Bluejackets Sweep Double Header Over Chisago Lakes

Cambridge-Isanti took both of their basketball squads to Chisago Lakes on Tuesday night.

The girls teams played first, these two met before the Christmas break, and it was a close game that the Wildcats came away with. And they got off to a good start in this game. They captured an early lead and were able to keep that lead through much of the 1st half. One of the reasons they were able to get and hold the lead was their rebounding, they allowed very few 2nd chance scoring opportunities. But despite their momentum, their lead was never larger than 5 points. The Bluejackets were able to create turnovers and give themselves more opportunities. And sooner than later this helped them to overcome the short deficit and eventually take the lead. This had quickly swung momentum and they ran into the half with a 25-21 lead.

The 2nd half was once again a defensive battle. The offenses struggled to get into rhythm but they kept battling. The Bluejackets held the lead for much of the 2nd half, but fouls began to pile up and this allowed Chisago Lakes to play alittle more aggressive. The Wildcats were able to use this to overcome the deficit and tie the game with under a minute to go. With under 20 seconds left, C-I found themselves at the free throw line with a chance to retake the lead. Both of the shots were made and they lead by 2 with under 10 seconds. The Wildcats would find themselves at the charity strip with under a second left, giving them a chance to once again tie the game. But both free throws were missed and C-I get their first win of the year 41-39.

Scoring

C-I:

Kallie Ostlund 17

Allie Troolin 11

Reese Oliver 7

Scarlet Porta and Finley Nelson 3

Chisago Lakes:

Kayla Larsen 10

Raeann Goehring and Madison Eagle 9

Claire Beaver 6

Mariana Cooksley 5

Now on to the boys game, and it certainly lived up to the hype of the first.

Early on the Jackets momentum on their side, thanks in part to hitting the long ball 7 times in the 1st half. They also did a good job creating turnovers and keeping the Wildcats on their heels. But CL was not going to be ousted, they found some success with their team speed and forced C-I into foul trouble early. They found themselves at the free throw line plenty, thanks to 13 1st half fouls on C-I, but weren't able to be as efficient as they would've liked to have been. They shot well under 50% from the free throw line. Both teams did a good job of playing their style of basketball, but it was the Bluejackets with the lead at half 37-25.

The 2nd half saw the script completely flip, the Wildcats wasted no time in swinging momentum in their favor. They once again used their team speed to set the pace and this forced C-I to fall behind on many plays. So the Wildcats were able to get their guys open for a plethora of easy looks. It didn't take long and they had taken over the lead in big way. It seemed like the Bluejackets had no answer to anything the Cats were doing. While they were still able to score, they just couldn't keep up it seemed. While the Wildcat lead was only 4 points, the entire gym could tell it felt much much larger. The game was nearing its end and the Wildcats were looking to hold onto the lead, but both teams found themselves in alittle bit of foul trouble and made some free throw shots. But the Bluejackets once again made 7 three points shots in the 2nd half and along with the free throws they made, they were able to overcome the deficit and retake the lead. And the craziness ensued, both teams upped the ante and the pace was relentless. With about 10 seconds left, C-I was at the free throw line leading by 1, they made both of the shots and lead by three. There was still time left for one more chance for the Wildcats, and they delivered with a buzzer beater three to take the game to overtime.

Chisago used that buzzer beater as momentum and controlled the first part of ot. Again the Jackets in foul trouble had to get creative with 4 guys out due to fouling out. Playing from behind with 4 guys forced to sit seemed like a mountain to climb. But they were able to stay calm and play level headed. They were able to drain a few more shots from three which helped them to take the lead back and eventually win it in overtime 75-70.

Scoring

C-I:

Peyton Coplan 17

Jameson Epple and Trey Gustafson 16

Tate Lines 8

Jack Roberts 6

Logan Majorwicz 5

Cruiz Dissing 3

Lane Nelson and Eddie Lundeen 2

Chisago Lakes:

Joe Couwenhoven 29

Cohen Underhill 19

Logan Senske 7

Colton Betts and Alex Johnson 5

Colton Beaver 4

Luke Leadholm 1