#1 posting 5.15.2008
your daily dose of girls basketball news & information
COLLEGE DECISIONS
Gretta Hjelseth of Nevis is headed to Michigan Tech. Hjelseth competed with the 1A All Stars in April. The 5-10 guard averaged 26 ppg for Nevis last year. Also MTU bound is Krista Pelky of Oshkosh West.
Molly Wold is following her high school coach Tom Suelzle from Watford City to Williston State. From the Williston Herald.
photo: Hjelseth in the Minnesota coaches All Star game series. photo by kja
TWIN MOVES
The Hoffman twins of the University of South Dakota and Mitchell are exploring options to play basketball overseas. From the Mitchel Daily Republic.
COACHING NEWS
Former Hawkeye Katie Abrahamson-Henderson has been hired as an assistant women's basketball coach at Indiana. Abrahamson-Henderson was also an assistant for a time at Iowa State.
Kris Byam has been hired as the new girls basketball coach at Des Moines North. North has lost 84 straight games. From the Des Moines Register.
BREAKTHROUGH
In case you missed it before with the site moving, Leslie Knight was named Female Breakthrough performance for Gopher athletes in the Goldy Awards.
SUMMER TOURNAMENT
The 11th Annual CSS MAYB tournament will be held in Lincoln, Nebraska for Boys and Girls in grades 4-12 on June 13th-15th, 2008
http://www.mayb.com/
Here is more information
Boys and girls Grades 4-12 (graduating seniors)
5 game guarantee, Air conditioned facility, different divisions (school teams, rec teams, competitive teams, travel teams, AAU, Elite teams)
Event will be hosted by the Bison Youth Sports Complex, MAYB, The City of Lincoln & the Cornhusker Shooting Stars.
Last year 68 teams from 9 different states entered. Currently 38 teams have signed up for this event.
to register contact Dan Lesoing
(402) 429-0920
http://www.cornhuskershootingstars.com/ or dlesoing@windstream.net
I will get the photos of yesterday's out & abouts up some time this morning. I had other obligations last night. The photos are now posted including the Boler block in the quarters.
next up: the last three out & abouts from the Minnesota State AAU tournament. the 14u championship, the 16/junior eligible semis and finals.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Hjelseth Signs, Twin Moves,
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Out & About: North Tartan Larson/Metro Stars Black
your daily dose of girls basketball news & information
This game took place on Sunday, May 11, 2008
Cooper High School
Minnesota State AAU Tournament
Junior Eligible Quarterfinals
NORTH TARTAN LARSON 61, METRO STARS BLACK 60
North Tartan Larson survived a furious Metro Stars Black rally to advance to the semifinals. NTL led 55-42 with 8:05 left. MSB had a 18-6 run to close the game. MSB had the ball with nine seconds left and Shakila Boler jumped up to block a shot from the right corner to preserve the win.
NTL opened scoring with a drive by Amanda Zimmerman. MSB answered right away with a pair of free throws by Brianna Tisch. NTL did hold four point leads early. MSB battled back to tie the contest at 14. However most of the half for MSB was spent in the wilderness. MSB led 17-16 after a Kirstee Rotty basket. After that MSB was 1/12 with their opportunities. In the meantime NTL went on a 14-1 run to take a 30-18 lead. At half time NTL had a 38-27 lead. Jennifer Dowd had 9 points at half time for NTL. That total was matched by Brianna Tisch of MSB.NTL continued to hold their lead out to 55-42 with 8:05 left. Up to that point their pp100 was 89.5. Then things turned frosty while MSB stoked their engines. NTL's pp100 plummeted to 40 pp100. Things were a bit different for MSB. The first half of the last frame they were checking in with 76.5 pp100. The last portion was 117.6. A five possession scoring sequence cut the margin to 55-50. Instigating the comeback was Rotty with six points. NTL moved further ahead at 59-50 with over 3 minutes remaining. Then it was Rachael Moen's turn to shine. She nailed a three from the t
op of the key and then on 
the next possession she scored on a drive to cut the margin to 59-55. Katie Loberg scored what proved to be the game winner on a transition lay up. Sam Mehr hit a three with less than a minute to go. Moen made a steal and Kara Elofson scored for the final points. That wasn't the end of the drama however. Both teams combined for three straight turnovers as the defense was in overdrive. That set up the last second heroics with the block by Boler. key: player, school, points, possessions, pp100, floor %
NORTH TARTAN LARSON
STARTERS
Katie Loberg, Princeton 15, 16, 93.8, .500 fluid, athletic post. went to the line four times.
Amanda Zimmerman, Ballard, IA 6, 5, 120.0, .600 swing player. lefty. fouls hampered her numbers. needs to get lower on defense.
Kelsey Florian, Roseville 5, 4, 125.0, .500 lefty. made a 3 early in the game. passing deceptive
Shakila Boler, Bloomington Kennedy 5, 10, 50.0, .200 steady hand on the wheel. tough defender, distributes the ball. looks to score off the drive. didn't have a stellar scoring game, but was indespensible to the win.
Megan Lauck, Mounds View 0, 4, 0.0, .000
BENCH
Jennifer Dowd, Rogers 11, 9, 122.2, .556 guard, alert, makes good decisions, has 3 range, scores off her defense.
Suriya McGuire, Mpls Roosevelt 6, 6, 100.0, .333 lean long guard. a firecracker performer, gets up in the air. needs to keep her hand up on the free throw.
Chlesea Poppens, Aplington-Parkersburg, IA 13, 15, 86.7, .467 rugged, sharp aggressive post. went to the line four times. workhorse on the boards.
Rey Robinson, Becker 0, 3, 0.0, .000 left handed perimeter
Carly Rothfusz, Eden Prairie 0, 0, 0.0, .000 left handed perimeter
METRO STARS BLACK
STARTERS
Kara Elofson, Hopkins 9, 9, 100.0, .444 went to the glass hard with expolsion. likes baseline drives.
Lizzi Naumann, Totino-Grace 5, 8, 62.5, .250 rangy post, more 4 than 5.
Brianna Tisch, Chaska 11, 8, 137.5, .750 post. has a nice short corner shot. went to the line three times. needs to assert herself on defense more
Kirstee Rotty, Farmington 10, 9, 111.1, .556 helped spark the MSB resurgence. point guard. boards well.
Sam Mehr, Eastview 12, 10, 120.0, .500 perimeter shooter. 3 range. also can find open players.
BENCH
Brittany Zins, Bloomington Kennedy 3, 4, 75.0, .250 perimeter shooter. likes the corner.
Molly Duehn, Burnsville 2, 10, 20.0, .100 long lean "3". needs to eliminate turnovers. needs to keep the ball lower on the dribble, keep the elbow in.
Rachael Moen, Burnsville 8, 9, 88.9, .333 point guard. cool, calm. injected life in MSB late in the game with clutch 3. also had a 3 the old fashioned way. needs to keep working on vision and speed. needs to stay low on defense.
Tina Fisher, Park-Cottage Grove 0, 4, 0.0, .000 rugged post. the second coming of Kara Pearson. did step out for a 3 attempt.
TRENCH PLAYERDespite low pp100, Shakila Boler for her head game, and key block
BY THE NUMBERS
North Tartan Larson 61, 72, 84.7, .403
Metro Stars Black 60, 71, 84.5, .380
made 3s/&1s: MSB 4/2, NTL 1/2
ftm/fta-ft%: MSB 14/17-.824; NTL 17/23-.739;
bench: NTL 30, MSB 13
DEFENSIVE WRAPS
NORTH TARTAN LARSON
Shakila Boler 8
Jennifer Dowd 6
Suriya McGuire 5.5
Katie Loberg 5
Amanda Zimmerman 3.5
Chelsea Poppens 3
Megan Lauck 1
Carly Rothfusz 1
totals: 33
METRO STARS BLACK
Kirstee Rotty 6
Lizzi Naumann 5
Molly Duehn 5
Rachael Moen 5
Kara Elofson 4
Sam Mehr 4
Brittany Zins 3
Tina Fisher 2
totals: 34
ASSISTS
NORTH TARTAN LARSON
Shakila Boler 7
Suriya McGuire 5
Amanda Zimmerman 1
Kelsey Florian 1
Chelsea Poppens 1
Jennifer Dowd 1
Megan Lauck 1
Carly Rothfusz 1
totals: 18
METRO STARS BLACK
Sam Mehr 5
Rachael Moen 5
Kirstee Rotty 3
Tina Fisher 3
Lizzi Naumann 2
Brianna Tisch 2
Brittany Zins 2
Molly Duehn 2
Kara Elofson 1
totals: 25
more to come
Out & About: North Tartan Crosby/Metro Stars White
#4 posting 5.14.2008
your daily dose of girls basketball news & information
This game took place on Sunday, May 11, 2008
Cooper High School
Minnesota State AAU Tournament
Junior Eligible Quarterfinals
NORTH TARTAN CROSBY 75, METRO STARS WHITE 51
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The #5 seeded North Tartan Crosby beat #4 Metro Stars White 75-51. NTC used hot shooting to advance to the semifinals.
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NTC scored on six straight possessions after turning it over on their first to establish right away a 14-7 lead. Kelsey Evans and Sarah Hendricks each had 5 points in the outburst including a 3.
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Together the two players combined for 34 points on the day for a solid one - two p
unch from the perimeter. MSW closed to 14-13 with a pair of free throws by Julie Kruse. NTC used a 10-3 run to zip right back in front 24-16. Evans again had five in that burst. MSW finished the half strong with four straight scores and a 7-2 run to trail 33-31.
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NTC opened the second half with a 7/9 scoring sequence and a 16-2 run to cement their lead. Janae Burich had six in the run. MSW had three turnovers in the first 8 possessions to start the half. MSW had spacing concerns on the inside and that made it easy to defend. NTC kept adding to the margin with their biggest lead coming at 72-45.
Photos: #1 Jodi Batzel is blocked by Sarah Hendricks. #2 Janae Burich uses her left hand around Julie Kruse. photos by kja
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key: player, school, points, possessions, pp100, floor %
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NORTH TARTAN CROSBY
STARTERS
Janae Burich, Roseville 10, 9, 111.1, .556 post player. 6-5 size intimidates others. needs to keep hand up on free throw follow through
Kelsey Evans, Willmar 16. 9, 177.8, .778 delivered from the perimeter with a pair of 3s. active defensively with a pair of steals. the only flaw for Evans was she was tagged for two turnovers trying to get the ball in on five second counts. The rest of the team didn't get open, but the player with the ball gets the turnover. defensively got too high when her player had the ball and they would look to drive around.
Kaiya Sygulla, Lakeville North 5, 6, 83.3, .333 point guard. led team in d wraps and assists. does her scoring and passing off the dribble. At times tries to force dribble through double team. passes can be forced as well especially slow, low bounce passes into Burich. favors spin dribble.
Sarah Hendricks, Cretin-Derham Hall 18, 11, 163.6, .636 another NTC player with a great day from the floor. made three 3s. length on the perimeter is a plus.
Bree Holleman, Hancock 3, 7, 42.9, .143 guard. made a three. has good defensive stance. passing needed to be sharper.
BENCH
Miranda Speckel, Buffalo 9, 9, 100.0, .556 guard. all her points came in the second half. scores off the drive.
Kendra Harris, Cretin-Derham Hall 12, 13, 92.3, .462. strong post. went to the line three times. needs to take care of the ball. needs to get better position before her player gets the ball.
Ashley Prather, Lakeville North 2, 1, 200.0, 1.000 forward, scored on a put back.
METRO STARS WHITE
STARTERS
Tess Komarek, Hopkins 0, 1, 0.0, .000 guard. took a shot on the opening possession and didn't have another the rest of the day.
Karin Gibson, Eden Prairie 2, 4, 50.0, .250 left handed guard. looking for the consistent performance. is capable of lighting it up. led team with five assists.
Jodi Batzel, Dover-Eyota 13, 15, 86.7, .467 has nice length. strong frame. worked inside. went to the line 7 times. did score when hit once. seemed to tire at the end of the game.
Julie Kruse, Maple Grove 7, 8, 87.5, .500 post player.
Laura Bruce, Hopkins 4, 6, 66.7, .333 tall perimeter.
BENCH
Jen Field, Maple Grove 5, 5, 100.0, .400 point guard. likes to help refs on the calls.
Hanna Iaizzo, White Bear Lake 2, 1, 200.0, 1.000 thin post. runs the floor. defensively needs to stay lower.
Carissa Wolyniec, DeLaSalle 6, 6, 100.0, .500 perimeter. outside shooter. scored on pull up.
Kyana Johnson, St. Paul Central 3, 8, 37.5, .250 point guard. forced some passes.
Bridget Schuneman, Centennial 7, 7, 100.0, .429 post. strong frame. did make a &1 chance.
Lauren Wittman, Eden Prairie 2, 3, 66.7, .333 left handed guard.
TRENCH PLAYER
Kelsey Evans
BY THE NUMBERS
North Tartan Crosby 75, 66, 113.6, .515
Metro Stars White 51, 64, 79.7, .406
made 3s/&1s: NTC 6/2; MSW 1/2
ftm/fta-ft%: MSW 14/19-.737; NTC 13/19-.684
bench: MSW 25, NTC 23
DEFENSIVE WRAPS
NORTH TARTAN CROSBY
Kaiya Sygulla 7
Kelsey Evans 5
Bree Holleman 4.5
Sarah Hendricks 4
Janae Burich 3.5
Kendra Harris 3
Miranda Speckel 2
Ashley Prather 2
totals: 31
METRO STARS WHITE
Jodi Batzel 5
Julie Kruse 5
Laura Bruce 4
Lauren Wittman 3
Karin Gibson 2
Bridget Schuneman 2
Jen Field 1
Kyana Johnson 1
totals: 23
ASSISTS
NORTH TARTAN CROSBY
Kaiya Sygulla 9
Sarah Hendricks 5
Kelsey Evans 4
Janae Burich 3
Bree Holleman 2
Miranda Speckel 2
totals: 25
METRO STARS WHITE
Karin Gibson 5
Laura Bruce 5
Julie Kruse 2
Jen Field 2
Lauren Wittman 2
Tess Komarek 1
Jodi Batzel 1
Hanna Iaizzo 1
Carissa Wolyniec 1
Kyana Johnson 1
Bridget Schuneman 1
totals: 22
Next up: later today with North Tartan Larson vs Metro Stars Black
Out & About: MN Suns Ellen/43 Hoops Williams
#3 posting 5.14.2008
your daily dose of girls basketball news & information
This game took place on Saturday, May 10, 2008
Cooper High School
Minnesota State AAU Tournament
15u Pool Play
MN SUNS ELLEN 51, 43 HOOPS WILLIAMS 37
After a low scoring first half by both teams, MN Suns Ellen beat 43 Hoops Williams 51-37. 43HW started off the game on their first possession with a three by Jolene Blood. After that the fell into a 14 possession drought and trailed 11-3 before scoring again. Six of those possessions ended up as turnovers. MSE wasn't ripping up the nets either. They were 3/14 to start the contest--a .214 floor %. 43HW did cut the margin to six a couple of times before MSE inched further ahead at half time 19-11. 43HW had a 36.7 pp100 in the first half, just above freezing. MSE checked in at 61.2, but still that is not near the gold standard.
The pent up offenses made up for lost time at the start of the second half. In the first 11 possessions combined the floor % zoomed out to .727, and the pp100 zipped up to 145.5. MSE scored on their first five possessions to start the half. Emily Eschrich had six of the points in a 10-3 run. MSE led 29-14 at that point. The rest of the game 43HW tried to scrape back in the contest. They did get the lead down to single digits a couple of times, the last coming at 41-32 with about four minutes left. The droughts that plagued both teams in the first half came back to bite 43HW with a six possession dilemma at that point. MSE padded their totals out to 46-32. MSE finished the game squeezing at least a point off their last five possessions.
key: player, school, points, possessions, pp100, floor %
MN SUNS ELLEN
STARTERS
Megan Pold, Prior Lake 10, 9, 111.1, .556 strong post player. 8 of her points came in the second half. also a force on defense. blocked a pair of shots that ended up as MSE possessions.
Kassie Kaluzniak, Armstrong 0, 2, 0.0, .000 guard. led the team in assists, all of which came in the second half.
Megan Stuart, Roseville 10, 14, 71.4, .357 lean post, more 4ish.
Sheridan Reiners, Bloomington Kennedy 6, 6, 100.0, .667 guard. went to the line three times in the last few minutes of the game. another interesting free throw shooter. her feet point toward the left corner.
Emily Eschrich, Prior Lake 8, 7, 114.3, .571 bigger perimeter player. will crash the offensive boards.
BENCH
Laura Margarit, Holy Angels 6, 5, 120.0, .400 thin perimeter
Raven Boone, Bloomington Kennedy 7, 4, 175.0, .750 was more active on offense and looked to shoot. in HS isn't as aggressive..yet.
Cierra Byers, Wayzata 3, 4, 75.0, .250 post player. needs to be more assertive
Alex Van Pelt, Wayzata 0, 3, 0.0, .000 guard
Rochelle Regnier, White Bear Lake 1, 5, 20.0, .200 guard
43 HOOPS WILLIAMS
STARTERS
Jolene Blood, Irondale 10, 10, 100.0, .400 guard, 3 point shooter. made 3 on the day.
Brianna McKenzie, Tartan 2, 8, 25.0, .000 guard. if you notice her floor % is .000. that is because she was fouled on an &1 play and missed the free throw. Her team got the rebound keeping the possession alive, therefore was not charged with a time out.
Hicks, St. Paul Humboldt 7, 12, 58.3, .333 small guard led both teams in assists.
Heather Kamps, Stillwater 4, 6, 66.7, .333 forward
Kelli Schram, Mounds View 0, 0, 0.0, .000 forward. did not have one possession on offense. impact was felt on defense with a team leading 8.5 d wraps.
BENCH
Michelle Reif, Irondale 4, 6, 66.7, .333 guard
Briana Reeves, St. Paul Central 10, 14, 71.4, .357 did more scoring inside. smaller 4.
Casey Ginter, St. Anthony 0, 2, 0.0, .000
Lindsay McDaniels, Mounds View 0, 2, 0.0, .000
Danielle Piechowski, Cretin-Derham Hall 0, 1, 0.0, .000
TRENCH PLAYERMegan Pold
BY THE NUMBERS
MN Suns Ellen 51, 60, 85.0, .417
43 Hoops Williams 37, 61, 60.7, .295
made 3s/&1s: 43HW 3/0; MSE 0/1
ftm/fta-ft%: MSE 8/13-.615 43HW 4/7-.571
bench: MSE 17; 43HW 14
DEFENSIVE WRAPS
MN SUNS ELLEN
Megan Pold 8.5
Megan Stuart 4
Sheridan Reiners 4
Alex Van Pelt 4
Emily Eschrich 3.5
Laura Margarit 3
Raven Boone 3
Rochelle Regnier 2
Cierra Byers 1
totals: 33
43 HOOPS WILLIAMS
Kelli Schramm 8.5
Brianna Reeves 5
Jolene Blood 3
Heather Kamps 2.5
Hicks 2
Brianna McKenzie 1
Danielle Piechowski 1
totals: 23
ASSISTS
MN SUNS ELLEN
Kassie Kaluzniak 4
Emily Eschrich 3
Rochelle Regnier 3
Laura Margarit 2
Megan Pold 1
Megan Stuart 1
Raven Boone 1
Cierra Byers 1
Alex Van Pelt 1
totals: 17
43 HOOPS WILLIAMS
Hicks 6
Jolene Blood 2
Michelle Reif 2
Brianna McKenzie 1
Heather Kamps 1
Danielle Piechowski 1
totals: 13
next up: North Tartan Crosby vs Metro Stars White
Wiles in Duluth, DePere Charges, ACLs
#2 posting 5.14.2008
your daily dose of girls basketball news & information
KNEE INJURIES
The New York Times looks at ACL knee injuries and the female athlete. It is comprehensive and thorough. The article starts off with soccer, but touches on all sports. It also hits on youth sport culture (page 8) and asks At what age should a young athlete begin traveling to out-of-town tournaments? How many days a week should she be playing? When should she give up her other sports? Specialization, country clubs, and coaching are all touched upon.
POLICE BLOTTER
Dave Johnson, the DePere girls basketball coach, has been charged with disorderly conduct after a March incident with a student. From the Green Bay Press Gazette.
COACHING NEWS
Annette Wiles has been named the new women's basketball coach at UM Duluth. She was the coach at Fort Hays State, a D2 school in Kansas.
Mike Johnson has been hired as girls basketball coach at South Winnieshiek in Iowa.
AWARDS
Jackie Voigt of Park-Cottage Grove was named the St. Paul Downtown Lions Club amateur athlete of the year. From the St. Paul Pioneer Press.
GRADS
Two Badgers are graduating on time. Jolene Anderson is already playing with the Connecticut Sun and Janese Banks is exploring her playing options overseas.
Next up: three more out & abouts from this weekend: MN Suns Ellen vs 43 Hoops Williams in the 15u division; North Tartan Crosby vs Metro Stars White and North Tartan Larson vs Metro Stars Black in the Junior Eligible quarterfinals.
Loberg's Ankle, More AAU Reports, Sports in Trouble
#1 posting 5.14.2008
your daily dose of girls basketball news & information
KATIE LOBERG
On Sunday in the third place game in the Minnesota State AAU tournament Katie Loberg tweaked her ankle. It didn't slow her down as she won the high jump at 5-3 in the Mississippi 8 track meet. From the Elk River Star News.
MORE AAU REPORTS
Here is a photo of the 15u Minnesota State Champion North Tartan
Back Row -Gabby Boever, Hannah Strop, Kayla Hirt, Laura Melquist, Rachel Banham, Ameshia Kearney,
Front Row -Katy Winge, Morgan Van Riper-Rose, Sari Noga
not pictured Angela Christianson
Everybody scored in the championship game. Sari Noga led NT15 with 9 points. Laura Melquist and Kayla Hirt each had 8 points.
13
The North Tartan 13U team (Steck) took third in the state AAU tournament.
NT Steck upset the #3 seed MN Suns in pool play by 16 points. The first game out of pool play had them facing MN Stars Anderson and NTS won by 11. NT Steck lost to North Tartan 13U (Hedstrom) by six in the semi-finals. In the third place game NTS beat Metro Stars-Grace to finish 3rd.
HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS IN TROUBLE
Here is the StarTribune's second part in their series of High School Sports in trouble. Today they are looking at Crosby-Ironton where they may cut sports all together.
Neighboring states are facing issues like high costs due to rising fuel prices.
TRANSFER
Chelsea Buher of Lawrenceville, Ill, will transfer from Illinois to Indiana State. Buher a 5-11 guard, played in 28 games for Illinois as a freshman last year. She averaged 26.8 ppg. as a high school senior, establishing school records in points (2,208), career rebounds (951) and career blocks (111). She will have to sit out this season but will have three years of eligibility.
Next up: More news
Thanks readers for all the help, information and patience with the site being blocked, moved, and then back home again. I appreciate the support.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Out & About: MN Stars Jihad Lady Cats/Gym Rats
your daily dose of girls basketball news & information
This game took place on Saturday, May 10, 2008
Cooper High School
Minnesota State AAU Tournament
15u Pool Play
MN STARS JIHAD lady cats 63, GYM RATS 43
When Cats and Rats get together Cats usually prevail. That is what happened in the first 15u game I saw on Saturday. I hadn't seen either team yet this year. The Cats I am pretty familiar with having seen them numerous times last year, plus during their winter seasons. The Rats are from a wide range of Northern Minnesota.The quickness, speed and aggressive pressing by the Cats took their toll on the Rats. The Rats had 25 turnovers. The Cats only had 10 on the night. The Cats jumped out early 11-3 scoring on five of their first seven possessions. The Cats, with their slashing, attack of the basket went to the line three times, twice on old fashioned three point plays, one of which was converted. The Cats then fell into a seven possession slumber where their shots wouldn't fall. T
he difference in this sequence, was the Cats only had one shot each time. In the interim the Rats edged back into the game closing to 11-10. The Cats went on to a 17-7 run to go up 28-17. That margin held up at half time 34-24 Cats. The Cats' Sarina Baker had 8 points at half time.In the second half it was lay ups and 3s for the Cats. Aubrey Davis led the Cats 3 point barrage with a trio of triples. The Cats also added 10 points on transition lay ups. The Rats had 2 points on transition. The Cats started off hot with 4/5 scoring sequence as they pushed out to a 15 point lead. The Rats couldn't generate much offense and went seven possessions dry. The Cat margin kept increasing as the clock was winding down.
Missing: Erika Weimann, who was the Gym Rats primary point guard last year, wasn’t there due to a varsity softball tournament (she is a pitcher). Also 6-2 Ashley Feldman was hurt.
Key: player, points, possessions, pp100, floor %
MN STARS JIHAD
STARTERS
Kaylani Edwards, Bloomington Kennedy 6, 2, 300.0, 1.000 post player. If you look at these numbers they are pretty impressive. Edwards scored twice on an &1 situation. Both ended with the free throw missed. On the second chance the Cats retained possession of the ball, so Edwards was not credited with a possession, but does get the points.
Breanna Williams, Hopkins 6, 8, 75.0, .375 aggressive defender.
Sarina Baker, DeLaSalle 8, 7, 114.3, .429 all points scored in the first half. attacked the paint
Sadiqah Jihad, Mpls South 10, 8, 125.0, .500 guard. runs the floor. three range. can score when hit.
Chelsy Jacox, DeLaSalle 2, 4, 50.0, .250 point guard. led team with 9 assists. had nice no look passes for scores. can get off the floor. needs to keep her hand up on her shot.
BENCH
Tacita Gonzales, St. Paul Johnson 6, 18, 33.3, .167 point guard. looks to score off the drive. Needs to get feet set.
Aubrey Davis, Bloomington Kennedy 11, 6, 183.3, .667 shooting guard. had three 3s in the second half.
Laura Thomas, Mpls South 4, 6, 66.7, .333 needs to square up on her shot.
Maja Cyrus, St. Paul Central 4, 4, 100.0, .500 boarded well in the second half.
Eyssa Henderson, Mpls Roosevelt 6, 5, 120.0, .600
GYM RATS
STARTERS
Becci Osterdyk, Mora 3, 4, 75.0, .500 forward
Hannah Dahlman, Braham 11, 19, 57.9, .316 guard. was filling in due to low numbers this week.
Karlee Erickson, Mora 3, 6, 50.0, .167 perimeter. hit a 3.
Eva Lampert, Walker-Hackensack-Akeley 4, 14, 28.6, .143 guard. can get off the floor.
Lauren Graham, Crookston 4, 4, 100.0, .500 post player.
BENCH
Rachel Ellering, Melrose 9, 12, 75.0, .250 three point shooter.
Jessica Marken, Lake of the Woods 9, 10, 90.0, .500 rebounded well in the first half.
TRENCH PLAYERAubrey Davis
BY THE NUMBERS
MN Stars Jihad 63, 68, 92.6, .397
Gym Rats 43, 69, 62.3, .304
made 3s/&1s: MSJ 4/1; GR 4/1
ftm/fta-ft%:MSJ 6/18-.333; GR 5/15-.333
bench: MSJ 31, GR 18
Both teams free throw shooting were just a tad above freezing.
DEFENSIVE WRAPS
MN STARS JIHAD
Breanna Williams 7
Maja Cyrus 6
Sarina Baker 5
Aubrey Davis 4
Chelsy Jacox 4
Sadiqah Jihad 3
Laura Thomas 3
Tacita Gonzales 3
Eyssa Henderson 1
totals: 36
GYM RATS
Becci Osterdyk 6
Lauren Graham 6
Jessica Marken 6
Karlee Erickson 5
Rachel Ellering 5
Hannah Dahlman 3
Eva Lampert 1
totals: 32
ASSISTS
MN STARS JIHAD
Chelsy Jacox 9
Breanna Williams 4
Tacita Gonzales 4
Aubrey Davis 3
Sarina Baker 2
Kaylani Edwards 1
Sadiqah Jihad 1
totals: 24
GYM RATS
Becci Osterdyk 3
Rachel Ellering 3
Lauren Graham 3
Jessica Marken 3
Karlee Erickson 2
Eva Lampert 2
Hannah Dahlman 1
totals: 17
Next up: tomorrow morning
Out & About: MN Stars DeWitt/Stangs
#4 posting 5.13.2008
your daily dose of girls basketball news & information
This game took place on Saturday, May 10, 2008
Cooper High School
Minnesota State AAU Tournament
Junior Eligible Pool Play
MN STARS DEWITT 73, STANGS 62
The Stangs were the last team I hadn't seen at the Junior Eligible division. That was corrected after this game. The Stangs are primarily or almost exclusively from Sioux Falls Roosevelt. Yes this was a South Dakota team in the Minnesota State AAU tournament. They are also coached by Lillie Arndt (formerly Brown) who once upon a time played AAU for a team I put together in AAU's infancy around here.
MSD jumped out early and often in building up a 15-2 lead. MSD was helped with three 3s in the opening salvos. Also Amanda Wagner was making her imprint on the game early with four defensive stops and five points. The Stangs also had foul problems with Emily Palmer picking up a couple of early fouls that sent her to the bench. They had to endure a six possession drought, but MSD didn't pad their lead during that time as they had their own four possession dry spell. MSD led 25-12 when the Stangs had an 11-4 run to cut the margin to 29-23. The Stangs were victim of an intentional foul in that run, but only scored the two free throws. At the half it was 35-25 MSD. The Stangs finished with an 0/7 sequence, MSD was 0/5.
Early in the half it was MSD that was hot with six straight scores to open the half. That put them in the driver's seat at 47-30. The Stangs found some punch for their anemic offense in the second half. They scored 8 straight times and cut the MSD lead to 50-46 with 11 minu
tes to go. In that 16-3 run Palmer had 12 points. She hit from behind the arc, she drove past defenders and also took some freebies. That was as close as the Stangs would get. They hung around in the 8 to 5 range the rest of the way. The last time it was fairly close was at 57-52 after a three by Lauren Thomas. MSD finished strong with 9/11 scoring. Wagner had 6 of the last 17 points including a tip in off her own miss.
For the second straight game free throws made a critical difference in the outcome. MSD made 21, the Stangs only 10. Both had similar attempts 26/23. If the Stangs would have shot like MSD the game would have been 73-70 for MSD. If MSD shot like the Stangs the game would have ended up still in MSD's favor 63-62. Either way the outcome hinged on those freebies.
photos: #1 Katie Meister of the Stangs with a shot in the lane. #2 Mackenzie Wolter slips in the lane for a shot. Photos by Teas.
key: player, school, points, possessions, pp100, floor %
MN STARS DEWITT
STARTERS
Europe Guy, Mpls South 12, 11, 109.1, .545 lefty perimeter. steady offensively. went to the line three times. looks to score off the bounce. picked up the intentional foul.
Abby Weiss, Martin County West 8, 11, 72.7, .364 three point shooter.
Gina Lange, Forest Lake 21, 16, 131.5, .688 post play. When she got hot, she was sizzling. She finished with 10 straight scoring possessions, 7/7 in the second half. runs the floor. ruled inside against smaller defenders. a workhorse player.
Amanda Wagner, New Prague 17, 9, 188.9, .889 point guard. scrappy, feisty, combative. has 3 range. worked both ends with d boards. a double double with 10 d wraps and 17 points. and a tip in. also developing pull up jumper.
Whitney Canton, Pine Island 7, 6, 116.7, .500 three point shooter. had 2 on the day. also led team with 5 assists.
BENCH
Catavia Jones, St. Paul Central 0, 3, 0.0, .000 tall post. learning the movements inside
Jenny Houle, Mpls South 1, 1, 100.0, 1.000 perimeter
Jessica Leer, Coon Rapids 0, 5, 0.0, .000 perimeter. looked to shoot the 3.
Samantha Robinson-Ricks, St. Paul Central 1, 4, 25.0, .250 perimeter
Mackenzie Wolter, Norwood Young America 6, 5, 120.0, .600 athletic guard. runs the floor. active defensively.
STANGS
all the players below are from Sioux Falls Roosevelt with one exception. only two players are 09s--Meister and Nicholson (who wasn't here)
STARTERS
Katie Meister 6, 9, 66.7, .333 inside player.
Emily Palmer, Beresford 24, 19, 126.3, .579 kept the Stangs boat afloat. left perimeter player. knocked down four 3s. had 19 of her points in the second half. needs to stay on the floor and avoid useless fouls. reminds me on some level of Jenny Hoffner.
Kiana Hastings 9, 10, 90.0, .400 perimeter. will shoot the 3.
Celeste Beck 4, 6, 66.7, .333 point guard. thin.
Callie Hanssen 6, 7, 85.7, .429 post
BENCH
Lauren Thomas 9, 9, 100.0, .333 made two 3s. went to the line three times. has an interesting foot slide on her free throw. Extends her left foot out and then draws it back to her center.
Abbey Fujan 1, 6, 16.7, .167 passing needs to improve
Kim Johnson 3, 4, 75.0, .250 perimeter
TRENCH PLAYER
Amanda Wagner
BY THE NUMBERS
MN Stars DeWitt 73, 71, 102.8, .521
Stangs 62, 70, 88.6, .400
made 3s/&1s: Stangs 8/0, MSD 4/0
ftm/fta-ft%: MSD 21/26-.807; Stangs 10/23-.435
bench: Stangs 13, MSD 8
DEFENSIVE WRAPS
MN STARS DEWITT
Amanda Wagner 10
Gina Lange 5
Mackenzie Wolter 5
Abby Weiss 4
Whitney Canton 4
Samantha Robinson-Ricks 4
Europe Guy 2
Catavia Jones 2
Jenny Houle 2
Jessica Leer 2
totals: 40
STANGS
Emily Palmer 6
Katie Meister 5
Kiana Hasting 3
Kim Johnson 3
Callie Hanssen 3
Abbey Fujan 2
Lauren Thomas 2
Celeste Beck 2
Totals: 26
ASSISTS
MN STARS DEWITT
Whitney Canton 5
Abby Weiss 4
Europe Guy 3
Amanda Wagner 3
Samantha Robinson-Ricks 3
Mackenzie Wolter 3
Jenny Houle 2
Jessica Leer 1
totals: 24
STANGS
Lauren Thomas 6
Celeste Beck 5
Emily Palmer 3
Katie Meister 2
Abbey Fujan 2
Kiana Hastings 1
totals: 19
Next up: later today with the MN Stars Jihad Lady Cats vs the Gym Rats
Out & About: Metro Stars White/Southern Minne Magic
your daily dose of girls basketball news & information
This game took place on Saturday, May 10, 2008
Cooper High School
Minnesota AAU State Tournament
Junior Eligible Pool Play
METRO STARS WHITE 78, SOUTHERN MINNE MAGIC 61
Most of my day on Saturday was spent watching games where I haven't seen teams yet this year. Southern Minne Magic fit the bill.The name of this game was free throws. Metro Stars White made 34 free throws, that is 43.6% of their total points for the game in a 78-61 win over Southern Minne Magic. SMM led early in this game scoring the first five points of the contest. MSW opened with a five possession dry spell. SMM had a 7/10 offensive sequence where they outscored MSW 15-9. The high water mark for SMM came when they led 24-14. SMM led 30-24 with 3 minutes left in the half when Karin Gibson knocked down a three. That ignited a five straight scoring bing
e by MSW on an 11-4 run. Gibson had another 3 during the surge. At half time MSW nosed ahead 35-34.SMM had five straight scores to open the second half as they went back in front 45-42. MSW was also firing on all cylinders. They opened the half with a 7/9 burst and they pulled out in front for good 52-45. Laura Bruce capped the flurry with a 3 of her own. SMM had a 7 possession drought during this time with four straight passing turnovers. SMM had another six possession drought. Combined they scored 4 points in 15 possessions--a 26.7 pp100. From the nine minute mark on MSW scored 22 points, 16 at the line.
Missing: Hanna Iaizzo, Lauren Wittman, and Bridget Schuneman were all gone for a variety of reasons for MSW.
Jodi Batzel and Brittni Mayer are teammates during the school year.
key: players, schools, points, possessions, pp100, floor %
METRO STARS WHITE
STARTERS
Julie Kruse, Maple Grove 14, 16, 87.5, .500 post, drew fouls in the first half. went to the line four times, all in the first half. exposes the ball by bringing it down
Jodi Batzel, Dover-Eyota 10, 11, 90.9, .455 post/forward (3 post hs). Did one better than Kruse by going to the line five times. runs the floor. crashes the offensive boards. exposes the ball and needs to work on the left hand.
Carissa Wolyniec, DeLaSalle 7, 6, 116.7, .500 perimeter. 3 point shooter. pull up jumper. had 3 passing turnovers.
Karin Gibson, Eden Prairie 21, 13, 161.5, .692 perimeter, lefty. had three 3s, all in the first half. runs the floor. also had six assists. active on the perimeter on defense. went to the line five times and was perfect 10/10. I have seen MSW four times I believe and I have seen Gibson light it up twice and silent twice. now it is time for her to consistently deliver at a high level. she is capable of doing good things and making a difference.
Kyana Johnson, St. Paul Central 3, 4, 75.0, .500 point guard. runs the floor. had some nice assists. deceptive passer
BENCH
Laura Bruce, Hopkins 12, 12, 100.0, .500 perimeter. runs the floor. has 3 range. big enough to defend inside in HS.
Jen Field, Maple Grove 8, 5, 160.0, .600 point guard. has 3 range. was able to score in transition despite being hit. in the future is destined to be a lawyer. She pleads her case to the ref if she thinks the ref needs help.
Tess Komarek, Hopkins 3, 6, 50.0, .333 guard. her points came at the line.
SOUTHERN MINNE MAGIC
STARTERS
Yvonne Freese, Lanesboro 4, 5, 80.0, .400 bruiser inside.
Rachel Stenhaug, Rochester JM 8, 8, 100.0, .500 guard. has 3 range. will look to take the ball to the glass.
Kate Hartman, Northwood-Kensett, IA 6, 10, 60.0, .300 a bigger player that seems more comfortable on the three point line. needs to use her frame and get physical. needs to be more of a force on the defensive side of things.
Brittni Mayer, Dover-Eyota 9, 11, 81.8, .364 perimeter aggressive. passing choices need to be sharper. can't stare down receiver and needs to add a few fakes. worked the d boards hard.
Brittney Gengler, Plainview-Elgin-Millville 0, 2, 0.0, .000
BENCH
Whitney Ryan, Kenyon-Wanamingo 9, 8, 125.0, .500 post can step out and hit a 3.
Katie Lauer, Mankato West 6, 9, 66.7, .333 a post/forward. more high post than low.
Abby Rothenbuehler, Mankato West 4, 4, 100.0, .500 post height, but more along the lines of Kate Thompson. projected perimeter post HS. long, lean.
Kristina Vorphal, Austin 6, 7, 85.7, .429 perimeter.
Alyssa Rushton, Rochester JM 9, 8, 125.0, .500 perimeter. has 3 range. can go in and score.
TRENCH PLAYERKarin Gibson
BY THE NUMBERS
Metro Stars White 78, 73, 106.8, .521
Southern Minne Magic 61, 72, 84.7, .389
made 3s/&1s: MSW 6/1; SMM 3/
ftm/fta-ft%: MSW 34/42-.810; SMM 13/18-.722
bench: SMM 34, MSW 23
When a team takes more than double the free throw attempts you do, in fact almost twice as many made, then there will be problems.
DEFENSIVE WRAPS
METRO STARS WHITE
Laura Bruce 8
Julie Kruse 6.5
Karin Gibson 5.5
Carissa Wolyniec 4
Tess Komarek 4
Kyana Johnson 3
Jodi Batzel 3
Jen Field 1
totals: 35
SOUTHERN MINNE MAGIC
Brittni Mayer 6.5
Yvonne Freese 4
Whitney Ryan 3
Katie Lauer 3
Abby Rothenbuehler 3
Kristina Vorphal 3
Alyssa Rushton 2.5
Kate Hartman 2
Rachel Stenhaug 1
totals: 28
ASSISTS
METRO STARS WHITE
Karin Gibson 6
Kyana Johnson 5
Jodi Batzel 3
Carissa Wolyniec 3
Jen Field 3
Kyana Johnson 2
Julie Kruse 1
Laura Bruce 1
totals: 24
SOUTHERN MINNE MAGIC
Katie Lauer 5
Kristina Vorphal 5
Brittni Mayer 3
Kate Hartman 2
Brittni Mayer 2
Rachel Stenhaug 1
Kate Hartman 1
Alyssa Rushton 1
totals: 20
Next up: MN Stars DeWitt vs Stangs
Sports in Peril, 18u National Coaches
#2 posting 5.13.2008
your daily dose of girls basketball news & information
SPORTS IN PERIL
The StarTribune is starting a three part look at high school athletics. Today the focus is on the financial side. Some schools may not be fielding teams soon due to $$$ problems.
This is what is happening---with higher costs and $320 fees to play parents will expect their kid to play. What is going to happen is the 7th-12th player will fade away. They won't spend the money to sit on the pine. Depth will be an issue.
Also an issue will be the youth programs. Right now it takes $$$ to play. There are kids, I am convinced, that are falling through the cracks because they don't have the ka-ching to play. Good athletes are literally going undiscovered.
A smart coach will scour the elementary gyms and test out which youngsters show promise with speed and strength tests, and who has a natural competitive aggressiveness. They will then steer them into basketball.
PRO CAREER
The Badgers' Jolene Anderson has had success with the Connecticut Sun in the preseason.
SEASON WRAP
Illinois looks back at their season which featured honorable mention all American Jenna Smith from Bloomington Kennedy.
18U NATIONAL TEAM
The coaches have been named for the USA 18u National girls basketball team: Carol Owens (Northern Illinois) will be the head coach. Assisting will be Joe McKeown (George Washington) and Terri Mitchell (Marquette). That team will be headed to Buenos Aires, Argentina for FIBA Americas Championship July 23-27.
Next up: later today with three more out & abouts: Metro Stars White vs Southern Minne Magic; MN Stars DeWitt vs Stangs; and MN Stars Jihad (Lady Cats) vs Gym Rats
go to gbbrecruit2.blogspot.com for the other out & abouts from last weekend.
Back in Action, Riesselman Verbal, AAU Results
#1 posting 5.13.2008
your daily dose of girls basketball news & information
THE ORIGINAL IS BACK!!!!
Today I woke up, went to the dash board and the freeze is over. I will keep the gbbrecruit2 site up as a archive source.
Some readers may not have heard I moved the site there when this was frozen.
Thanks to all the readers that followed the site all over the blogosphere. Thanks for the support. Thanks for providing this site with information.
This first posting will focus on reader emails.
VERBAL
Holly Riesselman has verbally committed to MSU-Moorhead. She’s a 6-3 center, will graduate in 2009 and averaged 3.1 points and 3.2 rebounds per game for 25-3 Park-Cottage Grove the past season. Riessleman is playing with MN Stars Smith this summer.
Riesselman is the second player in the 2009 class to verbal a D2 school in as many days. She is the 8th overall to verbal from the 2009 class.
Photo: Riesselman looking for a rebound in the section 3 AAAA semifinal against Lakeville North. Photo by Teas.
MINNESOTA STATE AAU TOURNAMENT
It was a good weekend for North Tartan. They picked up three state championships (15, 14, and 13). The 10s finished 2nd and the 16s finshed 3rd and 4th. The 12s finished 5th.
This is the 3rd straight year the 15s have won the state AAU tournament.
This is the 4th straight year the 13s have won the state AAU tournament. Coach John Hedstrom picked up his third State title with the win this calendar year. His 4th grade girls won the traveling team state tournament, and he is the coach of the AAAA Minnetonka boys state champs.
15
North Tartan 15u team won their 3rd straight state AAU tournament. Here are the scores
NT 64 Fury 43
NT 55 Team Dynamite 26
NT 46 Suns Greg 35
NT 61 Suns Ellen 23 State Championship Game
Both U15 MN Sun's teams finished strong in the AAU State Tournament this past weekend. There were 12 teams competing in the tournament.
MN Suns-Ellen took 2nd place, losing in the championship game to North Tartan 61-23. They had defeated the Metro Stars in the semi-final game 62-51. MN Suns -Greg finished in 3rd place also defeating the Metro Stars 68-54 in the 3rd place game.
MN Suns- Greg lost in the semi-finals to North Tartan 34-46. Both Suns teams won there respective pools on Saturday.
MN Suns Ellen 15Us strong run at the Division I District Championships ended with a thud Sunday night against North Tartan. North Tartan played an exceptionally strong game at both ends of the floor and MSE shot just 20% from the field, missing numerous open shots in the paint which led to the lopsided outcome. Most observers expected a much closer contest after MSE defeated MN Dynamite and 43 Hoops - Williams to finish 1st in Pool B. That was followed by a close win against MN Fury and a double digit win over Metro Stars in the semi-finals (their second win in as many meetings between the 2 teams). Despite a disappointing championship loss, the second place finish for MSE qualifies them for the AAU National Tournament in July. MSE is 13-4 heading into the Summer schedule.
MN Suns-Greg defeated MN Gym Rats and MN Stars-Jihad in pool play, and MN Stars-Carlisle in the first game of bracket play. MN Suns -Greg continues to be very competitive despite playing without one of their scoring leaders and starting point guard Kayla Hulsebus, who has been out since mid-April with a high ankle sprain and Summer Young, another key player, who has been suffering back pain all season. Both Suns U15 teams are playing very well and the MN Suns program is enjoying much success since it was established in 2005.
14
North Tartan won the 14 division. Here is a team photo after the win. Here is their roster: #1 Ebony Livingston Hopkins high school
#2 Kadie Savage Princeton high school(did not play, has mono)
#3 Shayne Mullaney Eden Prairie high school
#4 Jackie Johnson Eden Prairie high school
#52 Niki Allen Maple Grove high school
#10 Liz Lecy Eden Prairie high school
#21 KatiBeth Biewen Edina high school
#23 Emily Reichert Rogers high school
#24 Marissa Janning Watertown-Mayer high school
#55 Jessie Kreuser Henry Sibley high school
3rd Place game: MN Fury Blue (Livers) 59; MN Fury Gold (Haugen) 40
Blue was #6 seed, Gold was #1 seed. Blue blew the game open early and led comfortable throughout; with big games by Morgan Stippel (Stillwater) and Ashley Martell (Somerset, WI).
Blue team lost Hannah Hughes (PG from Lakeville North) to an ankle injury and she will miss the Blue teams’ tournament next weekend (MYAS Championship) but hopes to be back by the MN Summer Jam.
Here are the Fury Blue results this weekend
Pool Play: MN Fury Blue 60 Stars (Seter) 48
Quarterfinal: MN Fury Blue 60 Stars (Hested) 59
Semi-Final: North Tartan 64, MN Fury Blue 43
3rd Place Game: MN Fury Blue 59, MN Fury Gold 40
WINDY CITY ALL TOURNAMENT
North Tartan Crosby had two players make the Windy City all tournament team in Chicago a few weeks ago: Kelsey Evans of Willmar and Kaiya Sygulla of Lakeville North.
Sari Noga of North Tartan's 15 team made the All Star team in Pool A.
Marissa Janning, Elizabeth Lecy, and Shayne Mullaney of North Tartan's 14 team made the Pool BB team.
From the Suns program: Jade Geif, and Kayla Hulsebus (Suns Greg 15) made Pool V's team.
Abbie Barner, Jen Hill, Elizabeth Keena, and Kendall Martin (Suns 14) made Pool FF's team.
THIS WEEKEND
The MYAS state tournament will be held this weekend. The 19s will feature some players with high school eligibility left. Their tournament will be at Hopkins. The 17s will be at St. Francis, the 16s at Armstrong.
The Mid America Challenge will take place in Champaign, Illinois this weekend for teams 17u to 12u. All Iowa Attack, WI Fastbreak Select, WI Hoops Select, WI Lakers 17 are among the teams headed to Champaign.
REGIONAL SKILLS ACADEMY
North Tartan will be sending a few players to the Nike Regional Skills Academy:
Amanda Zimmerman (Ballard, IA), Katie Loberg (Princeton) and Sari Noga (Parkers Prairie)
COACHING NEWS
Bloomington Jefferson is looking for a varsity assistant for the upcoming season. Hans Olson, longtime assistant to Jefferson coach Andy Meinhardt, has taken a teaching job in Rice Lake, WI. If interested contact Andy Meinhardt at ameinhar@bloomington.k12.mn.us
Next up: more news of the day
It is nice to be back.
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Out & About: All Star Championship
your daily dose of girls basketball news & information
this game took place on Sunday, April 20
MINNESOTA COACHES ALL STAR
3rd PLACE GAME
at St. Thomas
2A 98, 3A 60
The 2A team put their stamp on the championship game with the biggest victory margin, and highest point total in a championship game, since the start of the class system. 2A used the same team based play in putting their stamp on the 2008 series. Balance was a key word for the 2As. Seven players had 8 or more for the champs, while 3A only had 3. The 3 point barrage that sunk the 4As wasn't quite as potent, but the 2As shot .515 for the game compared to the .293 for 3A.
The old saying is most definitely true--"If you shoot good, you look good."Part of the 2A magic was they looked for each other, and didn't mind giving the ball up, hence the good shots. It is important to get the ball to the right people in the right spots and before the defense knows what is happening.
Another factor in the 2A win was the line and 2A made more than 3A attempted (24-14). The foul differential was not that huge (12-15). 2A was just more aggressive in attacking the basket and 3A picked their fouls up that way.
Kassie Robinson gave 3A the only lead they would have all day with a three on the first possession for the bigger schools. 2A heated up on their third possession with four straight scores. Two of them were on second chancers. Alex Montgomery had the hot hand fo
r the 2As with 11 first half points. Brianna Mastey topped her with 12 for the 3As. Montgomery's team was up 44-34 at half.2A did not have a lot of down time in the second half. They did have scoring runs of four, five and eight as 2A was scoring at will. The 2As had a 16-6 run during that time. The next dramatic question was whether the 2As could also get to the Century. The champs reached the 90 mark with 3:18 to go. With 20 seconds left it looked like they may get the ball back. They did but only for 3 seconds, not enough time to launch an attack.
Last year 2A was fourth in the four team event.
key: player, school, points, possessions, pp100, floor %
2A
STARTERS
Alex Montgomery, Cannon Falls 19, 16, 118.8, .625
Taylor Voss, Albany 8, 6, 133.3, .500
Angie Jetvig, Hawley 15, 12, 125.0, .667
Leslie Wilson, Hayfield 7, 5, 140.0, .800
Jennie Noreen, Albany 8, 8, 100.0, .500
BENCH
Kamille Wahlin, Crookston 13, 9, 144.4, .667
Becca Friestleben, Holy Family 17, 14, 121.4. .571
Jenny Gilbertson, Winona Cotter 9, 8, 112.5, .625
Faith Tinklenberg, Pipestone 2, 4, 50.0, .250
3A
STARTERS
Kassie Robinson, Simley 8, 12, 66.7., .333
Shelly Stemper, Becker 3, 7, 42.9, .286
Sara Boever, Worthington 5, 9, 55.6, .222
Megan Erlandson, Minnehaha 11, 8, 137.5, .625
Ashley Runge, Grand Rapids 1, 4, 25.0, .250
BENCH
Colleen Raune, Benilde-St. Margaret's 5, 9, 55.6, .222
Maggie Bryant, Sartell 4, 5, 80.0, .400
Brianna Mastey, Becker 21, 13, 161.5, .846
Aaryn Booker, DeLaSalle 2, 5, 40.0, .200
Casey Mann, Rogers 0, 9, 0.0, .000
TRENCH PLAYERKamille Wahlin
BY THE NUMBERS
2A 98, 82, 119.5, .573
3A 60, 81, 74.1, .371
made 3s: 2A 4, 3A 4
ftm/fta-ft%: 2A 24/29-.828; 3A 8/14-.571
bench: 2A 41, 3A 36
DEFENSIVE WRAPS
2A
Angie Jetvig 7
Alex Montgomery 6
Leslie Wilson 5
Kamille Wahlin 4
Jenny Gilbertson 4
Jennie Noreen 4
Faith Tinklenberg 4
Taylor Voss 2
Becca Friestleben 1
totals: 37
3A
Brianna Mastey 7
Kassie Robinson 5
Shelly Stemper 3
Maggie Bryant 3
Sara Boever 2
Megan Erlandson 2
Ashley Runge 2
Aaryn Booker 1
Casey Mann 1
totals: 26
ASSISTS
2A
Jennie Noreen 9
Kamielle Wahlin 7
Faith Tinklenberg 4
Taylor Voss 3
Angie Jetvig 3
Jenny Gilbertson 3
Alex Montgomery 2
Becca Friestleben 2
Leslie Wilson 2
totals: 35
3A
Casey Mann 6
Kassie Robinson 3
Sara Boever 3
Megan Erlandson 3
Maggie Bryant 3
Colleen Raune 2
Aaryn Booker 2
Brianna Mastey 1
Ashley Runge 1
totals: 24
next up: tomorrow morning
Out & About: 4A/1A 3rd Place Game
your daily dose of girls basketball news & information
this game took place on Sunday, April 20
MINNESOTA COACHES ALL STAR
3rd PLACE GAME
at St. Thomas
4A 100, 1A 65
4A, not used to playing in the third place game, ramped up their defense in the first half and hit the century mark in a 100-65 win over the smaller school class A team.The beginnings had the small towners up 6-1 as they scored on their first three possessions. But there was to be no replay of the night before. The last 1A lead came at 9-8 after a three by Jenny Noordmans. After that 4A rock and rolled to 48-18 finish in the half. A whopping 33-5 advantage in turnover
points for the game was part of the equation. 4A ran on turnovers, but they also ran off missed 1A shots. Just in the first half they had 24 points in transition. 1A had droughts of 8 (4A 11-0 run at that time); and again 8 later in the half. 4A put their pedal to the metal with seven straight scoring situations--14-2 run--9 of which were on transition.There really was no mystery in the second half other than if 4A would crack 100. The bigger schools reached 90 with six minutes left. They didn't get the 100th point until Ephesia Holmes scored after a steal and that came right at the buzzer.
Turnover differential for the game was a +16 for 4A (24-8). Shots were hard to come by in front of the two point line for 1A and they resorted more to the long bombs.
In 2005, the last time these two team played it was 1A beating the 4A squad 62-48. Since this new series began 4A's record is 6-2, 1A is 3-5.
Since I reviewed all these players yesterday, I won't comment in detail, but give some highlights if warranted.
key: player, school, points, possessions, pp100, floor %
4A
STARTERS
Kiara Buford, St. Paul Central 12, 9, 133.3, .667 another strong performance on both ends. MVP for 4A
Brittnye McSparron, Eastview 23, 14, 164.3, .786 had 18 of her points in the second half.
Stephanie Sension, Hopkins 5, 3, 166.7, .667 had a behind the back pass assist in transition. Molly Geske, Cretin-Derham Hall 6, 5, 120.0, .600
Courtney Boylan, Chaska 13, 9, 144.4. .667 had 11 in the first half. most in transition.
BENCH
Ephesia Holmes, Mpls South 4, 5, 80.0, .400
Kiara Allums, Centennial 7, 8, 87.5, .500 led the team in assists and was second in D stops.
Jackie Voigt, Park-Cottage Grove 13, 17, 76.5, .412 led team in D Stops.
Emily Becken, Centennial 11, 8, 137.5, .625
Jordyn Sears, St. Cloud Tech 6, 6, 100.0, .500
1A
STARTERS
Whitney Langen, Kittson County Central 11, 6, 183.3, .833 points came off second chancers and paint buckets.
Maria Gangelhoff, Sleepy Eye St. Mary's 2, 6, 33.3, .167
Brooke DeWall, SW Star 2, 5, 40.0, .200
Autumn Beasley, Heritage 5, 12, 41.7, .167 still struggled with ball handling duties. suited for shooting guard.
Anna Wicklund, BGMR 11, 7, 157.1, .714 needs to be way more aggressive and active on the defensive side of things.
BENCH
Jenny Noordmans, Hancock 14, 17, 82.4, .353 was the MVP of the 1A
Gretta Hjelseth, Nevis 5, 13, 38.5, .154 needs to get stronger physically and with the ball.
Megan Myhre, Barnum 6, 8, 75.0, .375
Megan Cleveland, Menahga 9, 8, 112.5, .375 all points beyond the arc.
TRENCH PLAYERBrittnye McSparron
BY THE NUMBERS
4A 100, 84, 119.0, .583
1A 64, 82, 79.9, .341
made 3s: 1A 8, 4A 4
ftm/fta-ft%: 4A 16/21-.762; 1A 9/15-.600
bench: 4A 41, 3A 34
DEFENSIVE WRAPS
4A
Jackie Voigt 10
Kiara Allums 8
Brittnye McSparron 6
Ephesia Holmes 5
Stephanie Sension 4
Kiara Buford 3
Molly Geske 3
Courtney Boylan 3
Emily Becken 1
Jordyn Sears 1
totals: 44
1A
Jenny Noordmans 5.5
Brooke DeWall 5
Gretta Hjelseth 4.5
Whitney Langen 4
Megan Cleveland 4
Anna Wicklund 1
totals: 24
ASSISTS
4A
Kiara Allums 8
Kiara Buford 5
Courtney Boylan 5
Stephanie Sension 5
Brittnye McSparron 3
Ephesia Holmes 3
Emily Becken 3
Jordyn Sears 3
Molly Geske 2
Jackie Voigt 1
totals: 38
1A
Maria Gangelhoff 6
Autumn Beasley 5
Gretta Hjelseth 4
Megan Myhre 3
Megan Cleveland 3
Whitney Langen 2
totals: 23
next up: later today with the All Star Championship
4 Signings, All Star Links, 2 Late Results, State Seeding
#1 posting 4.24.2008
your daily dose of girls basketball news & information
SIGNINGS
I reported that DaNae Moore of Eastview signed with Creighton this past weekend. Now here is the Creighton press release with another signee--Stephani Rhoten of Canyon, Texas and Seward County CC.
Amy Frye of Hudson has signed with St. Cloud State. From the Hudson Star Observer.
Emily Greiner of Kingsland has signed with Mount Mercy in Cedar Rapids. The 5-6 guard averaged 17.5 for the 24-3 Knights. From the Spring Valley Tribune. Greiner is the 110th Minnesota 2008 player to sign. She is the 5th headed to the NAIA.
Tiffany Gregorich of Altoona, WI is headed to UW River Falls. From the Eau Claire Leader Telegram.
COACHING NEWS
Again the story has been out there, but now Southern Illinois has their press release on the hiring of Tanya Bauer, former UMD coach, as the new assistant women's basketball coach.
Hankinson, North Dakota will keep both girls basketball coaches Shawn Gravalin and assistant Mike Loll after receiving a letter listing complaints. The Fargo Forum has the story and some of the complaints in the letter.
ALL STAR GAME
Angie Jetvig of Hawley and her performance in the All Star game is featured in the Kerry Collins column in the Fargo Forum. As to why 2A won "Everybody was so unselfish.” said Jetvig.
Here is the All Star Stat pages or links to them.
You can see SportsBrain09 with video interviews with some of the players on YouTube.
LAST WEEKEND
In the Adidas Super South Classic at Winthrop University this past weekend Minnesota Stars Borowicz/Hested finished with a 4-1 record. They won their bracket and then lost in the semifinals of the final four against NYC Exodus. This Stars team only had 8 players make the trip. Players competing for the Stars were: Theairra Taylor - St. Paul Central; Dani Mangen - Osseo; Tyisha Smith - Mpls South; Kate Thompson - Wayzata; Leah Dietel - Jordan; Megan Waytashek - Centennial; Cassie Rochel - Lakeville North and Rachelle Eckmann - St. James.
In the Windy City Classic in Chicago, IL. North Tartan Crosby went 5-0 and won the mini bracket. NTC beat the Illinois Valley Stars 17's, Wisconsin Pride Elite 17's, Indiana Region Rage 16's, Minnesota Suns 16's and Nebraska Omaha Crusaders 17's. Sarah Hendricks (Cretin-Derham Hall) was NTC's tournaments leading scorer and most consistent player.
THIS WEEKEND
The Minnesota State Seeding tournament is this weekend at Bloomington Kennedy. Here is the information page, and schedule page.
SHOWCASE
BlueprintSAS is looking for unsigned seniors or underclassmen for their Spring Showcase Saturday at the MAC Center in Verona. One of the staff listed for the event is Angel Robinson of Marquette (and St. Paul Central).
Thanks to all the readers for the help on the results from last weekend. The help is appreciated.
If you have news or results, go to my profile and email me.
next up: Later today with the final games of the All Star Series.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Out & About: 2A/4A
#3 posting 4.23.2008
your daily dose of girls basketball news & information
This game took place Saturday, April 19
MINNESOTA COACHES ALL STAR GAME
at St. Thomas
2A 87, 4A 70
Many people looked at this score as an upset. But for those that follow the blog during the high school season know that 2A had some deep talent this year. Coach Teas & I thought the 2A state tournament was going to be the most competitive. That talent rose up and took the 4A down 87-70 in the second game Saturday at St. Thomas. 2A played the game like the old Bill Russell Boston Celtics-- as a team-- while the 4A played the style angle like the Los Angeles Lakers. The fact was that 4A had seven D1 players on the roster while 2A had three. 4A plays tough competition day in and day out. All the 4A players travel around the country in the summer tournaments. But 2A were not intimidated by the bigger schools and had could shoot, shoot, shoot. I think one big difference is 2A had shooters on their roster, while 4A had scorers. The smaller schools also took better care of the ball and didn't breakdown under the 4A pressure. Another factor in 2As advantage--they had 8 players 5-10 or bigger compared to 4A with five. That advantage is pronounced on the perimeter. All were potent ingredients in this upset. This was the first time 4A lost in a first round game in this series.
Kamille Wahlin got things going first with a pull up after the fourth 2A possession. On the next 2A possession Becca Friestleben knocked down the first of five 3s. 2A did have a mini drought of five but 4A didn't take advantage of the down time. 4A did tie the game at 9 on a three by Brittnye McSparron. 4A did have a lead at 13-11 after a rebound basket by Ephesia Holmes. On the next eight 4A possessions they were only able to find the bottom of the basket once. 2A didn't take time off and went of a 8-2 run to lead 19-15. Friestleben with another 3 put 2A up for good. The biggest class was able to get the margin down to one twice, the last at 23-22, but 2A always had an answer. The answer this time was a Taylor Voss three. 2A had a 9-4 run in four straight possessions to take a 41-32 lead. Again the 2As struck gold behind the arc with Jenny Gilbertson dropping the bomb. 2A led 48-39 at half. Kiara Buford had 10 points to lead 4A. Friestleben led the 2A with 9.
Friestleben drained her 4th three on the first possession of the second half. The 2
As pushed the lead to 14 before a five possession drought breathed new life into the 4As. They managed to cut the margin to 58-51 after a three by Holmes. The give and take of the game, the push the pull kept the margin in the 12 to 8 point range. 4A had one last great push with five straight scores. The problem was 2A also managed to score during the same time. 2A led 76-68 with 6:29 left. Then there was a power outage. It affected both teams and lasted 14 possessions and three minutes. The 2As had 7 empty possessions but the power outage lasted one longer. It was a 1/13 finish for the big school. Meanwhile the 2As finished up with six straight scores. Wahlin started it off with a jumper and four different 2A players scored afterward. It wasn't the 4A had chances, sometimes they had multiple chances on each possession. The proverbial Davids slayed the Goliaths 87-70.
2A only had nine players in action. Renae Henjum of New London-Spicer was out due to a knee injury.
Albany coach Jon Noreen was sporting a clean face. After the state tournament win he was forced to shave the moustache off by the team.
Photos: #1 Courtney Boylan sails through the air on a lay up attempt. #2. Becca Friestleben ready fire another 3. photos by Teas.
key: player, school, points, possessions, pp100, floor %
2A
STARTERS
Becca Friestleben, Holy Family 15, 13, 115.4, .385 Where I was sitting I could here 4A fans go "oh no" every time she caught the ball and shot. deadly behind the arc with five 3s on the night. also was a force on defense with the most d stops.
Angie Jetvig, Hawley 17, 12, 141.7, .750 unknown to most of the crowd. We named her player of the week late in February so we were aware of her ability to handle the ball and smooth style in the paint. tough enough to get hit and score. Left an impact on the crowd and 4A players.
Kamille Wahlin, Crookston 8, 8, 100.0, .500 the floor general for 2A. great vision. involves the team. gets the ball to the player before they know they are open. nice pull up. lefty.
Jenny Gilbertson, Winona Cotter 15, 15, 100.0, .400 a post player that runs the floor. also has 3 point range (3 times).
Faith Tinklenberg, Pipestone 13, 11, 118.2, .636 has competitive drive. understands the game. balanced. contributed on all phases. runs the floor.
BENCH
Alex Montgomery, Cannon Falls 4, 7, 57.1, .286 another lefty. post player with perimeter shooting ability. also runs the floor.
Jennie Noreen, Albany 4, 7, 57.1, .286 guard. has quickness and slashing ability.
Leslie Wilson, Hayfield 2, 5, 40.0, .200 guard.
Taylor Voss, Albany 9, 7, 128.6, .571 shooting guard. runs the floor.
4A
STARTERS
Ephesia Holmes, Mpls South 9, 10, 90.0, .400 point guard. has good body control. delivered a three.
Kiara Allums, Centennial 6, 11, 54.5, .273 athletic forward. runs the floor.
Jordyn Sears, St. Cloud Tech 0, 5, 0.0, .000 guard. transition game was closed to her.
Jackie Voigt, Park-Cottage Grove 8, 6, 133.3, .667 post with perimeter shooting.
Emily Becken, Centennial 5, 6, 83.3, .500 guard.
BENCH
Molly Geske, Cretin-Derham Hall 4, 5, 80.0, .400 perimeter.
Stephanie Sension, Hopkins 1, 7, 14.3, .143 post player. needs to protect the ball better. ball was exposed. on defense the refs weren't buying the charges
Kiara Buford, St. Paul Central 19, 15, 126.7, .667 led both teams in scoring. very active around the basket. had five points on second shots. can score a variety of ways. built to run.
Courtney Boylan, Chaska 9, 10, 90.0, .400 led her team in assists. has strength and body control. Knocked down a three.
Brittnye McSparron, Eastview 9, 11, 81.8, .364 has pull up shot down. quick hands. passes were a bit off.
TRENCH PLAYER
Angie Jetvig
BY THE NUMBERS
2A 87, 85, 102.4, .471
4A 70, 86, 81.4, .419
made 3s: 2A 9, 4A 3
ftm/fta-ft%: 2A 10/12-.833; 4A 11/18-.611
bench: 4A 42, 2A 32
DEFENSIVE WRAPS
2A
Becca Friestleben 9.5
Angie Jetvig 6
Alex Montgomery 6
Faith Tinklenberg 5.5
Taylor Voss 3
Jenny Gilbertson 2.5
Kamille Wahlin 2
Leslie Wilson 1.5
Jennie Noreen 1
totals 37