Made an impromptu trip down to St. Peter and Lund Arena on the campus of Gustavus Adolphus College on this Friday evening to take in (what I could anyway) the second half of the GAC Tip-Off Classic that featured visiting UW-Stout of the WIAC going up against the host Gusties. I got into Lund Arena and settled in at the 5:30 mark of the second period with UW-Stout holding a tenuous 23-22 advantage.
A short shot by lanky senior forward Lindsey Johnson with 4:32 left and a score in the paint by senior forward Stephanie Kastens with 3:54 left allowed the Gusties and Blue Devils to trade one-point leads. But, with 2:36 left, Johnson found herself open in the left wing area and she gracefully drained a three-point bomb that had GAC up 27-25. Two turnovers and a handful of missed shots by UW-Stout gave the Gusties a bit of an opening before the half and sophomore guard Mikayla Miller pounced on an opening in the Blue Devil defense and connected with a lay-up with :32 left for a 29-25 GAC lead. Kastens was able to convert on another opportunity in the paint for UW-Stout that made it a one-possession game going into the locker room at the half but it was plain to see that the Blue Devils were going to have to clean up their act if they wanted to pull off an unlikely road win on the other side of the Mississippi River.
UW-Stout managed to hang tough in the third period as a short shot off the glass by junior forward Jenna Goldsmith at the 9:37 mark and a hard drive along the right baseline and finish by junior forward Danielle Adams kept the Blue Devils within a single possession trailing 33-31. Two more Goldsmith scores in the paint - one at the 7:43 mark and another at the 7:01 mark - kept UW-Stout close but it was here that the Gusties were able to forge a bit of an opening. Freshman guard Taylor Anderson's score in the paint at the 6:37 mark and a lay-up in transition by fellow freshman reserve guard Justine Lee now had GAC up 41-35 and a score in the paint by junior reserve post Cara Christiansen helped maintain that six-point edge at 43-37. A "3" from the right top area by freshman reserve guard Kyncaide Diedrich brought UW-Stout back to within three with 4:20 left but the Gusties were able to get on a key 6-0 run. Miller uncorked a "3' from the top of the key as the shot clock expired with 2:53 left and then junior reserve guard Kelsey Carpenter connected on a lay-up in transition with 1:47 left. A score in the paint by sophomore forward Miranda Rice with 1:29 left suddenly made it a ten-point game at 50-40 and the Blue Devils seemed stunned by what hit them. Two Rice free throws with :43.9 left and a tough score in the paint with :23 left gave GAC a 54-42 lead and then Johnson, the Edina native, put the exclamation point on this big third period with her Hail Mary heave of a prayer from way downtown with just :00.2 left that gave the Gusties a seemingly safe 57-44 lead.
Johnson's score in the paint at the 9:34 mark that got her fouled and allowed her to sink the obligatory freebie gave GAC its largest lead of the game at 60-44 but UW-Stout slyly worked its way back into the contest and made things dangerous for the Gusties down the stretch. Senior guard Kyleigh Hebert connected on a lay-up in transition at the 7:31 mark and Kastens was able to muscle into the paint for a score at the 6:27 mark. Adams was able to get a lay-up out of a steal and this 6-0 burst let the Blue Devils draw closer trailing by ten at 60-50 at the 5:04 mark. Two free throws by senior guard Dana Karlstad with 4:39 left and two more by Goldsmith with 3:06 left along with a lay-up by freshman reserve guard Shannan Watkins with 2:27 left had UW-Stout back in single-digit range trailing 64-56. Blue Devil Head Coach Mark Thomas; sensing the Gusties vulnerability, called a timeout to lay-out strategy for his squad. Still, things seemed safe enough for GAC when Miller used her 5'8" frame to score in the paint with 1:56 left for a 66-56 Gustie lead and there would have been no reason to sweat from a Black and Gold perspective if they could just convert on free throws in the home stretch. Miller, in fact, did sink two charity stripe shots with 1:33 left for a 68-58 lead but UW-Stout was far from finished. After Miller failed to convert on two attempts from the charity stripe with 1:12 left, Diedrich connected with a lay-up in transition with :30 left that had the Blue Devils back to within single digits again trailing 68-60. On the ensuing GAC possession, freshman reserve guard Brooke Lemke was fouled with :26.5 but she, too, was unable to convert. On the ensuing UW-Stout possession, Hebert snared an offensive rebound off of a missed shot by freshman reserve guard Bailey Diersen and got a putback and was fouled in the process. She sunk the obligatory freebie and suddenly the Gustie lead was now down to five at 68-63. Fortunately for GAC, that's as close as the Blue Devils would get. Miller cooly sunk two free throws when she was immediately fouled with :14.3 left and Lee did the same with :05.3 left as the Gusties held on for an important non-conference win 72-67.
A somewhat relieved GAC Head Coach Laurie Kelly was quick to acknowledge afterward that her squad's youth and inexperience may have played a role in allowing UW-Stout to get back into the contest late after the Gusties had seemingly sewn up the victory. She also said that Miller; her star point guard, is working her way back to full health and conditioning although from my vantage point she looked as strong as ever. "It's always easier to be critical after a win than it is after a loss" she pointed out and I expect that the Gusties - particularly the young new faces - will have to endure a learning curve but, once they do, they'll be fine. Indeed, Miller led all scorers on this night with the 23 points she poured in and Johnson was right behind with her 20 points. Goldsmith and Diedrich each chipped in 10 points in the losing effort for UW-Stout. The Blue Devils actually had a slight advantage on the boards at 41-39 but were also guilty of 27 turnovers - something that will have to change once UW-Stout delves into WIAC play.
Los Angeles Rams
Sunday, November 22, 2015
Augsburg vs Northwestern Recap 11-17-15
Was over at Northwestern's Ericksen Center on this Tuesday evening to take in another early-season MIAC-UMAC clash between visiting Augsburg and host Northwestern. The host Eagles already had a big road win over a MIAC opponent this last Saturday night when they knocked off Carleton while the Auggies held off a strong challenge from St. Scholastica of the UMAC so it would be interesting to see which side would prevail in this one.
Predictably, Northwestern Head Coach Aaron Kahl had his squad in its 2-3 "match-up" zone defense that Kahl loves to employ but that didn't seem to faze the Auggies; particularly senior point guard Maria Loughlin. The Rogers native knocked down one jumper from the right elbow at the 8:34 mark and then drained a "3" from the left corner at the 7:45 mark for a 5-2 Augsburg lead. Eagle junior guard Tiffany Stubbs connected on a lay-up in transition at the 6:17 mark that drew Northwestern closer trailing 5-4 but the Auggies would respond. Sophomore forward Hannah Steinhaus got a lay-up at the 5:55 mark and then Loughlin used her deft left-handed touch to coax another trey attempt down the chute from the right top area at the 5:01 mark for a 10-4 Augsburg lead. Then it was Loughlin again with 3:58 left as she knocked down a jumper from the left wing area that expanded the lead to 12-4. One free throw by senior forward Jessica Lillquist and a drive and jumper in the lane by fellow senior guard Allison McKee completed the 12-0 burst that upped the lead to 17-4. Senior post Regan Cooper's score in the paint with 1:12 left finally broke the Eagle drought but Augsburg was not yet done making its mark on this first period. Freshman guard Alaina Quaranta snuck through and snared a steal and dashed the other way for an easy lay-up with :28 left and then senior reserve guard Jenna Orth was able to maneuver inside for a score in the paint with just :01 left ending the first period with Augsburg comfortably up 21-8.
The Auggies looked to be off and running again early in the second period when freshman reserve forward Megan Quam connected with a short shot off the glass at the 9:42 mark but Northwestern was able to make a bit of a cut into the deficit. Senior forward Courtney Cunard's jumper from the right side at the 7:47 mark trimmed the Augsburg lead down to 23-10. Both teams went into a drought over the next four minutes before Stubbs finally dusted the cobwebs off the net with her "3" from the top of the key with 3:44 left that cut the Auggie lead down to ten at 23-13. A short shot in the lane by freshman reserve guard Taryn Tumbleson had the Eagles back to within single digits trailing 23-15 but then the pesky Quaranta gave Augsburg a bit of a boost. A score in the paint with 2:41 left and another steal and lay-up the other way with 1:31 left jacked the lead back up to double digits at 27-15 and Northwestern's Kahl; fearing having to face a huge halftime deficit, called a timeout to get his squad reorganized. The Eagles took their cue from the impromptu break just before the half and got the deficit slimmed down once again. Sophomore guard Amy Berglund got one charity stripe shot to fall after being fouled with :56.6 left and then Tumbleson was able to snare a steal in the backcourt and race coast-to-coast for a lay-up with :24 left that had things much more manageable again as Augsburg's lead was now only 27-19 going into the locker room at the half.
As much as this contest started in the Auggies favor, Northwestern was able to do the same when the third period started. An offensive rebound for a putback by Cooper at the 8:34 mark along with a Cooper freebie at the 6:59 mark cut Augsburg's lead down to five at 27-22. A "3" by Stubbs from the right wing at the 6:30 mark brought the house down as the Auggie lead was now down to a scant two points at 27-25. Two Berglund free throws at the 5:47 mark knotted things up at 27 before Augsburg found a bit of a reprieve when Loughlin uncorked a pretty "3" from the right wing at the 5:19 mark for a 30-27 advantage. But the Eagles were not to be deterred in this third period. Trailing 32-29 after Quam scored in the paint for Augsburg with 3:37 left, Berglund connected with a lay-up with 3:19 left and then sophomore reserve guard Jessica Cole got in on the act. The Altoona, Iowa native let loose with a "3" from the left wing area with 1:39 left that gave Northwestern it's first lead since the opening moments of the contest at 34-32. She then dropped two free throws after getting fouled with :48.1 left and then was able to snare a steal and connected with a jumper in the lane with :38 left for a 38-32 Eagle lead. Augsburg reserve sophomore forward Bridget Bednar's score in the paint cut Northwestern's lead down to 38-34 with :23 left but at the end of the third period, it seemed clear that the pendulum had swung unmistakably in the Eagles favor.
But the Auggies had other intentions in the fourth and decisive period. And so did Augsburg senior guard Ashley Anfinson who came with both barrels blazing. Back-to-back treys - one from the left corner at the 9:16 mark and another from the left wing at the 8:41 mark - had the Auggies back in front by a 40-38 score. Cole tried to reverse Northwestern's fortunes with her "3" from the top of the key at the 8:23 mark that had the Eagles ahead at 41-40 but the Eagles simply could not seem to find a way to get a grasp on Anfinson who uncorked yet another "3" - this one from the right wing at the 7:18 mark for a 43-41 Augsburg lead. Back-to-back scores by Steinhaus at the 6:21 and 5:46 marks increased the Auggie lead to 47-42 before a Tumbleson "3" at the 5:18 mark from the top off the glass had the Eagles back to within a single possession trailing 47-45. But it was at this point where Augsburg would shut the door for good on Northwestern's chances. One trey by the lefty Loughlin from the left corner with 4:51 left and another one by Anfinson from the right top area with 3:59 left - her fourth of the period alone - now had the Auggies up 53-45 and the Eagles were now in dire straits. Northwestern was able to close the gap to four points behind two Cooper freebies and a Cunard steal and lay-up the other way with 1:09 left but insurance free throws by Loughlin and Steinhaus gave Augsburg an important non-conference victory by a 58-51 margin.
Predictably, Northwestern Head Coach Aaron Kahl had his squad in its 2-3 "match-up" zone defense that Kahl loves to employ but that didn't seem to faze the Auggies; particularly senior point guard Maria Loughlin. The Rogers native knocked down one jumper from the right elbow at the 8:34 mark and then drained a "3" from the left corner at the 7:45 mark for a 5-2 Augsburg lead. Eagle junior guard Tiffany Stubbs connected on a lay-up in transition at the 6:17 mark that drew Northwestern closer trailing 5-4 but the Auggies would respond. Sophomore forward Hannah Steinhaus got a lay-up at the 5:55 mark and then Loughlin used her deft left-handed touch to coax another trey attempt down the chute from the right top area at the 5:01 mark for a 10-4 Augsburg lead. Then it was Loughlin again with 3:58 left as she knocked down a jumper from the left wing area that expanded the lead to 12-4. One free throw by senior forward Jessica Lillquist and a drive and jumper in the lane by fellow senior guard Allison McKee completed the 12-0 burst that upped the lead to 17-4. Senior post Regan Cooper's score in the paint with 1:12 left finally broke the Eagle drought but Augsburg was not yet done making its mark on this first period. Freshman guard Alaina Quaranta snuck through and snared a steal and dashed the other way for an easy lay-up with :28 left and then senior reserve guard Jenna Orth was able to maneuver inside for a score in the paint with just :01 left ending the first period with Augsburg comfortably up 21-8.
The Auggies looked to be off and running again early in the second period when freshman reserve forward Megan Quam connected with a short shot off the glass at the 9:42 mark but Northwestern was able to make a bit of a cut into the deficit. Senior forward Courtney Cunard's jumper from the right side at the 7:47 mark trimmed the Augsburg lead down to 23-10. Both teams went into a drought over the next four minutes before Stubbs finally dusted the cobwebs off the net with her "3" from the top of the key with 3:44 left that cut the Auggie lead down to ten at 23-13. A short shot in the lane by freshman reserve guard Taryn Tumbleson had the Eagles back to within single digits trailing 23-15 but then the pesky Quaranta gave Augsburg a bit of a boost. A score in the paint with 2:41 left and another steal and lay-up the other way with 1:31 left jacked the lead back up to double digits at 27-15 and Northwestern's Kahl; fearing having to face a huge halftime deficit, called a timeout to get his squad reorganized. The Eagles took their cue from the impromptu break just before the half and got the deficit slimmed down once again. Sophomore guard Amy Berglund got one charity stripe shot to fall after being fouled with :56.6 left and then Tumbleson was able to snare a steal in the backcourt and race coast-to-coast for a lay-up with :24 left that had things much more manageable again as Augsburg's lead was now only 27-19 going into the locker room at the half.
As much as this contest started in the Auggies favor, Northwestern was able to do the same when the third period started. An offensive rebound for a putback by Cooper at the 8:34 mark along with a Cooper freebie at the 6:59 mark cut Augsburg's lead down to five at 27-22. A "3" by Stubbs from the right wing at the 6:30 mark brought the house down as the Auggie lead was now down to a scant two points at 27-25. Two Berglund free throws at the 5:47 mark knotted things up at 27 before Augsburg found a bit of a reprieve when Loughlin uncorked a pretty "3" from the right wing at the 5:19 mark for a 30-27 advantage. But the Eagles were not to be deterred in this third period. Trailing 32-29 after Quam scored in the paint for Augsburg with 3:37 left, Berglund connected with a lay-up with 3:19 left and then sophomore reserve guard Jessica Cole got in on the act. The Altoona, Iowa native let loose with a "3" from the left wing area with 1:39 left that gave Northwestern it's first lead since the opening moments of the contest at 34-32. She then dropped two free throws after getting fouled with :48.1 left and then was able to snare a steal and connected with a jumper in the lane with :38 left for a 38-32 Eagle lead. Augsburg reserve sophomore forward Bridget Bednar's score in the paint cut Northwestern's lead down to 38-34 with :23 left but at the end of the third period, it seemed clear that the pendulum had swung unmistakably in the Eagles favor.
But the Auggies had other intentions in the fourth and decisive period. And so did Augsburg senior guard Ashley Anfinson who came with both barrels blazing. Back-to-back treys - one from the left corner at the 9:16 mark and another from the left wing at the 8:41 mark - had the Auggies back in front by a 40-38 score. Cole tried to reverse Northwestern's fortunes with her "3" from the top of the key at the 8:23 mark that had the Eagles ahead at 41-40 but the Eagles simply could not seem to find a way to get a grasp on Anfinson who uncorked yet another "3" - this one from the right wing at the 7:18 mark for a 43-41 Augsburg lead. Back-to-back scores by Steinhaus at the 6:21 and 5:46 marks increased the Auggie lead to 47-42 before a Tumbleson "3" at the 5:18 mark from the top off the glass had the Eagles back to within a single possession trailing 47-45. But it was at this point where Augsburg would shut the door for good on Northwestern's chances. One trey by the lefty Loughlin from the left corner with 4:51 left and another one by Anfinson from the right top area with 3:59 left - her fourth of the period alone - now had the Auggies up 53-45 and the Eagles were now in dire straits. Northwestern was able to close the gap to four points behind two Cooper freebies and a Cunard steal and lay-up the other way with 1:09 left but insurance free throws by Loughlin and Steinhaus gave Augsburg an important non-conference victory by a 58-51 margin.
Friday, November 20, 2015
Crown vs St. Kate's Recap 11-16-15
My first game of the 2015-16 season had me over at Butler Center on the campus of St. Catherine's University to take in the season opener between host St. Kate's and visiting Crown out of the UMAC. While I wasn't expecting great things from either team in this tip-off game, I did want to see how much the Wildcats had progressed since I caught one of their opening practices back in October.
Both teams felt each other out in the opening minutes of the first period as the 'Cats and the Storm traded several one-point leads. Freshman guard Hannah Malone gave Crown a 2-1 lead at the 9:02 mark and the West Salem, Wisconsin native struck again at the 7:38 mark with a steal and lay-up the other way for a 4-3 Storm lead. Willowy junior forward Kennedy Jennings got the 'Cats back out in front 5-4 with her score in the paint at the 7:22 mark but St. Kate's Head Coach Sean Pinkerton shed his familiar sportcoat at the 6:45 mark as Crown was not willing to go away so quickly. Sophomore guard Jessica Klaustermeier connected with a lay-up ten seconds later and although scores from Jennings and senior guard Shauna Horsch had the Wildcats up by three at 9-6 at the 5:51 mark, the Storm tied things up at 9-all on a "3" from the right wing area by sophomore reserve guard Marissa Bacerra. But that would be the last "feel good" moment of the night for Crown as the 'Cats proceeded to go on a 16-1 run to wind up the first period. Flashy junior reserve guard LaShay Holt got the party started with a coast-to-coast lay-up with 4:44 left. Sophomore guard Audra Clark's lay-up with 4:20 left and a pretty drive and lay-up by Horsch with 3:31 left gave St. Kate's at 15-10 lead. Audra Clark again made her presence felt with 2:22 left when she snared a steal and dashed the other way for a lay-up - and got fouled in the process as well and the obligatory freebie pushed the lead to 18-10. Holt then put the finishing touches on the first period: a score in the paint with 1:46 left, a "3" from the top of the key with 1:22 left and a jumper from the left elbow with just :02 on the clock to make it a 25-10 ballgame and Crown was reeling when the buzzer sounded ending the first period.
The 'Cats were far from finished, however, once the second period got underway. Junior forward/post Mari Lee sunk two free throws at the 8:38 mark and then it was Holt with a long rebound and lay-up at the 7:57 mark. Audra Clark's lay-up in transition at the 7:36 mark expanded St. Kate's lead to 31-10 before the Storm finally stopped some of the bleeding at the 6:48 mark on junior reserve guard Charmaine Begay's jumper from the free throw line. But the Wildcats would get the lead back up to twenty-plus on Holt's offensive rebound and putback of her own miss at the 5:50 mark. A sweet move and drive and finish by Jennings that got her fouled in the process and allowed her to sink the obligatory freebie not only expanded the lead to 36-12 but also had St. Kate's in the bonus as well with 4:42 left; further complicating Crown's perilous situation. The Storm did get a bit of a break when sophomore reserve guard Marissa Becerra hit a long jumper from the left wing as the shot clock was expiring with 3:10 left but an aggressive St. Kate's defense never let the Storm get into any real offensive flow in the first half. Reserve junior guard/forward Alexis Garcia knocked down a jumper from the free throw line with 2:05 left and a three-point bomb from the left top area by junior reserve guard Annie Schoeben capped a big first half for the Wildcats as St. Kate's took a commanding 45-22 lead into the locker room at the half.
The Storm tried valiantly to make inroads on the huge deficit once the third period got underway. Free throws by junior post Sam Mauer at the 8:07 mark and Klaustermeier at the 7:42 mark along with a steal and lay-up the other way by diminutive sophomore guard Andrea Besa at the 7:29 mark kept a small flicker of hope alive as St. Kate's lead was slimmed down to 49-28. Klaustermeier was able to score off of an inbounds pass at the 6:49 mark but the Wildcats would soon extinguish that last flicker of hope that Crown was hanging on to. Lee snared an offensive rebound for a putback at the 6:35 mark and then a double dose from Jennings - a score in the paint at the 5:46 mark and another one after a steal that got her fouled in the process that allowed her to sink the obligatory freebie - upped the lead to 58-30. Audra Clark's lay-up in transition at the 5:25 mark gave St. Kate's a thirty-point cushion at 60-30 and a score in the paint by freshman reserve forward Alexis Christianson with 3:26 left had the 'Cats up 62-33. The Storm would make nicks and dents in St. Kate's big lead from the free throw line but could never find any burst that might give St. Kate's any reason to doubt. Schoeben connected with a jumper from the right elbow with 1:24 left and freshman reserve guard/forward Kelsey Olson finished off a dominating third period for the Wildcats with her two free throws for a 67-38 lead for the home team.
Olson would get the first two points for the Wildcats in the opening moments of the fourth period with her offensive rebound and putback at the 9:24 mark before Crown attempted yet another futile comeback attempt. Klaustermeier knocked down two shots from the charity stripe at the 9:05 mark and then struck again at the 8:44 mark with a lay-up in transition and was fouled in the process and the ensuing free throw trimmed the St. Kate's lead down to 69-43. Malone connected with a lay-up at the 7:52 mark and then Besa got a lay-up after a steal at the 7:46 mark. Free throws by Malone at the 7:26 mark further cut into the lead that made it a 71-49 ballgame but the young reserves that Pinkerton now had in the game for the 'Cats would answer. Freshman reserve forward Makenzie Mace snared an offensive rebound for a putback at the 6:33 mark and then junior reserve forward Maria Davis got back-to-back scores: an offensive rebound for a putback at the 6:06 mark and a lay-up in transition at the 5:39 mark. Olson drained a "3" from the right wing area with 4:30 left and then it was a double dose from Schoeben - a lay-up with 3:23 left and a jumper from the right top area with 2:37 left that made it 84-55. Schoeben got one more feather in her cap for the night when she drilled a "3" from the left wing area with 1:41 left and freebies by Olson with :40.6 left gave St. Kate's a big win in their season opener by a count of 89-58.
Pinkerton was quick to admit afterward that there still remains a ton of work to do to help get this team better; particularly on the defensive side. Still, I think there were a lot of positives from this night for the team to move forward on and even more encouraging that the young reserves got some quality minutes and were able to contribute. Audra Clark led all scorers with her 17 points and both Jennings and Holt had 14 points a piece. The 'Cats dominated the glass on this one by a 46-29 margin although they were guilty of 23 turnovers - something that will have to be improved once MIAC play rolls around. Klaustermeier's 13 points led the way for Crown while Malone added 10.
Both teams felt each other out in the opening minutes of the first period as the 'Cats and the Storm traded several one-point leads. Freshman guard Hannah Malone gave Crown a 2-1 lead at the 9:02 mark and the West Salem, Wisconsin native struck again at the 7:38 mark with a steal and lay-up the other way for a 4-3 Storm lead. Willowy junior forward Kennedy Jennings got the 'Cats back out in front 5-4 with her score in the paint at the 7:22 mark but St. Kate's Head Coach Sean Pinkerton shed his familiar sportcoat at the 6:45 mark as Crown was not willing to go away so quickly. Sophomore guard Jessica Klaustermeier connected with a lay-up ten seconds later and although scores from Jennings and senior guard Shauna Horsch had the Wildcats up by three at 9-6 at the 5:51 mark, the Storm tied things up at 9-all on a "3" from the right wing area by sophomore reserve guard Marissa Bacerra. But that would be the last "feel good" moment of the night for Crown as the 'Cats proceeded to go on a 16-1 run to wind up the first period. Flashy junior reserve guard LaShay Holt got the party started with a coast-to-coast lay-up with 4:44 left. Sophomore guard Audra Clark's lay-up with 4:20 left and a pretty drive and lay-up by Horsch with 3:31 left gave St. Kate's at 15-10 lead. Audra Clark again made her presence felt with 2:22 left when she snared a steal and dashed the other way for a lay-up - and got fouled in the process as well and the obligatory freebie pushed the lead to 18-10. Holt then put the finishing touches on the first period: a score in the paint with 1:46 left, a "3" from the top of the key with 1:22 left and a jumper from the left elbow with just :02 on the clock to make it a 25-10 ballgame and Crown was reeling when the buzzer sounded ending the first period.
The 'Cats were far from finished, however, once the second period got underway. Junior forward/post Mari Lee sunk two free throws at the 8:38 mark and then it was Holt with a long rebound and lay-up at the 7:57 mark. Audra Clark's lay-up in transition at the 7:36 mark expanded St. Kate's lead to 31-10 before the Storm finally stopped some of the bleeding at the 6:48 mark on junior reserve guard Charmaine Begay's jumper from the free throw line. But the Wildcats would get the lead back up to twenty-plus on Holt's offensive rebound and putback of her own miss at the 5:50 mark. A sweet move and drive and finish by Jennings that got her fouled in the process and allowed her to sink the obligatory freebie not only expanded the lead to 36-12 but also had St. Kate's in the bonus as well with 4:42 left; further complicating Crown's perilous situation. The Storm did get a bit of a break when sophomore reserve guard Marissa Becerra hit a long jumper from the left wing as the shot clock was expiring with 3:10 left but an aggressive St. Kate's defense never let the Storm get into any real offensive flow in the first half. Reserve junior guard/forward Alexis Garcia knocked down a jumper from the free throw line with 2:05 left and a three-point bomb from the left top area by junior reserve guard Annie Schoeben capped a big first half for the Wildcats as St. Kate's took a commanding 45-22 lead into the locker room at the half.
The Storm tried valiantly to make inroads on the huge deficit once the third period got underway. Free throws by junior post Sam Mauer at the 8:07 mark and Klaustermeier at the 7:42 mark along with a steal and lay-up the other way by diminutive sophomore guard Andrea Besa at the 7:29 mark kept a small flicker of hope alive as St. Kate's lead was slimmed down to 49-28. Klaustermeier was able to score off of an inbounds pass at the 6:49 mark but the Wildcats would soon extinguish that last flicker of hope that Crown was hanging on to. Lee snared an offensive rebound for a putback at the 6:35 mark and then a double dose from Jennings - a score in the paint at the 5:46 mark and another one after a steal that got her fouled in the process that allowed her to sink the obligatory freebie - upped the lead to 58-30. Audra Clark's lay-up in transition at the 5:25 mark gave St. Kate's a thirty-point cushion at 60-30 and a score in the paint by freshman reserve forward Alexis Christianson with 3:26 left had the 'Cats up 62-33. The Storm would make nicks and dents in St. Kate's big lead from the free throw line but could never find any burst that might give St. Kate's any reason to doubt. Schoeben connected with a jumper from the right elbow with 1:24 left and freshman reserve guard/forward Kelsey Olson finished off a dominating third period for the Wildcats with her two free throws for a 67-38 lead for the home team.
Olson would get the first two points for the Wildcats in the opening moments of the fourth period with her offensive rebound and putback at the 9:24 mark before Crown attempted yet another futile comeback attempt. Klaustermeier knocked down two shots from the charity stripe at the 9:05 mark and then struck again at the 8:44 mark with a lay-up in transition and was fouled in the process and the ensuing free throw trimmed the St. Kate's lead down to 69-43. Malone connected with a lay-up at the 7:52 mark and then Besa got a lay-up after a steal at the 7:46 mark. Free throws by Malone at the 7:26 mark further cut into the lead that made it a 71-49 ballgame but the young reserves that Pinkerton now had in the game for the 'Cats would answer. Freshman reserve forward Makenzie Mace snared an offensive rebound for a putback at the 6:33 mark and then junior reserve forward Maria Davis got back-to-back scores: an offensive rebound for a putback at the 6:06 mark and a lay-up in transition at the 5:39 mark. Olson drained a "3" from the right wing area with 4:30 left and then it was a double dose from Schoeben - a lay-up with 3:23 left and a jumper from the right top area with 2:37 left that made it 84-55. Schoeben got one more feather in her cap for the night when she drilled a "3" from the left wing area with 1:41 left and freebies by Olson with :40.6 left gave St. Kate's a big win in their season opener by a count of 89-58.
Pinkerton was quick to admit afterward that there still remains a ton of work to do to help get this team better; particularly on the defensive side. Still, I think there were a lot of positives from this night for the team to move forward on and even more encouraging that the young reserves got some quality minutes and were able to contribute. Audra Clark led all scorers with her 17 points and both Jennings and Holt had 14 points a piece. The 'Cats dominated the glass on this one by a 46-29 margin although they were guilty of 23 turnovers - something that will have to be improved once MIAC play rolls around. Klaustermeier's 13 points led the way for Crown while Malone added 10.
Tuesday, November 10, 2015
MIAC Predictions For 2015-16 Season
All right. Time to dust off that old crystal ball I have laying around and make my picks on what should be another fun and wildly unpredictable season of MIAC women's hoops. Here goes nothing:
The Title Contenders
1. Bethel
2. UST
This simply is the year that Bethel HAS to win it all. They either have to win it this year or they'll never win it. I say that when I look at this Bethel roster. They have every starter back from last year's team that made it to the MIAC Championship Game and received an at-large berth in the NCAA Tournament. Where do I start? They easily have the best post player in the conference in senior Rachel Parupsky and an equally-seasoned backcourt duo of seniors Hannah Niewald and Sydney "Bam Bam" Schultz. But wait, there's more. Junior forward Kalli Zimmerman is only getting better and better and junior guard Shanni Moorse came on strong down the stretch. And now added to the mix is sophomore forward Molly O'Toole who transferred from SMU. And Head Coach Jon Herbrechtsmeyer has also brought in a very talented freshmen class as well. This is a squad that knows how to play defense. It's all there for them. I would be VERY disappointed if they did not manage to make noise beyond the MIAC Championship Game this time around.
That said, I cannot completely discount the chances of UST. While this is going to be a very, very different squad without the likes of Maggie Weiers, Anna Smith, Jen Dockter, Elaine Warner, Alyssa (nothing vanilla) Favilla, Hannah Hughes, et al, it would be a mistake to count this team out. Senior guard Katie Stone now assumes the role of the "go to" player on this squad and she certainly has the necessary leadership capabilities. With a host of new faces on this year's team, it will be interesting to see how they come along. Certainly they won't be invincible as they have been the last couple of seasons but Head Coach Ruth Sinn is a master at making the most of a not so great situation and this would be the one team I would not want to face if my season were at stake in February.
Solid Playoff Contenders
3. GAC
4. Concordia
5. Augsburg
The Gusties are looking to make amends on the disappointing way their season ended last year and, by looking at this year's roster, they are certainly capable of doing that and then some. Simply put, this year's team is loaded with a lot of young talent. More importantly, I think that this young group will mesh nicely with the returning veterans. I think that sophomore Mikayla Miller has the ability to become the best point guard in the conference and senior forward Lindsey Johnson is one of the most versatile players in the MIAC with her ability to score from the perimeter as well as get into the paint for the hard-earned points. I think Head Coach Laurie Kelly has her squad primed to make that move back into the elite echelon where GAC belongs, IMHO. Personally, I think the Gusties have an outside shot at winning the title this year IF they get some breaks along the way that they haven't had the last few seasons.
Concordia is a team that just always seems to be in the mix under Head Coach Jessica Rahman and I expect that trend to continue this season as well. The Cobbers will have to find someone to replace Erin Januschka down low although, presumably anyway, her younger sister Jenna Januschka will be ready and willing to step in as a seasoned junior. Another huge void will be at the point guard spot vacated by Alley Fisher who was one of the top point guards in the conference last season. Senior Hannah Jeske is back as is fellow senior Olivia Johnson who can clean the glass so those two will certainly assume the leadership roles on the team but who steps up as the "go to" person?
Augsburg figures to have something to say about this whole thing as well as they have an interesting mix of new and returning players. Ted Riverso, who had some great years at UST before serving on Pam Borton's staff at Minnesota, assumes the head coaching reigns sadly vacated by the passing of Bill McKee this last summer. While the Auggies did lose Abbey Luger to graduation, they do return senior Jenna Orth; one of the best defenders in the conference along with senior post Jessica Lillquist and senior guard Ashley Anfinson. But the new additions are eye-openers: senior guard Maria Loughlin who transferred in from UM-Crookston and senior guard Allison McKee who transferred in from Bemidji State. You could easily make the case for flip-flopping Augsburg and Concordia at the fourth and fifth spots and I know some who will.
Fighting For That Sixth Spot
6. CSB
7. Carleton
8. St. Olaf
9. SMU
I give the nod to the Blazers this time around for snaring that coveted sixth spot. God only knows they have disappointed me before but I like the mix of the young and returning talent Head Coach Mike Durbin has this season. He certainly has some height this season in sophomore post Niki Fokken and fellow sophomore post Kate Banovetz. Junior guard Macy Kelly is now healthy and presumably should hit full stride once the season gets underway. Fellow junior guard Annie Dittberner is a player to keep your eye on as well. Still, a lot of question marks remain for this team. Can they be consistent? Can they avoid some of the scoring droughts they've suffered over the last few seasons? Who steps up as the leader of this team. When the refined product is revealed come January we should have answers to some of the questions.
Just by glancing at their roster, Carleton has to be the most intriguing team this year. Head Coach Cassie Kosiba certainly has the "numbers" but will those numbers lead to immediate results? That seems to be the big question surrounding the Knights this year anyway. While Carleton did lose Skylar Tsutsui to graduation, they do add sophomore Anne Hamilton who transferred in from Valparaiso University. Seniors Michele Arima and Gabbi Stienstra are back as well.
Crosstown rival St. Olaf features an interesting roster as well headlined by senior three-point specialist Afton Wolter and junior Betsey Daly. The big question for the Oles is who replaces departed Nikki Frogner at the post? Another nagging question for the Oles: Can they ever find a way to be consistent?
SMU looked to be sitting in a very good position at the end of last season before Mandy Pearson was lured to the Twin Ports by UM-Duluth. Replacing her is new Head Coach Brent Pollari who comes from Minnesota State-Mankato. Pollari certainly doesn't have a bare cupboard as senior guard Bridget Pethke returns fully healthy off of the nasty ACL injury she suffered last year and backing her up is equally capable junior Emma Schaefer who shined brightly in the MIAC Quarterfinal Playoff win over GAC. Newcomer freshman Brandi Blattner out of Dover-Eyota will be another young player to keep your eyes on. The big question here is how well and how quickly do the Cardinals adapt to a new system. This squad is not terribly big in size either and this could very well be another team that finds itself on the outside looking in once the regular season is done.
Bringing Up The Rear
10. St. Kate's
11. Hamline
12. Macalester
St. Kate's is just one of those teams you can never take for granted. True, they had that nine-game swoon after the first of the year last season but came on strong at the end. They have an exciting mix of talent in players such as junior LaShay Holt, senior sharpshooting guard Shauna Horsch, willowy junior forward Kennedy Jennings, and the twin sister duo of Audra and Meg Clark in the backcourt. Junior forward/post Mari Lee is developing into a very solid player as well. They took GAC to overtime in arguably one of the best games in the MIAC last year and gave eventual Elite Eight participant UST fits during their regular-season clashes and knocked off NCAA Tournament participant Bethel at home. For the 'Cats, it really all boils down to consistency and staying healthy. Don't be surprised if they pull off a shocker or two this year.
Hamline has the unenviable task of replacing all-world Jordan Sammons and it's likely going to be like starting all over again learning to play without her on the court. The Pipers do return junior guard Chloe Graves and fellow junior guard Chelsey Bonsante along with senior Emily Behrman. But it will almost certainly be an uphill battle for Head Coach Kerri Stockwell and her squad this season.
Macalester and Head Coach Kelly Roysland will be looking to improve on last year's 3-22 season and, despite their record, this is never a team you want to take lightly. They may not have the most dynamic roster in the conference but at the same time, this is a team that does not beat itself. Senior guards Erin Murray and Katelyn Kack handle the backcourt duties and junior forward Park Masterson can be a factor down low. Sometimes it's a matter of baby steps but the Scots have to take this thing one game at a time.
The Title Contenders
1. Bethel
2. UST
This simply is the year that Bethel HAS to win it all. They either have to win it this year or they'll never win it. I say that when I look at this Bethel roster. They have every starter back from last year's team that made it to the MIAC Championship Game and received an at-large berth in the NCAA Tournament. Where do I start? They easily have the best post player in the conference in senior Rachel Parupsky and an equally-seasoned backcourt duo of seniors Hannah Niewald and Sydney "Bam Bam" Schultz. But wait, there's more. Junior forward Kalli Zimmerman is only getting better and better and junior guard Shanni Moorse came on strong down the stretch. And now added to the mix is sophomore forward Molly O'Toole who transferred from SMU. And Head Coach Jon Herbrechtsmeyer has also brought in a very talented freshmen class as well. This is a squad that knows how to play defense. It's all there for them. I would be VERY disappointed if they did not manage to make noise beyond the MIAC Championship Game this time around.
That said, I cannot completely discount the chances of UST. While this is going to be a very, very different squad without the likes of Maggie Weiers, Anna Smith, Jen Dockter, Elaine Warner, Alyssa (nothing vanilla) Favilla, Hannah Hughes, et al, it would be a mistake to count this team out. Senior guard Katie Stone now assumes the role of the "go to" player on this squad and she certainly has the necessary leadership capabilities. With a host of new faces on this year's team, it will be interesting to see how they come along. Certainly they won't be invincible as they have been the last couple of seasons but Head Coach Ruth Sinn is a master at making the most of a not so great situation and this would be the one team I would not want to face if my season were at stake in February.
Solid Playoff Contenders
3. GAC
4. Concordia
5. Augsburg
The Gusties are looking to make amends on the disappointing way their season ended last year and, by looking at this year's roster, they are certainly capable of doing that and then some. Simply put, this year's team is loaded with a lot of young talent. More importantly, I think that this young group will mesh nicely with the returning veterans. I think that sophomore Mikayla Miller has the ability to become the best point guard in the conference and senior forward Lindsey Johnson is one of the most versatile players in the MIAC with her ability to score from the perimeter as well as get into the paint for the hard-earned points. I think Head Coach Laurie Kelly has her squad primed to make that move back into the elite echelon where GAC belongs, IMHO. Personally, I think the Gusties have an outside shot at winning the title this year IF they get some breaks along the way that they haven't had the last few seasons.
Concordia is a team that just always seems to be in the mix under Head Coach Jessica Rahman and I expect that trend to continue this season as well. The Cobbers will have to find someone to replace Erin Januschka down low although, presumably anyway, her younger sister Jenna Januschka will be ready and willing to step in as a seasoned junior. Another huge void will be at the point guard spot vacated by Alley Fisher who was one of the top point guards in the conference last season. Senior Hannah Jeske is back as is fellow senior Olivia Johnson who can clean the glass so those two will certainly assume the leadership roles on the team but who steps up as the "go to" person?
Augsburg figures to have something to say about this whole thing as well as they have an interesting mix of new and returning players. Ted Riverso, who had some great years at UST before serving on Pam Borton's staff at Minnesota, assumes the head coaching reigns sadly vacated by the passing of Bill McKee this last summer. While the Auggies did lose Abbey Luger to graduation, they do return senior Jenna Orth; one of the best defenders in the conference along with senior post Jessica Lillquist and senior guard Ashley Anfinson. But the new additions are eye-openers: senior guard Maria Loughlin who transferred in from UM-Crookston and senior guard Allison McKee who transferred in from Bemidji State. You could easily make the case for flip-flopping Augsburg and Concordia at the fourth and fifth spots and I know some who will.
Fighting For That Sixth Spot
6. CSB
7. Carleton
8. St. Olaf
9. SMU
I give the nod to the Blazers this time around for snaring that coveted sixth spot. God only knows they have disappointed me before but I like the mix of the young and returning talent Head Coach Mike Durbin has this season. He certainly has some height this season in sophomore post Niki Fokken and fellow sophomore post Kate Banovetz. Junior guard Macy Kelly is now healthy and presumably should hit full stride once the season gets underway. Fellow junior guard Annie Dittberner is a player to keep your eye on as well. Still, a lot of question marks remain for this team. Can they be consistent? Can they avoid some of the scoring droughts they've suffered over the last few seasons? Who steps up as the leader of this team. When the refined product is revealed come January we should have answers to some of the questions.
Just by glancing at their roster, Carleton has to be the most intriguing team this year. Head Coach Cassie Kosiba certainly has the "numbers" but will those numbers lead to immediate results? That seems to be the big question surrounding the Knights this year anyway. While Carleton did lose Skylar Tsutsui to graduation, they do add sophomore Anne Hamilton who transferred in from Valparaiso University. Seniors Michele Arima and Gabbi Stienstra are back as well.
Crosstown rival St. Olaf features an interesting roster as well headlined by senior three-point specialist Afton Wolter and junior Betsey Daly. The big question for the Oles is who replaces departed Nikki Frogner at the post? Another nagging question for the Oles: Can they ever find a way to be consistent?
SMU looked to be sitting in a very good position at the end of last season before Mandy Pearson was lured to the Twin Ports by UM-Duluth. Replacing her is new Head Coach Brent Pollari who comes from Minnesota State-Mankato. Pollari certainly doesn't have a bare cupboard as senior guard Bridget Pethke returns fully healthy off of the nasty ACL injury she suffered last year and backing her up is equally capable junior Emma Schaefer who shined brightly in the MIAC Quarterfinal Playoff win over GAC. Newcomer freshman Brandi Blattner out of Dover-Eyota will be another young player to keep your eyes on. The big question here is how well and how quickly do the Cardinals adapt to a new system. This squad is not terribly big in size either and this could very well be another team that finds itself on the outside looking in once the regular season is done.
Bringing Up The Rear
10. St. Kate's
11. Hamline
12. Macalester
St. Kate's is just one of those teams you can never take for granted. True, they had that nine-game swoon after the first of the year last season but came on strong at the end. They have an exciting mix of talent in players such as junior LaShay Holt, senior sharpshooting guard Shauna Horsch, willowy junior forward Kennedy Jennings, and the twin sister duo of Audra and Meg Clark in the backcourt. Junior forward/post Mari Lee is developing into a very solid player as well. They took GAC to overtime in arguably one of the best games in the MIAC last year and gave eventual Elite Eight participant UST fits during their regular-season clashes and knocked off NCAA Tournament participant Bethel at home. For the 'Cats, it really all boils down to consistency and staying healthy. Don't be surprised if they pull off a shocker or two this year.
Hamline has the unenviable task of replacing all-world Jordan Sammons and it's likely going to be like starting all over again learning to play without her on the court. The Pipers do return junior guard Chloe Graves and fellow junior guard Chelsey Bonsante along with senior Emily Behrman. But it will almost certainly be an uphill battle for Head Coach Kerri Stockwell and her squad this season.
Macalester and Head Coach Kelly Roysland will be looking to improve on last year's 3-22 season and, despite their record, this is never a team you want to take lightly. They may not have the most dynamic roster in the conference but at the same time, this is a team that does not beat itself. Senior guards Erin Murray and Katelyn Kack handle the backcourt duties and junior forward Park Masterson can be a factor down low. Sometimes it's a matter of baby steps but the Scots have to take this thing one game at a time.
Monday, November 9, 2015
CSB vs Northwestern Scrimmage 11-6-15
Made my way on I-694 over to Roseville and the University of Northwestern campus to take in this intriguing Friday night scrimmage pitting visiting CSB against host Northwestern. This would be my first look at the Blazers in this brand new season who are looking for big things after enduring two straight disappointing 12-13 seasons. While I got a close-up view of the Eagles last week Friday at their practice, I was also anxious to see them in an actual game situation to see how all the moving parts worked.
In the first ten-minute scrimmage, Northwestern showed off its 2-3 match-up zone that Head Coach Aaron Kahl steadfastly believes in from the get-go but that didn't seem to faze the Blazers in the opening act. With 9:05 left, junior guard Annie Dittberner drilled a "3" from the right corner for a 3-0 CSB lead. The Eagles were able to reduce the deficit down to one in the early going when sophomore guard Amy Berglund; who sat out last year with an injury, connected with a lay-up in transition with 8:30 left. But CSB was able to go right back to work. Sophomore forward/post Chelsey Guetter got fouled down low with 7:52 left and was able to sink one of two freebies. With 7:41 left, Guetter again was in the paint trying to score where she was fouled again. She was able to sink the first free throw for a 5-2 Blazer advantage but the second one rimmed out. But there to rebound for CSB was sophomore post Kate Banovetz who was able to make the most of the situation and got a putback with 7:35 left for a 7-2 Blazer lead. To their credit, however, Northwestern was able to battle right back and make things tight the rest of the way. Senior forward/post Regan Cooper got into the paint for a score with 7:20 left and then junior sharpshooting guard Tiffany Stubbs drained a "3" from the top of the key with 6:35 left that suddenly knotted things at seven a piece. The Eagles grabbed their first lead of the evening shortly thereafter when Berglund connected with a jumper along the left baseline with 5:55 left. Northwestern was able to increase the lead to three points at 14-11 when Stubbs hit another "3" with 1:57 left but CSB soon responded. Sophomore guard Morgan Merritt knocked down a "3" of her own from the left wing area that tied the game at 14-all. The Eagles took one last lead in this one at 16-14 on a score with 1:30 left but Dittberner found the range again from behind the arc in that right corner area with just :10 left and the final tally I had for this first scrimmage was 17-16 CSB.
In the second ten-minute scrimmage, the Eagles were able to turn the table and get the best of the Blazers as they bolted out to an 11-2 advantage. Stubbs' jumper along the left baseline with 9:45 left and Berglund's jumper from the right corner with 8:15 left made it 4-0 Northwestern and then it was Stubbs' "3" from the left top area with 7:29 left that made it 7-2 Eagles. Cooper's score in the paint with 5:29 left and then junior Emily VanLith snared an offensive rebound for a putback with 4:43 left for that 11-2 lead. CSB stopped the bleeding momentarily on a steal and lay-up the other way by freshman Grace Wolhowe but junior Rachel Hart's jumper along the left baseline with 2:54 left and Berglund's jumper from the top of the key just inside the arc with 2:32 left along with two more Cooper scores - a short jumper in the lane with 2:02 left and an offensive rebound and putback of a miss with 1:05 left - stretched the lead to 19-4. Guetter was able to connect on a drive and finish with :24 left but Northwestern won this second scrimmage handily by a 19-6 count.
Northwestern Head Coach threw a bit of a wrinkle in the third scrimmage as he had his team divert from its normal 2-3 match-up zone into a rare man-to-man showing. CSB did jump out to an early 4-0 lead on two scores by lanky 6'3" sophomore post Niki Fokken - a score in the paint with 9:24 left and a jumper along the left baseline with 8:01 left. The Eagles would soon right the ship, however, as a score in the paint by by sophomore post Jesse Rademacher and a Berglund lay-up knotted things up at 4-all. One Rademacher freebie with 5:11 left and a Stubbs "3" from the left wing with 4:35 left made it 8-4 Northwestern and the Eagles completed the 10-0 run on a Cooper lay-up with 3:29 left. Fokken got the Blazers on the board again with her score in the paint with 3:09 left but then Northwestern went on an 8-0 burst. VanLith connected with a jumper from the right wing with 2:13 left and then the Eagles did more damage from three-point land. Stubbs drained yet another one from the left wing with 1:44 left and then sophomore guard Andrea Zimpel drilled one from the right wing area with 1:01 left that sealed the deal for an 18-6 advantage. Wolhowe did get a "3" to go down with :31 left that cut the deficit back into single-digit range for the Blazers and Banovetz' score in the paint with :14 left drew CSB closer but a pair of free throws by senior guard Kim Campbell made the final count in this one 20-11 in favor of Northwestern.
In the fourth scrimmage, Campbell, who had been relatively quiet in the first three scrimmages, made her presence felt early on as the former Bloomington Kennedy standout connected with a lay-up in transition with 9:09 left and then connected with another lay-up with 8:07 left as the shot clock was expiring for a 4-0 Eagle lead. Dittberner got CSB on the board with her "3" from the left wing with 7:21 left but then Stubbs was able to answer for Northwestern with her three-point bomb from the right wing with 7:04 left. The three-point fest continued as willowy Blazer junior guard Alison Newton found the range from the left top area that cut the Eagle lead down to 7-6 with 6:24 left. Dittberner gave CSB an 8-7 lead with her lay-up after a Northwestern turnover with 4:21 left but a Campbell "3" from the right wing with 3:43 gave the Eagles the lead back at 10-8 and a score in the paint by sophomore guard Jessica Cole upped the advantage to 12-8. A Merritt "3" from the right top area with 1:28 left got the Blazers close again trailing 12-11 but an offensive rebound and putback by Rademacher with :34 left provided insurance as Northwestern won the fourth scrimmage by a 14-11 count.
After the Blazers and Eagles did a couple of one-minute scrimmages simulating last-second scenarios, both teams did one more ten-minute scrimmage with the newbies taking center stage that featured running time as well to speed things along. Scoring in this one came at a premium early on as gaffes and numerous turnovers were the order of the evening in the nightcap. Freshman guard Courtney Nelson got CSB a 3-0 lead on her trey from the right wing with 6:48 left and, after a short shot by freshman forward Megan Schroeder with 4:54 left, Nelson found the range again from the left corner with 4:31 left for an 8-0 Blazer advantage. The lead would increase to 13-0 on a lay-up in transition by freshman forward Breanna Gates with 4:11 left and a score in the paint by Banovetz with 3:27 left along with one Banovetz freebie with 2:04 left. Freshman guard Sarah Thilenius' score in the paint with :29 left along with an offensive rebound and putback by Gates with just :00.4 left gave CSB a 17-1 win in this one.
Afterward, CSB Head Coach Mike Durbin didn't hesitate to point out his team's shortcomings on this evening. He quickly pointed out that the squad didn't rotate well enough on defense which led to several easy scoring opportunities for the Eagles. But I got the feeling from talking with him that his squad is slowly coming along and that he has the tools to compete for a playoff spot in the ultra-tough MIAC. I personally think that they do as well but they've got to avoid some of the scoring droughts that have plagued them at times over the last couple of seasons.
In the first ten-minute scrimmage, Northwestern showed off its 2-3 match-up zone that Head Coach Aaron Kahl steadfastly believes in from the get-go but that didn't seem to faze the Blazers in the opening act. With 9:05 left, junior guard Annie Dittberner drilled a "3" from the right corner for a 3-0 CSB lead. The Eagles were able to reduce the deficit down to one in the early going when sophomore guard Amy Berglund; who sat out last year with an injury, connected with a lay-up in transition with 8:30 left. But CSB was able to go right back to work. Sophomore forward/post Chelsey Guetter got fouled down low with 7:52 left and was able to sink one of two freebies. With 7:41 left, Guetter again was in the paint trying to score where she was fouled again. She was able to sink the first free throw for a 5-2 Blazer advantage but the second one rimmed out. But there to rebound for CSB was sophomore post Kate Banovetz who was able to make the most of the situation and got a putback with 7:35 left for a 7-2 Blazer lead. To their credit, however, Northwestern was able to battle right back and make things tight the rest of the way. Senior forward/post Regan Cooper got into the paint for a score with 7:20 left and then junior sharpshooting guard Tiffany Stubbs drained a "3" from the top of the key with 6:35 left that suddenly knotted things at seven a piece. The Eagles grabbed their first lead of the evening shortly thereafter when Berglund connected with a jumper along the left baseline with 5:55 left. Northwestern was able to increase the lead to three points at 14-11 when Stubbs hit another "3" with 1:57 left but CSB soon responded. Sophomore guard Morgan Merritt knocked down a "3" of her own from the left wing area that tied the game at 14-all. The Eagles took one last lead in this one at 16-14 on a score with 1:30 left but Dittberner found the range again from behind the arc in that right corner area with just :10 left and the final tally I had for this first scrimmage was 17-16 CSB.
In the second ten-minute scrimmage, the Eagles were able to turn the table and get the best of the Blazers as they bolted out to an 11-2 advantage. Stubbs' jumper along the left baseline with 9:45 left and Berglund's jumper from the right corner with 8:15 left made it 4-0 Northwestern and then it was Stubbs' "3" from the left top area with 7:29 left that made it 7-2 Eagles. Cooper's score in the paint with 5:29 left and then junior Emily VanLith snared an offensive rebound for a putback with 4:43 left for that 11-2 lead. CSB stopped the bleeding momentarily on a steal and lay-up the other way by freshman Grace Wolhowe but junior Rachel Hart's jumper along the left baseline with 2:54 left and Berglund's jumper from the top of the key just inside the arc with 2:32 left along with two more Cooper scores - a short jumper in the lane with 2:02 left and an offensive rebound and putback of a miss with 1:05 left - stretched the lead to 19-4. Guetter was able to connect on a drive and finish with :24 left but Northwestern won this second scrimmage handily by a 19-6 count.
Northwestern Head Coach threw a bit of a wrinkle in the third scrimmage as he had his team divert from its normal 2-3 match-up zone into a rare man-to-man showing. CSB did jump out to an early 4-0 lead on two scores by lanky 6'3" sophomore post Niki Fokken - a score in the paint with 9:24 left and a jumper along the left baseline with 8:01 left. The Eagles would soon right the ship, however, as a score in the paint by by sophomore post Jesse Rademacher and a Berglund lay-up knotted things up at 4-all. One Rademacher freebie with 5:11 left and a Stubbs "3" from the left wing with 4:35 left made it 8-4 Northwestern and the Eagles completed the 10-0 run on a Cooper lay-up with 3:29 left. Fokken got the Blazers on the board again with her score in the paint with 3:09 left but then Northwestern went on an 8-0 burst. VanLith connected with a jumper from the right wing with 2:13 left and then the Eagles did more damage from three-point land. Stubbs drained yet another one from the left wing with 1:44 left and then sophomore guard Andrea Zimpel drilled one from the right wing area with 1:01 left that sealed the deal for an 18-6 advantage. Wolhowe did get a "3" to go down with :31 left that cut the deficit back into single-digit range for the Blazers and Banovetz' score in the paint with :14 left drew CSB closer but a pair of free throws by senior guard Kim Campbell made the final count in this one 20-11 in favor of Northwestern.
In the fourth scrimmage, Campbell, who had been relatively quiet in the first three scrimmages, made her presence felt early on as the former Bloomington Kennedy standout connected with a lay-up in transition with 9:09 left and then connected with another lay-up with 8:07 left as the shot clock was expiring for a 4-0 Eagle lead. Dittberner got CSB on the board with her "3" from the left wing with 7:21 left but then Stubbs was able to answer for Northwestern with her three-point bomb from the right wing with 7:04 left. The three-point fest continued as willowy Blazer junior guard Alison Newton found the range from the left top area that cut the Eagle lead down to 7-6 with 6:24 left. Dittberner gave CSB an 8-7 lead with her lay-up after a Northwestern turnover with 4:21 left but a Campbell "3" from the right wing with 3:43 gave the Eagles the lead back at 10-8 and a score in the paint by sophomore guard Jessica Cole upped the advantage to 12-8. A Merritt "3" from the right top area with 1:28 left got the Blazers close again trailing 12-11 but an offensive rebound and putback by Rademacher with :34 left provided insurance as Northwestern won the fourth scrimmage by a 14-11 count.
After the Blazers and Eagles did a couple of one-minute scrimmages simulating last-second scenarios, both teams did one more ten-minute scrimmage with the newbies taking center stage that featured running time as well to speed things along. Scoring in this one came at a premium early on as gaffes and numerous turnovers were the order of the evening in the nightcap. Freshman guard Courtney Nelson got CSB a 3-0 lead on her trey from the right wing with 6:48 left and, after a short shot by freshman forward Megan Schroeder with 4:54 left, Nelson found the range again from the left corner with 4:31 left for an 8-0 Blazer advantage. The lead would increase to 13-0 on a lay-up in transition by freshman forward Breanna Gates with 4:11 left and a score in the paint by Banovetz with 3:27 left along with one Banovetz freebie with 2:04 left. Freshman guard Sarah Thilenius' score in the paint with :29 left along with an offensive rebound and putback by Gates with just :00.4 left gave CSB a 17-1 win in this one.
Afterward, CSB Head Coach Mike Durbin didn't hesitate to point out his team's shortcomings on this evening. He quickly pointed out that the squad didn't rotate well enough on defense which led to several easy scoring opportunities for the Eagles. But I got the feeling from talking with him that his squad is slowly coming along and that he has the tools to compete for a playoff spot in the ultra-tough MIAC. I personally think that they do as well but they've got to avoid some of the scoring droughts that have plagued them at times over the last couple of seasons.
Thursday, November 5, 2015
Bethany Lutheran vs Augsburg Scrimmage 11-4-15
Made the trek over to Augsburg's Si Melby Hall on this Wednesday night to get another look at the Auggies after last week's scrimmage with Anoka-Ramsey. On this night Augsburg would be taking on another relatively unfamiliar opponent - Bethany Lutheran out of the UMAC. The Vikings are coming into this season with a lot to prove given the fact that they have been picked to finish sixth in their conference in the preseason coaches poll. Unfortunately on this night, the Bethany Lutheran team was not wearing any numerals on their practice jerseys so despite having a 2015-16 roster I was left kind of helpless not knowing the team very well.
In the first ten-minute scrimmage, both teams opened up in man-to-man defense but it would be Augsburg who would make the necessary adjustments to get off to a great start. Senior guard Ashley Anfinson's "3" from the right corner with 8:59 left and a jumper by senior guard Maria Loughlin had the Auggies up 5-0 with 7:50 left. Bethany Lutheran looked out of sorts early in this one as mistakes and turnovers helped fuel the Auggie fire. Anfinson connected with another "3" from the right wing with 7:27 left and a lay-up in transition after a Viking turnover by freshman guard Alaina Quaranta made it a 10-0 game and Bethany Lutheran Head Coach Lyle Jones had seen enough to know that a timeout was warranted. But Augsburg was able to push the lead to as much as 15-2 on a score in the paint by freshman forward Megan Quam with 4:36 left and a pretty jumper along the left baseline by Loughlin with 3:27 left before the Vikings finally got untracked. A steal and lay-up in transition with 2:46 left and a "3" from the left top area with 1:27 left helped trim the Auggie lead down to 15-8. Augsburg would get the lead to 17-8 on a lay-up in transition by junior guard Erin Bolden with 1:07 left before the Vikings got their last points of this first scrimmage with :18 left that left the finally tally at 17-10 Augsburg.
If the first scrimmage was bad for Bethany Lutheran, the second one was even worse. An offensive rebound and putback by freshman forward/post Carlee Kobow with 9:08 left and a Loughlin "3" from the top of the key with 8:23 left gave the Auggies a quick 5-0 advantage and Jones; sensing doom for his squad again, called a quick timeout to try and halt the tide. But the Auggies were far from finished with this onslaught. Loughline made the cotton sing yet another pretty tune with her "3" from the right top area with 7:09 left and Anfinson connected with her third trey of the night - a bomb from the left wing area with 6:42 left for an 11-0 Augsburg lead. Sophomore forward Hannah Steinhaus got a lay-up in transition with 5:07 left and still another Loughlin "3" - this one from the left top area with 4:27 left - made it a 16-0 game. Senior post Bridget Kopp got into the act as well: a one-handed shot off the glass with 3:35 left and a score in the paint with 2:11 left bloated the score to 20-0 before the Vikings finally found some signs of life late. A short jumper with 1:50 left and an offensive rebound and putback made it 21-4 and a "3" from the left top area with :28.3 left left the final tally at Augsburg 21 Bethany Lutheran 7.
As much as the Auggies dominated the first two scrimmage sessions, the third scrimmage was a 180-degree turnaround as Bethany Lutheran was able to establish a 9-0 lead with 4:53 left thanks to a handful of errors and turnovers by Augsburg that led to at least four transition opportunities for the Vikings. A Bolden "3" from the right top area with 4:39 left momentarily stopped the bleeding but the Auggies seemed strangely out of sorts and the errors and turnovers started piling up as the Vikings reeled off three straight easy lay-ups in transition that had to have Augsburg Head Coach Ted Riverso fuming. Two late Bethany Lutheran freebies had me tallying the final count at 17-3 in favor of the Vikings.
In the fourth scrimmage, the Auggies were able to right the ship and do an encore of the first and second scrimmage session. Two Quam free throws with 9:17 left along with two Bolden scores - a "3" from the right top area with 8:46 left and a short jumper from the left side had Augsburg up 7-0. Kopp was able to knock down a jumper from the right elbow with 7:11 left and then Quam slithered inside for a score with 5:16 left for an 11-0 game. Bethany Lutheran, as they had in the first two scrimmage sessions, was having numerous problems trying to work the ball inside which often led to costly turnovers. One turnover forced by Quaranta led to an easy lay-up the other way by the Eau Claire, Wisconsin native with 5:02 left and with 4:15 left, Kobow used her long frame to get a score in the paint for a 15-0 Auggie advantage before Bethany Lutheran finally settled down. A short jumper from the left wing area with 3:25 left along with a lay-up in transition made it 15-4 and a score in the paint with 2:08 left got the Vikings back to within single digits trailing 15-6. But another Kobow score down low with 1:52 left along with another one by Quam with 1:18 left had Augsburg winning the nightcap by a count of 19-8.
For the most part, I thought the Auggies looked much sharper on offense than they did a week ago despite the fact that they still don't have everybody back yet. Senior guard Jenna Orth is still in the process of recovering from concussion-like symptoms and senior guard Marie Fitzgerald will finally be returning after helping the Augsburg women's soccer team with a very successful season. Senior forward/post Jessica Lillquist will certainly bolster the Auggie front court when she is back in action as well. Riverso, not wanting to give away the candy store, grudgingly admitted that his team looked better although he himself knows there is still room for significant improvement.
In the first ten-minute scrimmage, both teams opened up in man-to-man defense but it would be Augsburg who would make the necessary adjustments to get off to a great start. Senior guard Ashley Anfinson's "3" from the right corner with 8:59 left and a jumper by senior guard Maria Loughlin had the Auggies up 5-0 with 7:50 left. Bethany Lutheran looked out of sorts early in this one as mistakes and turnovers helped fuel the Auggie fire. Anfinson connected with another "3" from the right wing with 7:27 left and a lay-up in transition after a Viking turnover by freshman guard Alaina Quaranta made it a 10-0 game and Bethany Lutheran Head Coach Lyle Jones had seen enough to know that a timeout was warranted. But Augsburg was able to push the lead to as much as 15-2 on a score in the paint by freshman forward Megan Quam with 4:36 left and a pretty jumper along the left baseline by Loughlin with 3:27 left before the Vikings finally got untracked. A steal and lay-up in transition with 2:46 left and a "3" from the left top area with 1:27 left helped trim the Auggie lead down to 15-8. Augsburg would get the lead to 17-8 on a lay-up in transition by junior guard Erin Bolden with 1:07 left before the Vikings got their last points of this first scrimmage with :18 left that left the finally tally at 17-10 Augsburg.
If the first scrimmage was bad for Bethany Lutheran, the second one was even worse. An offensive rebound and putback by freshman forward/post Carlee Kobow with 9:08 left and a Loughlin "3" from the top of the key with 8:23 left gave the Auggies a quick 5-0 advantage and Jones; sensing doom for his squad again, called a quick timeout to try and halt the tide. But the Auggies were far from finished with this onslaught. Loughline made the cotton sing yet another pretty tune with her "3" from the right top area with 7:09 left and Anfinson connected with her third trey of the night - a bomb from the left wing area with 6:42 left for an 11-0 Augsburg lead. Sophomore forward Hannah Steinhaus got a lay-up in transition with 5:07 left and still another Loughlin "3" - this one from the left top area with 4:27 left - made it a 16-0 game. Senior post Bridget Kopp got into the act as well: a one-handed shot off the glass with 3:35 left and a score in the paint with 2:11 left bloated the score to 20-0 before the Vikings finally found some signs of life late. A short jumper with 1:50 left and an offensive rebound and putback made it 21-4 and a "3" from the left top area with :28.3 left left the final tally at Augsburg 21 Bethany Lutheran 7.
As much as the Auggies dominated the first two scrimmage sessions, the third scrimmage was a 180-degree turnaround as Bethany Lutheran was able to establish a 9-0 lead with 4:53 left thanks to a handful of errors and turnovers by Augsburg that led to at least four transition opportunities for the Vikings. A Bolden "3" from the right top area with 4:39 left momentarily stopped the bleeding but the Auggies seemed strangely out of sorts and the errors and turnovers started piling up as the Vikings reeled off three straight easy lay-ups in transition that had to have Augsburg Head Coach Ted Riverso fuming. Two late Bethany Lutheran freebies had me tallying the final count at 17-3 in favor of the Vikings.
In the fourth scrimmage, the Auggies were able to right the ship and do an encore of the first and second scrimmage session. Two Quam free throws with 9:17 left along with two Bolden scores - a "3" from the right top area with 8:46 left and a short jumper from the left side had Augsburg up 7-0. Kopp was able to knock down a jumper from the right elbow with 7:11 left and then Quam slithered inside for a score with 5:16 left for an 11-0 game. Bethany Lutheran, as they had in the first two scrimmage sessions, was having numerous problems trying to work the ball inside which often led to costly turnovers. One turnover forced by Quaranta led to an easy lay-up the other way by the Eau Claire, Wisconsin native with 5:02 left and with 4:15 left, Kobow used her long frame to get a score in the paint for a 15-0 Auggie advantage before Bethany Lutheran finally settled down. A short jumper from the left wing area with 3:25 left along with a lay-up in transition made it 15-4 and a score in the paint with 2:08 left got the Vikings back to within single digits trailing 15-6. But another Kobow score down low with 1:52 left along with another one by Quam with 1:18 left had Augsburg winning the nightcap by a count of 19-8.
For the most part, I thought the Auggies looked much sharper on offense than they did a week ago despite the fact that they still don't have everybody back yet. Senior guard Jenna Orth is still in the process of recovering from concussion-like symptoms and senior guard Marie Fitzgerald will finally be returning after helping the Augsburg women's soccer team with a very successful season. Senior forward/post Jessica Lillquist will certainly bolster the Auggie front court when she is back in action as well. Riverso, not wanting to give away the candy store, grudgingly admitted that his team looked better although he himself knows there is still room for significant improvement.
Tuesday, November 3, 2015
Northwestern Practice 10-30-15
Drove over to Roseville on Friday afternoon to take in Northwestern's late afternoon/early evening practice. I got to Ericksen Center shortly after 4:30 and was greeted by a very hospitable Head Coach Aaron Kahl and we discussed his squad and his hopes and expectations for the upcoming season.
After the team works on various warm-up and stretching exercises, the first order of the day for the team is working on short jump shots from near the "elbow" and on lay-ups that stress both accuracy and consistency as it's those small things that often count in critical moments in a close game. Another important early drill that Kahl has his squad do is what Kahl terms as "star passing"; i.e., where the team is in four small groups near center court and they work on various passes to each other. At first glance, it may not seem like that big of a deal but it's definitely harder than what it looks like and accurate and precise passing is crucial if the team is to be successful.
The next drill is an interesting one that is called "4 minute lay-ups" whereby two players are at each free throw line and then you have a line of players on each end of the floor. The players at the free throw line feed the players from the baseline who run down in transition and finish with a lay-up. But the drill that follows, "4 trips in :32" is really tough. Here, you have three players working together in a full-court drill where the goal is to make four successful trips up and down the court and finishing with a lay-up without making a mistake. It's definitely a challenging drill and considering the fact that you've got the clock working against you makes it even more difficult. But it's these types of drill that helps make Kahl's teams as successful as they are during the season.
The next drill has players starting out in a 5-on-0 "shell drill" down the court where they finish with passing and a lay-up but, on the trip back down, these five players are met by five defenders where they then battle it out in the half-court. Here, Kahl is stressing defense and it gives the squad a great opportunity to work on that 2-3 zone that Kahl is a strong believer in.
Then comes the 5-on-5 full-court work and here's where you really see the intensity and desire that this squad has. There is great chemistry and teamwork and a lot of encouragement for each other on this team and that's one of the big reasons why Northwestern has been as successful as they've been over the last few seasons. They are very close-knit and are really one big family. Finally, to wrap up the day, Kahl has his team work on some more short shots and some three-point shooting as well and finish the night up with the "big shot" whereby players take their chances with a half-court Hail Mary heave. It's a low-percentage shot to be sure but inevitably there are times when teams find themselves in those desperate situations and it doesn't hurt to practice it even if it's just for fun.
Outtakes: This is a relatively young team that features three seniors, five juniors and a handful of sophomores and freshmen. They do have senior forward/post Regan Cooper back but they do not have a lot of size. Jacki Smith, who used her lanky 6'2" frame to swat away shots last year has graduated and now is a volunteer assistant coach. What they do lack in size, however, is largely made up for with their athleticism and speed and the ability to hit the "3" and senior forward Kim Campbell along with junior guard Tiffany Stubbs appear to be the premier three-point threats for the Eagles. Junior forward Emily VanLith is a versatile player who can rebound and hit those tough shots in the paint and junior reserve post Rachel Hart figures to be counted on heavily for the tough work down low. So while the starting five appear to be solid and there are some good parts coming off the bench as well, the big question for Kahl then becomes how quickly can he develop his younger players......The entry of UW-Superior into the UMAC for the 2015-16 season drastically changes the mix as the Yellowjackets figure to be the favorites in their inaugural season in the conference. UM-Morris should once again be in the mix despite having some key graduation losses to a squad that won the UMAC Championship game and played in the NCAA Tournament.
After the team works on various warm-up and stretching exercises, the first order of the day for the team is working on short jump shots from near the "elbow" and on lay-ups that stress both accuracy and consistency as it's those small things that often count in critical moments in a close game. Another important early drill that Kahl has his squad do is what Kahl terms as "star passing"; i.e., where the team is in four small groups near center court and they work on various passes to each other. At first glance, it may not seem like that big of a deal but it's definitely harder than what it looks like and accurate and precise passing is crucial if the team is to be successful.
The next drill is an interesting one that is called "4 minute lay-ups" whereby two players are at each free throw line and then you have a line of players on each end of the floor. The players at the free throw line feed the players from the baseline who run down in transition and finish with a lay-up. But the drill that follows, "4 trips in :32" is really tough. Here, you have three players working together in a full-court drill where the goal is to make four successful trips up and down the court and finishing with a lay-up without making a mistake. It's definitely a challenging drill and considering the fact that you've got the clock working against you makes it even more difficult. But it's these types of drill that helps make Kahl's teams as successful as they are during the season.
The next drill has players starting out in a 5-on-0 "shell drill" down the court where they finish with passing and a lay-up but, on the trip back down, these five players are met by five defenders where they then battle it out in the half-court. Here, Kahl is stressing defense and it gives the squad a great opportunity to work on that 2-3 zone that Kahl is a strong believer in.
Then comes the 5-on-5 full-court work and here's where you really see the intensity and desire that this squad has. There is great chemistry and teamwork and a lot of encouragement for each other on this team and that's one of the big reasons why Northwestern has been as successful as they've been over the last few seasons. They are very close-knit and are really one big family. Finally, to wrap up the day, Kahl has his team work on some more short shots and some three-point shooting as well and finish the night up with the "big shot" whereby players take their chances with a half-court Hail Mary heave. It's a low-percentage shot to be sure but inevitably there are times when teams find themselves in those desperate situations and it doesn't hurt to practice it even if it's just for fun.
Outtakes: This is a relatively young team that features three seniors, five juniors and a handful of sophomores and freshmen. They do have senior forward/post Regan Cooper back but they do not have a lot of size. Jacki Smith, who used her lanky 6'2" frame to swat away shots last year has graduated and now is a volunteer assistant coach. What they do lack in size, however, is largely made up for with their athleticism and speed and the ability to hit the "3" and senior forward Kim Campbell along with junior guard Tiffany Stubbs appear to be the premier three-point threats for the Eagles. Junior forward Emily VanLith is a versatile player who can rebound and hit those tough shots in the paint and junior reserve post Rachel Hart figures to be counted on heavily for the tough work down low. So while the starting five appear to be solid and there are some good parts coming off the bench as well, the big question for Kahl then becomes how quickly can he develop his younger players......The entry of UW-Superior into the UMAC for the 2015-16 season drastically changes the mix as the Yellowjackets figure to be the favorites in their inaugural season in the conference. UM-Morris should once again be in the mix despite having some key graduation losses to a squad that won the UMAC Championship game and played in the NCAA Tournament.
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