Baraga holds off Chassell in battle of top teams
BARAGA — Going into the fourth quarter Monday evening, the Baraga Vikings appeared to be comfortably in charge of a key Copper Mountain Conference matchup with the Chassell Panthers. Holding a 36-25 advantage, things appeared to be going the Vikings’ way despite senior Carsyn Osterman being held to just five points.
Over the next six minutes, the Panthers shaved that lead down to 41-40. Osterman changed all that with a clutch 3-pointer from the top of the key with just 1 minute, 54 seconds remaining to help the Vikings hold on for a 44-42 win.
Vikings coach Keith Willis was very complimentary of the way the Panthers pressed Baraga in the final minutes and forced them to attempt shots without setting up their offense.
“They are going to be [difficult] in the districts,” said Willis. “They are still going to win a lot more games this year. I am glad we are done with them.”
After surrendering several turnovers through the first 24 minutes of play, the Panthers turned to junior Sydney Danison, who scored nine of her game-high 16 points during that final quarter, along with sophomore Jenna Pietila who made two key 3-pointers as part of her eight-point quarter to pull within one.
“Jenna Pietila came out and hit some big shots that we needed,” said Panthers Brandi Hainault. “Sydney is a great player. We were able to get it in to her and let her find the bucket.”
The Vikings got only eight points on the night from Osterman, but that was all they needed. Not even certain she would be able to play prior to gametime, Osterman not only played, but paced the offense throughout the night by making smart passes and hitting a few key shots.
“She had some huge rebounds,” said Willis. “She had [several] assists.
“If we can win with her not scoring, that is a good thing.”
Monday evening also marked the coming out party of junior Chelsea Pittsley. Having started the year on the junior varsity team, Pittsley, who was a recent callup, had her strongest night yet, scoring 11 points through the first 24 minutes of the contest on the strength of three 3s.
“We had a gameplan with Chelsea and it could not have worked out any better,” said Willis. “She had her best game of the year. It was fun.”
Pittsley’s first 3 came late in the first quarter from the left corner, turning a 6-4 lead into a 9-4 lead. Her second came, with three minutes left in the first half, quickly off a pass from Osterman. The basket turned another three-point lead into a 17-11 lead.
Pittsley final 3 came with 3:32 left in the third quarter, turning an eight-point lead into a 28-17lead off another well-placed pass from Osterman.
Still, despite the Vikings’ strong play for the first 24 minutes, the Panthers pressed to open the fourth quarter and, after a challenge from Hainault to be better, were able to force poor shot choices from Baraga, leading to an early layup from Danison. Pietila followed a minute later with a 3 from the left side off a well-timed pass from Danison, cutting the Vikings’ lead to 39-30.
On the next possession, the Panthers (9-4, 7-2) turned to Danison again, and she not only got a layup to fall, she also drew Baraga senior Kerstyn Clisch’s fifth foul. Danison finished off the 3-point play with a free throw.
After the Vikings regained an eight-point advantage, Pietila drained another 3 from the right side. On the next possession, she was sent to the line and made both free throws, trimming Baraga’s lead to 41-38.
Danison drew another foul while making a layup after an inbound with 2:24 in the game. She missed the ensuing free throw that could have tied the game.
After Osterman hit her 3, Danison came back down the floor and snatched an offensive rebound and put up a layup to cut Baraga’s lead to 44-42.
Osterman and the Vikings (11-2, 8-1) ran a very patient offense over the game’s final 1:28 to hold off the Panthers and keep them from getting the ball back until the final seconds of the contest.
Next, Baraga goes to Jeffers on Thursday
Chassell 4 9 12 17 – 42
Baraga 11 12 13 8 – 44
CTS: Danison 16, Pietila 12, Allen 8, Hokenson 4, Rautiola 2; Fouls: 14; Fouled out: none; 3-point field goals: Pietila 2, Allen 2
BHS: Mleko 12, Pittsley 11, Osterman 8, J. Kinnunen 4, M. Kinnunen 3, M. Jahfetson 2, A. Jahfetson 2, Clisch 2; Fouls: 15; Fouled out: Clisch; 3-point field goals: Pittsley 3, Osterman 1, M. Kinnunen 1