Edina vs Bloomington Jefferson Section 2 Class 4AAAA Semifinal

Had plenty of time in between games to get settled in and ready for this one.  In fact, I was able to find a place in the south stands not terribly far from Minnetonka standout Katy Winge who was in attendance for this one as her team knocked off Minneapolis South earlier in the day to advance to their section Championship game. 

In this game, Bloomington Jefferson came out very strong and senior post Anna Smith who is bound for UST had a big part in the scoring for the Jaguars.  While Edina looked totally out of synch on offense and struggled for the most part in the first half, they were able to stay in it thanks to timely scores by junior Katybeth Biewen, senior Jamie Bresnahan and sophomore MC McGrory.  With Bloomington Jefferson up by only 13-12 at the 11:28 mark, the Jaguars then opened things up.  Smith canned a "3" at the 10:53 mark as did reserve sophomore Brooke Fritzler at the 9:28 mark.  Smith powered her way inside the somewhat porous Edina defense to score inside at the 5:37 mark and then junior Cassie Anderson knocked down a "3" from the left top at the 2:21 mark.  Still another "3" by Fritzler with just under a minute left before the half enabled Bloomington Jefferson to go into the locker room up 29-16 at the break while Edina simply looked out of sorts and frustrated. 

Whether the Hornets got a good talking-to at the half or if Bloomington Jefferson simply felt too good about themselves is not clear but the second half was almost a 180 from the first.  Bresnahan got the Hornets on the board first in the second half at the 17:09 mark and Edina simply looked like a different team; more focus, more intensity - and taking care of the rock a lot better than they did in the first half.  Biewen was able to get herself untracked and got a huge score at the 15:40 mark and was fouled as well in the process.  The ensuing free throw brought Edina closer now; trailing only 31-26.  The Jaguars would at least hold the five point lead for a while as Smith was able to do some more damage inside and Anderson canned another "3" from the top of the key at the 9:01 mark to up the ante at 38-30.  But Edina would not wilt as they again clawed their way back and this time brought it all the way back at 38-all by the 6:38 mark.  Bloomington Jefferson would enjoy one last lead at 39-38 when Smith canned a charity stripe shot but Edina took the lead for good at the 5:29 mark when McGrory swished a "3" from the right wing at the 5:29 mark and a 41-39 lead.  Bloomington Jefferson would stay close but never could regain control as Edina eventually won this one down the stretch from the charity stripe enroute to a 54-46 triumph.  While you had to admire the gallant Edina comeback in the second half, I couldn't help but feel badly for Bloomington Jefferson's Anna Smith who was in tears afterward.