Lady Braves off to a fast start
By Jerry W. Kram
The Braves were one game away from a trip to the North Dakota state basketball tournament last year. They are making a strong statement with three wins in their first four games that they want to take that next step in their 2014-15 campaign. That has earned the a ninth place ranking in the initial North Dakota Girls Basketball Coach’s poll.
The Braves kicked off their season with a trip up Highway 8 to face the Stanley Blue Jays and came away with a 59-52 victory on Dec. 2.
The following weekend, they participated in the Shootout on the Prairie in Minot where they took on the Dickinson Trinity Titans on Friday and won, 44-39. The game was close throughout, with the Braves holding a three point lead and the end of each of the first three quarters. They outscored the Titans 10-8 in the final quarter for the five point win.
Michelle Risan and Kiara Packineau both scored 12 points and Cheyenne Packineau kicked in 11 while Kennedy Keator scored 20 for the Titans.
Saturday, the Braves were tested by the Thompson Tommies, the second ranked team in North Dakota. This time, another close contest didn’t favor the Braves as they fell in defeat by a scant two points, 38-36. Thompson held a six point lead at the half, but otherwise the Braves kept the score within two points at the end of every other quarter.
Cheyenne Packineau led the scoring with 18 points. None of the Tommies scored in double figures.
