Panther girls on six-game win streak
Lakeville North basketball tops Eagles, 55-46
It’s much easier to take a loss during the regular season if the team learns from its mistakes.
Since starting the season 4-4, the Lakeville North girls basketball team has rebounded its way back into contention.
After losing to Holy Family Catholic on Dec. 27 by four points at the St. Olaf Invitational, the Panthers have turned its season right around winning six in a row including a 55-46 victory against Apple Valley on Tuesday night, but no one is celebrating just yet.
“We have had a nice streak of wins, but to be honest they are games we should have won,” head coach Andy Berkvam said.
The girls also defeated Bloomington Jefferson, Burnsville and Eagan in January.
Against Apple Valley, Taylor Stewart had 16 points. Erika Rozell and Simone Kolander each had nine helping the girls get to 10 victories faster than last year.
The team’s losses aren’t anything to be ashamed about either. In December the girls lost to Hopkins, Eastview and Bloomington Kennedy, the No. 1-3 ranked teams in Class 4A.
The girls also had wins against Centennial and Eden Prairie, both ranked in the top 10, in December.
“We feel like if we can keep improving we will have a great chance to win our section and advance to the state tournament,” Berkvam said.
The Panthers have qualified for state for three straight seasons.
“I am pleased with the season at this point,” Berkvam said. “Our team is starting to come around and we are working very hard on our depth.”
The girls will head to Rosemount on Friday before a four-game homestand with St. Paul Central, Prior Lake, Lakeville South and a rematch with Bloomington Kennedy on Jan. 29.
