Faribault Girls Basketball Starts Season with a Win

Faribault Falcon head girls basketball coach Bill Bardal said after his team's season opening 51-44 victory at Cambridge-Isanti on Saturday, "It wasn't pretty, but it was a win."

The most impressive statistic for Faribault in the game in my opinion was the 10 turnovers. For years Falcon teams struggled in that department, and it was the difference in the game.

Faribault had just four turnovers in the second half. Meanwhile Cambridge-Isanti finished with 25 turnovers: 15 in the first half and 10 in the second.

The Falcons did not cash in on many of those turnovers, with just 13 points scored. The Bluejackets scored 6 points off turnovers.

Faribault was 10 of 21 from the free throw line and Cambridge-Isanti 9 of 13. Bardal was not happy with his team's 28 percent shooting but again said, "A win is a win."

The Bluejackets 6-foot freshman center Jana Swanson went down with an injury after the game. She was on crutches after the game and I asked here about the diagnosis. The trainer evidently thought her right knee "locked up." Swanson's mom told me she just got back from a torn ACL in her other knee. She had 6 points before her injury.

The Falcons were led by 6-foot senior Elana Palmer with 19 points and 5-foot-6 junior Grace Amacher with 12. They were our Faribault State Farm Insurance agents Faribault players of the game courtesy of Jason Krohn and Tony Langerud State Farm agents in Faribault.

The Falcons led 25-22 at the half despite 15 Bluejacket turnovers compared to six for Faribault. The Falcons scored only nine points off those turnovers and really should have had a double-digit halftime lead.

Faribault never trailed in the game.

Bluejacket 5-foot-10 senior Lanie Cox led her team with 18 points and 5-foot-10 junior Amanda Westberg added 10.

Both teams scored three three-point baskets, with Rachel Hanson connecting on two for Faribault, Lauren Isaacson had the other three-pointer.

Cambridge-Isanti plays in the very competitive Mississippi 8 Conference and travels to Coon Rapids on Tuesday. Faribault's next game is at home Thursday against Mankato West.