Roseville was intent on sharing nothing with league rival White Bear Lake.

The Raiders, who had already locked up a piece of the Suburban East Conference title, held a one-game lead over the Bears in the league standings heading into Friday's regular-season finale with White Bear Lake.

A loss by Roseville in the matchup would result in the Raiders and the Bears finishing tied atop the standings and being crowned conference co-champions.

“When you tie a game in softball, it’s called ‘kissing your sister,’ so we said we didn’t want to kiss our sister,” Roseville coach Jeff Crosby said. 

Luckily for the Raiders, ranked No. 7 in Class 4A by Minnesota Basketball News, there was no need for any figurative smooching as Roseville wrapped up the league championship outright with a 55-44 win over White Bear Lake at Roseville High School.

The No. 9-4A Bears (19-7, 14-2) seemingly had the Raiders (23-2, 15-0) ready to pucker up after taking a 22-21 lead into halftime. 

Roseville co-captain and senior forward Monica Burich said her team understood it needed a big second half to defeat White Bear Lake.

“We knew we had 18 more minutes to play and we needed to play for every single one of those,” said Burich, who finished with a game-high 22 points, four steals and three assists. “We were excited, and Crosby said we’re going to war right now.” 

The Raiders didn’t have their shields or swords drawn, but they did use a potent offensive attack to outscore the Bears 34-22 after halftime.

Burich, who sat out the last 4 minutes of the first half due to foul trouble, was especially lethal after halftime, scoring 14 points and going 5-for-6 from the free-throw line.

Crosby said Burich struggled in the first half because she tried to do too much but found success in the second after settling into the flow of the game.

Burich's second-half flourish was key to the Raiders' victory, but basketball is not the only sport in which she thrives.  

A standout middle hitter on Roseville’s volleyball team, Burich led the Raiders to a fourth-place finish at the state Class 3A tournament in November. She was also named Pioneer Press Volleyball Player of the Year, but decided to play basketball at the University of Colorado next year.

Burich said her basketball talents are inherent, and so is her passion for the sport.  

“I was born to play this game,” Burich said. “It’s what I love. Volleyball is great, but at the collegiate level, I’d be more effective playing basketball.” 

Friday’s game might not be the last time this season Roseville and White Bear Lake square off. There is a chance the teams will meet in the Class 4A, Section 4 tournament, which starts on March 4. 

The Raiders believe they can defeat the Bears again if they meet in the postseason, Burich said.

“They always put up a great fight,” she said. “They’re a very good team, and they’re very well coached and it’s going to be another battle out there. So you really can’t say for sure, but it’s always the hope.” 

Crosby said he knows what to expect if the teams do meet in the tournament.

“It’s going to be a game like (Friday’s), probably even more so,” Crosby said. 

He said Roseville’s victory provides the Raiders with confidence while also giving motivation to the Bears.

And if the teams do meet in the section final on March 12?

“Well, let’s see what happens,” Crosby said. “Hopefully we’re both there. We’re both good enough to get there. We just got to get there.” 

Roseville senior forward Monica Burich finished with a game-high 22 points and four steals as the Raiders captured the Suburban East Conference crown after defeating White Bear Lake 55-44 in the regular-season finale Friday night at Roseville High School.  

Sophomore guard Kaia Porter had 11 points and four assists and senior guard Sydni Dykes added seven points for the Raiders (24-2, 16-0), ranked No. 7 in Class 4A by Minnesota Basketball News.

Freshman forward Jordan Ferrand scored 10 points and grabbed four rebounds while junior guard Maddie Debilzan had nine points and two steals for the No. 9-4A Bears (19-7, 14-2).

Both teams begin postseason play March 4 with quarterfinal games in the Class 4A, Section 4 tournament.  

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