Forcier provides spark, Vraa scores 25 in 60-51 victory

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The Rosemount boys basketball team is learning many lessons early this season.

For a relatively inexperienced team with a new coach, a period of growth and development was bound to take place.

Being on the wrong end of a 15-0 run early in the first half against Lakeville North, the Irish took their latest lessons.

“A 15-0 run is never good — when it’s against you, at least,” Rosemount coach Bryan Schnettler said. “It was early and they were giving us some trouble. Early on, we’re learning how to win games. It’s good to go through adversity like that. We have to understand we can come back and win games like that. You just hope you don’t have to see any more 15-0 runs against you.”

The Irish led 5-0 before the Panthers went on their run. However, Rosemount recovered to earn a 60-51 victory at home last week. Lakeville North held a 25-24 halftime lead before the Irish posted a 10-point advantage in the second half.

“We got off to a little bit of a slow start,” Schnettler said. “That’s an issue we’ve been struggling with. It cost us with a few easy baskets for them. After that, it was a very nice 25 minutes of the game for us to end it.”

Schnettler called a timeout early to try and slow the momentum.

But it was the addition of a first-year varsity player that the coach credited for helping the Irish pull out of the early funk.

Sophomore Brandon Forcier entered the game for his first varsity action and proved to be a key.

“He’s been one of the vocal leaders and he brought some energy and leadership,” Schnettler said. “He got everyone going from there. Everyone focused and the energy got going a little bit more.

“Brandon just gave us really good energy off the bench. Zach Vraa played a great game. Justin Larson was good. Brandon Wolf was good. Toriano Tatum was good again.”

With renewed focus and energy, the starters came alive.

Vraa finished with 25 points and nine rebounds to go with three assists. Tatum had 12 points, five rebounds and three assists.

Wolf scored 11 points and Larson chipped in with 10 points.

Rosemount also held a 32-16 edge in rebounding.

It was the last game for the Irish before they took an extended holiday break. They next play in the Hastings tournament beginning Dec. 29.

“I’d like to be playing this week,” Schnettler said of the break. “We’re adding a few things offensively and defensively. We’re working hard and trying to improve every day. When we play again we want to be a better team than we are today.

“I think we’re in a pretty good spot at this point in the season. It’s still early and we’re still working on things, but it’s encouraging.”

Tags: boys basketball, sports