Was at the Minnesota Girls State Tournament at both Target Center and William Arena to take in as much action as I could for all four days. On Wednesday (3-16) I was at Target Center and did color commentary with my good buddy Jon Sands for Grand Stadium TV for the opening round of Class AAAA games. On the next day (Thursday 3-17) I found myself in the same capacity but this time over at Williams Arena for the opening round of Class A games. On both Friday I was back at Target Center and then Saturday A.M. I was at Concordia St. Paul to do color commentary for the consolation games of both Class A and Class AA and was back at Target Center by afternoon to take in most of the championship game action. Here is a recap of how I saw things transpire.
Class A - Maranatha Christian Academy was the winner here as this is a team that made some great strides as the season progressed. Was so impressed with this team as they are not only young and fun to watch but they have such a great diversity of players as well. They do have lanky sophomore Onye Osemenam in the middle but the players who really caught my attention were sophomore Abby Torgerson and junior Josie Taggatz-Ott who hold down the backcourt spots. Torgerson has the tenacity and hustle of a bulldog and Taggatz-Ott is a lights out shooter. This team is augmented by a crop of 7th, 8th, and freshman players who all gained valuable experience this season. Don't be surprised if they're back fighting for another title this next year. But the one player who stole the limelight for me in the whole Class A tournament was Northern Freeze senior Liza Hoglo. In their opening round game vs Mountain Iron-Buhl, Northern Freeze found themselves down midway through the second half and all looked lost but Hoglo almost single-handedly brought her team back in an absolutely amazing performance in which she injured her ankle in the process - and still came back to do some more damage. Even though they fell short of ultimate victory on this day, Hoglo was the player of the tournament, IMHO.
Class AA - Braham behind the efforts of the Dahlman Sisters (Rebekah and Hannah) and senior PG Liz Anderson made amends for last year's disappointment and turned the tables on Minnehaha Academy for the title. But the real soul-tugger clash in Class AA was the rematch between Braham and Providence Academy in the semifinals on Friday night. Braham had beaten Providence Academy back in the early part of the year at the Hopkins Breakdown tournament on a buzzer beater by Austyn Eng and the Lions wanted revenge badly. But Braham prevailed in a very physical contest that left the Lions of Providence Academy heartbroken. To add injury to insult, Providence Academy lost the very next morning in the consolation final (in a game I helped cover) on a buzzer beater by Sauk Centre's Kali Peschel in overtime.
Class AAA - DeLaSalle prevailed over Hill-Murray for the championship in what proved to be yet another heartbreaking end for the Pioneers led by Bethany Doolittle and Tessa Cichy. This was a match-up of two teams that have had their share of heartaches in state championship finals over the last few years and this time it was DeLaSalle's turn to prevail. Head coach Faith Johnson Patterson helped guide the Islanders to the top; enduring a roller-coaster season of injuries and off-court issues as well.
Class AAAA - As expected Hopkins took the top prize here; knocking off up-and-coming challenger Eden Prairie. Tied at 22 at the half, the Royals broke open a tight game and cruised to yet another championship. Brianna Williams was spectacular at times and the Coffey Sisters garnered some spotlight as well. The Eagles do have both Jackie Johnson and Shayne Mullaney back for next year but it will be interesting to see how head coach Chris Carr develops his bench. For me the big disappointment was Maple Grove's opening round loss to last year's runner-up White Bear Lake. While the Crimson appeared to have the edge at halftime, they simply went stone-cold in the second half from the perimeter and there was nothing Stephanie Davison or Ellen Edison could do to stem the tide of the White Bear Lake squad. Last year's champion Lakeville North ended the Cinderall story run of upstart Anoka but got hammered in the semifinals by Eden Prairie.
Los Angeles Rams
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Monday, May 30, 2011
Maple Grove vs Osseo 3-11-11 Section 5 AAAA Final
The nightcap at Anoka High School on this Friday night was the much anticipated clash between Northwest Suburban neighbors and bitter rivals Maple Grove and Osseo. The two teams had split their two regular season conference battles; each team winning on the other's court. So this would indeed would be one you would not want to miss. Especially intriguing on this evening was that Brianna Olson, the point guard for the '07 and '08 Osseo teams that made it to state (the '08 section title coming at this same venue vs Centennial) was in attendance to cheer on her high school and especially younger sister Paige who was holding down the same point guard spot that big 'sis held just a few years ago.
Osseo would control the early going in this one although it never could build up a sizable lead. Although Oriole sophomore sensation Phillis Webb would put on a dazzling display early on, Maple Grove kept it close; not because of expected senior leaders like Anna Gerdes, Ellen Edison, and Stephanie Davison but rather in the unexpected form of unheralded senior Stephanie Pappas who nailed a "3" at the 13:52 mark that brought the Crimson to within one of the Orioles. Gerdes did give Maple Grove its first lead of 9-8 and Davison expanded that lead to 11-8 with her jumper off the glass at the 11:42 mark. Osseo would eventually get even and again grab a small lead coming down the stretch. But Pappas again stuck a dagger into the Orioles when she drained another "3" at the 2:05 mark that cut the Osseo lead down to 23-22. The intensity of this game was quite apparent as both teams were really bringing it and it was no surprise at all that both teams went into the locker room at the half tied at 25.
But while Maple Grove was able to convert from behind the arc on this night, Osseo struggled somewhat in the first half and those struggles with perimeter shooting only got worse as the second half got underway. The Crimson were able to build a 32-27 lead by the 14:05 mark and expanded that lead to as many as seven points when sophomore Madison Ordner sunk two freebies at the charity stripe at the 10:18 mark. Then Davison swished a "3" at the 9:02 mark that ballooned Maple Grove's lead to 42-33 and Osseo was in some trouble. But the Orioles regrouped and went on a 7-0 run and got to within two points of Maple Grove by the 7:18 mark. Here, perhaps, was the key moment of the game as the Orioles LOOKED like they were about to take control again and perhaps Maple Grove might wilt under the pressure. But this experienced Maple Grove group led by the trio of seniors it has simply refused to let that happen. And Pappas and Ordner were the unlikely heroines on this night for the Crimson as they were able to stay the course and get just enough cushion coming down the stretch that put them in control. Osseo junior sensation Mikayla Bailey had a difficult time getting untracked from a scoring standpoint on this night and, to compound matters, Webb fouled out when the Orioles needed her magic the most. Although Oriole senior Kayla Westling nailed a "3" with just :39 remaining on the clock, Osseo was still down two possessions and had no choice but to foul in order to get the ball back. Maple Grove converted those chances at the free throw line and the Crimson took the final prize in the Section 5 group; winning 63-55 and ending a fabulous Osseo season.
Osseo would control the early going in this one although it never could build up a sizable lead. Although Oriole sophomore sensation Phillis Webb would put on a dazzling display early on, Maple Grove kept it close; not because of expected senior leaders like Anna Gerdes, Ellen Edison, and Stephanie Davison but rather in the unexpected form of unheralded senior Stephanie Pappas who nailed a "3" at the 13:52 mark that brought the Crimson to within one of the Orioles. Gerdes did give Maple Grove its first lead of 9-8 and Davison expanded that lead to 11-8 with her jumper off the glass at the 11:42 mark. Osseo would eventually get even and again grab a small lead coming down the stretch. But Pappas again stuck a dagger into the Orioles when she drained another "3" at the 2:05 mark that cut the Osseo lead down to 23-22. The intensity of this game was quite apparent as both teams were really bringing it and it was no surprise at all that both teams went into the locker room at the half tied at 25.
But while Maple Grove was able to convert from behind the arc on this night, Osseo struggled somewhat in the first half and those struggles with perimeter shooting only got worse as the second half got underway. The Crimson were able to build a 32-27 lead by the 14:05 mark and expanded that lead to as many as seven points when sophomore Madison Ordner sunk two freebies at the charity stripe at the 10:18 mark. Then Davison swished a "3" at the 9:02 mark that ballooned Maple Grove's lead to 42-33 and Osseo was in some trouble. But the Orioles regrouped and went on a 7-0 run and got to within two points of Maple Grove by the 7:18 mark. Here, perhaps, was the key moment of the game as the Orioles LOOKED like they were about to take control again and perhaps Maple Grove might wilt under the pressure. But this experienced Maple Grove group led by the trio of seniors it has simply refused to let that happen. And Pappas and Ordner were the unlikely heroines on this night for the Crimson as they were able to stay the course and get just enough cushion coming down the stretch that put them in control. Osseo junior sensation Mikayla Bailey had a difficult time getting untracked from a scoring standpoint on this night and, to compound matters, Webb fouled out when the Orioles needed her magic the most. Although Oriole senior Kayla Westling nailed a "3" with just :39 remaining on the clock, Osseo was still down two possessions and had no choice but to foul in order to get the ball back. Maple Grove converted those chances at the free throw line and the Crimson took the final prize in the Section 5 group; winning 63-55 and ending a fabulous Osseo season.
Park Center vs De LaSalle 3-11-11 Section 3 Class AAA Final
Was up at Anoka High School on this Friday evening - this time with cell phone and everything else I needed - for the two games on tap for this night. The first one being between Park Center of the Northwest Suburban Conference which plays at least one game at this venue during the season anyway and perennial powerhouse De LaSalle under head coach Faith Patterson-Johnson who is no stranger to this type of setting with her earlier successes at Minneapolis North.
Park Center would hang close in this one early on as junior Megan Van Hulzen nailed a "3" from the right wing at the 17:12 mark to get things started but the talented DeLaSalle squad methodically gained control of this one with their athleticism and speed. Sophomore Allina Starr and junior Mariah Adanene as well as sophomore Tyseanna Johnson were standouts in this one for the Islanders. But the real story of this game was 8th grader Hannah Schaub who simply stole the limelight as she was simply fantastic in all facets of the game. Even though DeLaSalle was clearly in control of this one from the 13:00 minute mark of the first half, it was Hannah Schaub who showed that she's clearly a player to keep your eye on in the years to come. She was instrumental in trimming a twenty point deficit down to a 13 point margin late in the game and although De LaSalle was able to get out of Dodge with a 67-54 win and earn a coveted State Tournament berth, it was Park Center's 8th grader who showed why her Pirate team will be a factor in the Northwest Suburban Conference - and the Section 3 flight as well in the years to come.
Park Center would hang close in this one early on as junior Megan Van Hulzen nailed a "3" from the right wing at the 17:12 mark to get things started but the talented DeLaSalle squad methodically gained control of this one with their athleticism and speed. Sophomore Allina Starr and junior Mariah Adanene as well as sophomore Tyseanna Johnson were standouts in this one for the Islanders. But the real story of this game was 8th grader Hannah Schaub who simply stole the limelight as she was simply fantastic in all facets of the game. Even though DeLaSalle was clearly in control of this one from the 13:00 minute mark of the first half, it was Hannah Schaub who showed that she's clearly a player to keep your eye on in the years to come. She was instrumental in trimming a twenty point deficit down to a 13 point margin late in the game and although De LaSalle was able to get out of Dodge with a 67-54 win and earn a coveted State Tournament berth, it was Park Center's 8th grader who showed why her Pirate team will be a factor in the Northwest Suburban Conference - and the Section 3 flight as well in the years to come.
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.
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.
Bloomington Kennedy vs Eden Prairie Section 2 Class 4AAAA Semifinal
Was at Hopkins High School on this Saturday evening to catch the two Section 2, Class 4AAAA semifinal games; the first one that pitted Bloomington Kennedy against powerhouse Eden Prairie. Actually, I would have been here for the tip-off easily but, because I unwittingly managed to leave my phone at home, I had to run back to my place and get it and didn't get back to Hopkins and get settled in until the 3:42 mark of the first half where Eden Prairie had managed to grab a 21-11 lead; a ten point margin they would hold going into the locker room at halftime up 25-15.
Actually, Bloomington Kennedy had an excellent shot at trimming the deficit to single digits before the break but costly turnovers killed those chances. And this is a very young Bloomington Kennedy team as well; a far cry from the glory days of Jenna Smith, Tasha Mrosak, Heather MacPhie, Tara Steinbauer, et al when this program had the city on its ear during their section and state tournament runs. And not that Eden Prairie was playing that much better either but was able to recover from its slump quickly and take firm control of this one. Junior post Jackie Johnson showed her versatility at the 16:16 mark when she nailed a "3" from the right top and then also scored inside a minute later. Senior captain Morgan Van Riper-Rose also had a stellar second half as well as Eden Prairie opened up a twenty point cushion by the 12:49 mark and expanded on that as well. Junior Shayne Mullaney and senior Aubrey Davis made their contributions felt as Eden Prairie won handily 57-33. Perhaps the neatest moment of the game came when Bloomington Kennedy got a basket before the buzzer by seldom-used senior Shamara Duwearatchi; a nice way to cap off her high school career.
Actually, Bloomington Kennedy had an excellent shot at trimming the deficit to single digits before the break but costly turnovers killed those chances. And this is a very young Bloomington Kennedy team as well; a far cry from the glory days of Jenna Smith, Tasha Mrosak, Heather MacPhie, Tara Steinbauer, et al when this program had the city on its ear during their section and state tournament runs. And not that Eden Prairie was playing that much better either but was able to recover from its slump quickly and take firm control of this one. Junior post Jackie Johnson showed her versatility at the 16:16 mark when she nailed a "3" from the right top and then also scored inside a minute later. Senior captain Morgan Van Riper-Rose also had a stellar second half as well as Eden Prairie opened up a twenty point cushion by the 12:49 mark and expanded on that as well. Junior Shayne Mullaney and senior Aubrey Davis made their contributions felt as Eden Prairie won handily 57-33. Perhaps the neatest moment of the game came when Bloomington Kennedy got a basket before the buzzer by seldom-used senior Shamara Duwearatchi; a nice way to cap off her high school career.
Minnesota West vs Anoka-Ramsey Regional Title Game
Was out at Anoka-Ramsey on this Friday evening for the Regional Title game between host Anoka-Ramsey and its closest challenger, Minnesota West. Anoka-Ramsey had won the conference tournament up in TR Falls the previous weekend so this was the final hurdle for them in their quest in getting back to Nationals down in Rochester.
This one stayed fairly even for the first ten minutes or so; in fact, Minnesota West actually grabbed the lead at 5-3 when sophomore LoRel Christensen banged home a "3" from the right wing at the 15:13 mark and they were able to expand that lead to 11-6 when fellow sophomore Sam Lynn knocked down a free throw at the 12:42 mark. But Anoka-Ramsey did not stay in the doldrums for long in this one. Freshman Tamarra Shorter's "3" at the 11:10 mark tied things up at 13-all at the 11:10 mark and the host team took the lead for good shortly afterward and was able to go into the locker room at halftime up 40-22 when freshman Jayme Hill sank a "3" before the buzzer. Anoka-Ramsey would control this game in the second half; maintaing that 15-20 point cushion throughout enroute to a 68-54 win and a berth in the National Tournament - an event that they would go on to win as well and claim yet another National Championship for the program.
This one stayed fairly even for the first ten minutes or so; in fact, Minnesota West actually grabbed the lead at 5-3 when sophomore LoRel Christensen banged home a "3" from the right wing at the 15:13 mark and they were able to expand that lead to 11-6 when fellow sophomore Sam Lynn knocked down a free throw at the 12:42 mark. But Anoka-Ramsey did not stay in the doldrums for long in this one. Freshman Tamarra Shorter's "3" at the 11:10 mark tied things up at 13-all at the 11:10 mark and the host team took the lead for good shortly afterward and was able to go into the locker room at halftime up 40-22 when freshman Jayme Hill sank a "3" before the buzzer. Anoka-Ramsey would control this game in the second half; maintaing that 15-20 point cushion throughout enroute to a 68-54 win and a berth in the National Tournament - an event that they would go on to win as well and claim yet another National Championship for the program.
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Irondale vs Maple Grove Section 5AAAA Quarterfinal
Was at Maple Grove High School on this early March night to take in one of the opening round games of the Section 5 Class AAAA tourney; this one between host Maple Grove and visiting Irondale. Maple Grove, of course, one of the top teams in the section and the defending champion of the Section 5 group that included an appearance at the State Tournament last season and upstart Irondale, trying to take that next step.
This game actually started out pretty close and, despite some three-point bombs by standouts Ellen Edison and Stephanie Davison early on, Irondale hung tough. I was eventually joined by Bethel assistant coach Dwight Nelson about midway through the first half and that's when Maple Grove started to put some distance between themselves and their opponent as they gradually widened the gap anywhere between seven and ten points and kept it in the double digit margin when Davison drained a "3" from the top of the key with just a minute and a half left before the intermission that allowed the home team to go into the locker room with a cozy 34-20 lead.
Irondale refused to throw in the towel and did manage to scrap their way back into things early on in the second half. Sophomore Stephanie Meyer unexpectedly knocked down a "3" off the glass and then senior big gun Megan Wojchik scored twice and fellow senior Nia Hall put in a bucket at the 15:36 mark to cut the Maple Grove lead to 36-30. But this senior-laden Maple Grove squad responded with authority thanks to both Edison and Stephanie Davison who, along with fellow senior Anna Gerdes, are the unquestioned leaders on this team. They quickly got the lead back up to double digits less than a minute later and got it to thirteen points when Edison drained yet another "3" from the top of the key at the 14:09 mark. A bit later, Stephanie Davison swished a "3" from the left corner to push the lead to sixteen points and Maple Grove was on its way to opening up a twenty point lead that Irondale simply was unable to recover from. There was an anxious moment at the 2:55 mark when Gerdes, who suffered from a multitude of injuries over the course of the season, went down when her (already) injured ankle went out on her again. Still, Maple Grove cruised to an easy 74-55 victory on this night.
This game actually started out pretty close and, despite some three-point bombs by standouts Ellen Edison and Stephanie Davison early on, Irondale hung tough. I was eventually joined by Bethel assistant coach Dwight Nelson about midway through the first half and that's when Maple Grove started to put some distance between themselves and their opponent as they gradually widened the gap anywhere between seven and ten points and kept it in the double digit margin when Davison drained a "3" from the top of the key with just a minute and a half left before the intermission that allowed the home team to go into the locker room with a cozy 34-20 lead.
Irondale refused to throw in the towel and did manage to scrap their way back into things early on in the second half. Sophomore Stephanie Meyer unexpectedly knocked down a "3" off the glass and then senior big gun Megan Wojchik scored twice and fellow senior Nia Hall put in a bucket at the 15:36 mark to cut the Maple Grove lead to 36-30. But this senior-laden Maple Grove squad responded with authority thanks to both Edison and Stephanie Davison who, along with fellow senior Anna Gerdes, are the unquestioned leaders on this team. They quickly got the lead back up to double digits less than a minute later and got it to thirteen points when Edison drained yet another "3" from the top of the key at the 14:09 mark. A bit later, Stephanie Davison swished a "3" from the left corner to push the lead to sixteen points and Maple Grove was on its way to opening up a twenty point lead that Irondale simply was unable to recover from. There was an anxious moment at the 2:55 mark when Gerdes, who suffered from a multitude of injuries over the course of the season, went down when her (already) injured ankle went out on her again. Still, Maple Grove cruised to an easy 74-55 victory on this night.
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Concordia vs UST MIAC Championship Game 2-26-11
I found myself on this championship Saturday (not unexpectedly) back at Schoenecker Arena at the Anderson Athletic Complex on the campus of St. Thomas for the 2011 MIAC Championship Game between the host Tommies of UST ( the #1 seed) and the visiting Cobbers from Concordia (the #2 seed). Both squads had survived tough semi-final matchups at home against GAC and CSB, respectively, so the seedings had worked themselves out again. And even though the Tommies had home-court advantage in this clash, I just liked how this Concordia team had been playing since the first of the year and how they seemed to play together so well. Remember, Concordia had come down to St. Paul almost a month ago and knocked off the Tommies so that had to give them a shot of confidence coming into this game.
If so, it certainly showed early. Lanky 6'4" freshman post Alexandra Lippert, who has slowly been working out the chinks in her game, made her presence known early on as she not only scored inside at the 19:37 mark to get the Corn on the board first but also thwarted two Tommie possesions early on as she swatted away two shots early on as well. Then senior PG Erica Nord, one of the unquestioned leaders on the team, knocked down a "3" from the top of the key at the 17:36 mark and then a bit later senior wing Brittany Jossart swished a "3" from the left corner and quickly the maroon-clad Cobbers had laid a 8-0 hurt on the host Tommies that forced UST coach Ruth Sinn to burn a timeout in an effort to calm her team down and get the ship righted. But Concordia, as experienced as they are, refused to let go of the choke-hold they had on the Tommies and were able to build a ten point lead at the 13:20 mark after another Lippert score. Slowly, the Tommies were able to work themselves back into the game. Senior forward Jazmin Townsend who can put the fear of God into opponents with her defensive prowess scored at the 13:05 mark and then freshman sensation Taylor Young connected with a short jumper at the 12:25 mark to cut the Concordia lead to 14-8.
But the Cobbers would not break or bend and quickly built the lead back up to double digits. Nord canned two shots from the charity stripe at the 11:10 mark and then finished a transition opportunity with a lay-up at the 10:56 mark for a 20-8 Concordia lead. The Tommies would make a small push again that got a quick response from the determined Cobbers. Nord, playing perhaps one of the best games of her college career, snared the ball away from a Tommie and finished in transition at the 6:33 mark and Lippert scored inside again against a suddenly porous Tommie defense that got the lead back up to double digits. The Cobbers would enjoy this advantage and control the tempo as well coming down the stretch of the first half. The Cobber lead bulged to as many as 15 points when senior guard Lindsey Schultz canned one free throw at the 1:20 mark. UST would be able to make another mini-run very late thanks to Young's "3" from the top of the key and Townsend's short jumper to at least get the deficit back a somewhat more manageable 33-25 count at intermission but clearly Concordia was in control of this game and the Tommies would have to come out early in the second half to make a statement if they wanted to hang around in this one.
Lippert got the Cobber lead back up to ten points at the 18:55 mark when she scored off the glass but the Tommies finally were able to kick it into gear somewhat after they almost certainly got a dose of head coach Ruth Sinn's displeasure in the locker room during halftime. Young connected with a "3" at the 18:39 mark and then the MIAC's three-point Queen, Ali Johnson, did what she does best as she swished a "3" from the top of the key at the 17:46 mark and suddenly UST had cut the Concordia lead down to a scant four points at 35-31 and had grabbed some much-needed momentum - and new life - as well. Shortly afterward, junior PG Carolyn Dienhart scored on a lay-up and then Young hit a lay-up and was fouled as well by Cobber senior Maggie Bauernfeind. Young's subsequent free throw cut the Cobber lead down to 37-36 at the 16:00 mark. Is this where the Cobbers would finally wilt under pressure?
Uh uh. Reserve guard Emily Thesing calmly nailed a "3" of her own at the 15:22 mark to push the lead back up to four and despite UST hanging tough behind Young and senior post Rachel Booth scores, Concordia would slowly and surely regain control of this one. After Schultz made two charity stripe shots at the 11:42 mark, both Jossart and Bauernfeind would cash in from the same spot as well that got the Cobber lead back to 47-40. After UST was able to cut into that margin a bit, it was time for Jossart to stick a dagger in the hopes of Tommie fans as she scored inside at the 9:26 mark and repeated that same feat at the 8:43 mark tht pushed the lead to 51-43 in favor of the Corn. Then Nord hit one of her patented three-pointers at the 8:21 mark that got the lead to 54-43 and UST quickly found themselves back in the same hole they had been in for most of the first half.
The Cobbers, smelling blood, added to the carnage they were wreaking on the wilting Tommies. Nord connected with a "3" from the left corner at the 3:53 mark and then Schultz (who doesn't hardly even jump when she shoots) connected with a jumper at the 3:13 mark and, just like that, the Cobbers were up 61-48 and had the host Tommies on the ropes. From that point on, UST knew they had to foul to get the ball back and Concordia made them pay from the charity stripe. Both Townsend and Johnson hit meaningless "3's" in the waning seconds but Concordia had come out on top in this one, 71-61 and claimed their first MIAC Championship game in five years.
If so, it certainly showed early. Lanky 6'4" freshman post Alexandra Lippert, who has slowly been working out the chinks in her game, made her presence known early on as she not only scored inside at the 19:37 mark to get the Corn on the board first but also thwarted two Tommie possesions early on as she swatted away two shots early on as well. Then senior PG Erica Nord, one of the unquestioned leaders on the team, knocked down a "3" from the top of the key at the 17:36 mark and then a bit later senior wing Brittany Jossart swished a "3" from the left corner and quickly the maroon-clad Cobbers had laid a 8-0 hurt on the host Tommies that forced UST coach Ruth Sinn to burn a timeout in an effort to calm her team down and get the ship righted. But Concordia, as experienced as they are, refused to let go of the choke-hold they had on the Tommies and were able to build a ten point lead at the 13:20 mark after another Lippert score. Slowly, the Tommies were able to work themselves back into the game. Senior forward Jazmin Townsend who can put the fear of God into opponents with her defensive prowess scored at the 13:05 mark and then freshman sensation Taylor Young connected with a short jumper at the 12:25 mark to cut the Concordia lead to 14-8.
But the Cobbers would not break or bend and quickly built the lead back up to double digits. Nord canned two shots from the charity stripe at the 11:10 mark and then finished a transition opportunity with a lay-up at the 10:56 mark for a 20-8 Concordia lead. The Tommies would make a small push again that got a quick response from the determined Cobbers. Nord, playing perhaps one of the best games of her college career, snared the ball away from a Tommie and finished in transition at the 6:33 mark and Lippert scored inside again against a suddenly porous Tommie defense that got the lead back up to double digits. The Cobbers would enjoy this advantage and control the tempo as well coming down the stretch of the first half. The Cobber lead bulged to as many as 15 points when senior guard Lindsey Schultz canned one free throw at the 1:20 mark. UST would be able to make another mini-run very late thanks to Young's "3" from the top of the key and Townsend's short jumper to at least get the deficit back a somewhat more manageable 33-25 count at intermission but clearly Concordia was in control of this game and the Tommies would have to come out early in the second half to make a statement if they wanted to hang around in this one.
Lippert got the Cobber lead back up to ten points at the 18:55 mark when she scored off the glass but the Tommies finally were able to kick it into gear somewhat after they almost certainly got a dose of head coach Ruth Sinn's displeasure in the locker room during halftime. Young connected with a "3" at the 18:39 mark and then the MIAC's three-point Queen, Ali Johnson, did what she does best as she swished a "3" from the top of the key at the 17:46 mark and suddenly UST had cut the Concordia lead down to a scant four points at 35-31 and had grabbed some much-needed momentum - and new life - as well. Shortly afterward, junior PG Carolyn Dienhart scored on a lay-up and then Young hit a lay-up and was fouled as well by Cobber senior Maggie Bauernfeind. Young's subsequent free throw cut the Cobber lead down to 37-36 at the 16:00 mark. Is this where the Cobbers would finally wilt under pressure?
Uh uh. Reserve guard Emily Thesing calmly nailed a "3" of her own at the 15:22 mark to push the lead back up to four and despite UST hanging tough behind Young and senior post Rachel Booth scores, Concordia would slowly and surely regain control of this one. After Schultz made two charity stripe shots at the 11:42 mark, both Jossart and Bauernfeind would cash in from the same spot as well that got the Cobber lead back to 47-40. After UST was able to cut into that margin a bit, it was time for Jossart to stick a dagger in the hopes of Tommie fans as she scored inside at the 9:26 mark and repeated that same feat at the 8:43 mark tht pushed the lead to 51-43 in favor of the Corn. Then Nord hit one of her patented three-pointers at the 8:21 mark that got the lead to 54-43 and UST quickly found themselves back in the same hole they had been in for most of the first half.
The Cobbers, smelling blood, added to the carnage they were wreaking on the wilting Tommies. Nord connected with a "3" from the left corner at the 3:53 mark and then Schultz (who doesn't hardly even jump when she shoots) connected with a jumper at the 3:13 mark and, just like that, the Cobbers were up 61-48 and had the host Tommies on the ropes. From that point on, UST knew they had to foul to get the ball back and Concordia made them pay from the charity stripe. Both Townsend and Johnson hit meaningless "3's" in the waning seconds but Concordia had come out on top in this one, 71-61 and claimed their first MIAC Championship game in five years.
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