Scrimmages!!

Finally - things are starting to happen since those first few opening practices. 

First, was able to take in the Gustavus Intrasquad scrimmage this last Saturday (10-30) down in St. Peter.  To say that Head Coach Mickey Haller has reeled in a bevy of young talent would be a massive understatement.  This may very well be the best recruiting class she's ever had and it will be fun to watch this group develop and mix and mesh with the returning veterans.  The newcomers include Eli Benz from Steele, North Dakota (Miss North Dakota Basketball), Julia Dysthie of White Bear Lake (starting PG for WBL team that made it to Class 4A State title game), Britta Rinke of Waconia, and Olivia Johnson of Red Wing, just to name a few.  Add in the returning players from last year (Geske, Mathiowetz, Ruane, Perry, and sophomore Abby Rothenbuler) and you've got the makings of a team that certainly is a solid MIAC playoff contender although they're probably a year away from making a serious MIAC title run.

As for the scrimmage itself, I couldn't help but be impressed with Dysthie from WBL.  She is an excellent shooter and she'll quickly adapt to the college game.  Colleen Ruane, the heir apparent to Bri Radtke's PG spot, is more than ready to step in and run the offense for the Gusties.  She sees the floor extrememly well and knows how to get all of her teammates involved.  She has deceptive speed and isn't afraid to put the rock up if she has the good shot.  EXACTLY what you want from your PG.  Another player who caught my eye Saturday - sophomore Amanda Iverson of Waconia.  Although not on the varsity squad last year, she's made some marked improvements in her game over the off-season and I think she's ready to make some major contributions over the next three years.

Then today, I was able to catch the scrimmage between Anoka-Ramsey Community College and Macalester; an interesting clash between the top junior college program in the state and a MIAC playoff qualifier from this last season.  Because the bloody doors to the gym were inexplicably locked when I got to Leonard Center, I wasn't able to record the score for the first stanza (was finally able to get in after some confusion amongst the staff - weird) I did keep track of the next two stanzas between the teams.  The second stanza saw Mac edging ARCC by a score of 29-22.  At one point, Mac was up 23-12 but a 10-0 run by ARCC got the Golden Rams to within one of their MIAC foe but then the Scots answered with a 6-0 run of their own to close out this second 20-minute set.  The 3rd and final stanza saw ARCC turn the tables on Mac as they won handily 28-11.  Mac was playing their reserves exclusively in this set as I'm sure Head Coach Ellen Thompson wanted to see what they could do. 

Macalester obviously will not be the team they had last year when they still had Ann Baltzer, Trina PaStarr, and Danielle Johnson; just so hard to replace that kind of talent AND senior leadership.  They do return the sharp-shooting Rene Sisters (Shannon and Jessica; both juniors) along with (now) seniors Majra Mucic, Maddy Emanuel, and Jessica Ramirez.  Also, Holly Schiedermayer (junior) is ready to step in at Baltzer's old post spot.   Beyond that, there's a lot of unknown (and unproven newcomers).  But you have to think that they'll at least be dangerous and can compete for that 6th playoff spot.

ARCC has the one thing that may have prevented them from winning a National Championship last year - a bench!  Head Coach David DeWitt has brought in a load of newcomers to bevy his already-impressive sophomore group.  Oddly enough, starting post Marie Hanson did not play in this game as she is recovering from a sore knee (hmmm....reminds me of yours truly who ALWAYS has a sore knee anymore!). 

Will definitely be catching some more scrimmages in the next several days and will keep you posted on what I observe.