers. In typical fashion, teammate Gina Lange came through with 10 points, while Abi Iverson had six, and Kasey Kolnberger (eight steals) and Molly Steele each had four points.
“It was also our last regular season home game and Woodbury was the only team in our conference that our seniors had not beaten in their three years with me,” Wagner added. “Bottom line, it felt great for our entire program.”
If Friday night wasn’t enough, Wagner and the girls had to scoot up to Duluth on Saturday for an afternoon game against Duluth East. The focus quickly shifted from battling a conference opponent to fending off one from Section 7AAAA, but the 61-43 final lacked any real drama for the Rangers.
Wagner credited the entire team effort, and highlighted the performances of Kristie Miller and Audrey Mills, who came off the bench.
“Kristie is a lot like Kasey Kolnberger; very athletic with long arms. With the two of them able to get their arms out, getting tips on the basketball, we were able to make a run midway through the second half with the two of them leading our full-court pressure,” Wagner shared.
“Kasey had seven steals versus Duluth East and really has been our spark plug.”
Berner was unstoppable in this contest, as well, going for 29 points. Iverson hit for 11, Lange for nine, and Steele for seven points.
The girls finish up the regular season with two road games. On Tuesday they were at Roseville, and this Friday will have them in Stillwater.
Box score
Woodbury 22 18 - 40
Forest Lake 22 26 - 48
Woodbury - Lange 8, Sajevic 6, Betz 8, Kallman 7, C. Christoffel 8, Stromen 3.
Forest Lake - Iverson 6, Steele 4, Berner 24, Lange 10, Kolnberger 4.
Free throws - WB 10-14; FL 12-13. Three-pointers - WB 4; FL 0.
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