Found myself back up in Coon Rapids on this late Sunday afternoon to take in the Region 13A Championship Game between Minnesota West and host Anoka-Ramsey. While the Golden Rams have been in this situation seemingly every year, they would have to be ready to play today as they split their regular season series with the Blue Jays; winning at home and getting dough-popped by Minnesota West out at Worthington. For whatever reason, you could just feel that this one would be special and I would not be disappointed in the end.
The Golden Rams came out firing on all cylinders after the tip-off as they bolted to a quick 6-0 lead behind a "3" from sophomore Kelli Schramm from the right wing at the 19:23 mark and a "3" from freshman Nicole Schaub from the left wing at the 18:51 mark. But it didn't take long for Anoka-Ramsey Head Coach David DeWitt to blow his stack as he called a time-out at the 17:05 mark to vent on his team. He must have got their attention as the Golden Rams increased their lead to 11-4 thanks to a "3" from freshman Tasha Ambrose from the left wing at the 16:24 mark and a jumper by Schramm along the left baseline at the 15:55 mark. The Blue Jays would manage to close the gap somewhat thanks to a "3" from freshman Tiffany Gehl from the left wing at the 15:39 mark and a score in the paint by sophomore post Katey Granstra that cut the Anoka-Ramsey lead down to 11-9 by the 12:59 mark.
But the Rams would then proceed to go on an 11-4 burst that was highlighted by a "3" from diminutive freshman Kendra Norman from the left wing at the 12:13 mark; a rainbow-like "3" from Schaub from the left corner with 8:58 left and a "3" by Ambrose from the left corner with 8:07 left that made it a 23-13 game in favor of Anoka-Ramsey and had Minnesota West Head Coach Mike Fury calling for a timeout to try and stem the tide. The Golden Rams would extend the margin slightly to 28-16 with 6:16 left on another "3" by a red-hot Ambrose from the right corner before Minnesota West could begin to make serious inroads on the Anoka-Ramsey advantage. Freshman guard Maria Eichenberger nailed a "3" from the top of the key with 5:03 left and after Gehl knocked down two free throws after being fouled at the 4:51 mark, she got behind the usually-stout Golden Ram defense for a breakaway lay-up in transition with 4:17 left that not only cut the Anoka-Ramsey lead down to 32-25 but also caused DeWitt to explode and call another time-out for an opportunity to unleash his fury on his squad.
But the fireworks were just beginning in this one. The Blue Jays cut the deficit down to a scant single point after a lay-up by Gehl where she drew the foul and made the obligatory freebie with 3:11 left and a score inside by Gehl with 2:34 left plus a short shot off the glass by freshman Lindsey Drooger with 1:56 left. Trailing 35-31 with a little over a minute left, Gehl was feeling it and she took off on another foray into the heart of the Anoka-Ramsey defense with full-bore intent on getting another lay-up. Standing in her way, however, was Golden Ram freshman post Paris Finklea; her feet planted and both arms up. On the drive, Gehl inadvertently found Finklea's elbow with her nose and promptly crumpled to the floor and lost the ball in the process. She tried to get up but by this time her nose was bleeding profusely and the officials blew their whistles and a very upset Fury came out with his towel to help Gehl stop the bleeding. Assistant Coach Rosalie Hayenga-Hostikka made no attempts to disguise her anger as she slammed her clipboard to the floor. The action was halted for almost ten minutes as the floor was wiped down in various spots where blood may have spilled. Finally, action was resumed and the Golden Rams took a slim 37-31 lead into the locker room at the half but the tone had been set for the rest of this one.
The Golden Rams started the second half in almost the same exact fashion as they had started the first as Norman knocked down a "3" from the left wing at the 19:30 mark and Schramm snared a steal and got a lay-up the other way that once again extended the lead into double-digit region at 42-31 and had Fury calling a quick thirty-second timeout to get his team re-organized. Anoka-Ramsey would maintain that cushion until the 16:12 mark when the Blue Jays made another push. Drooger uncorked a "3" from the left top area and Hulstein knocked down two freebies after being fouled at the 14:12 mark. After withstanding a "3" by Anoka-Ramsey sophomore Cami Bauer, Hulstein again got into the paint for a score at the 13:44 mark and Drooger connected with another "3" from the left top area at the 11:34 mark that cut the lead down to 51-45 and seemingly had Minnesota West right back in the thick of things. But there were also danger signs for the Blue Jays as well. Hulstein picked up her fourth foul by the 12:50 mark and with a bench that consisted of only two players, that spelled almost certain doom for this Minnesota West team. And, to make matters worse, more fireworks went off at the 11:17 mark when the officials caught Hayenga-Hostikka slamming that clipboard down on the floor again after an alleged no-call and promptly slapped her with a technical foul.
This was also turning into a very physical contest as well as Minnesota West was very intent on trying to drive into the heart of the Golden Ram defense to try and draw fouls that might also open things up on the perimeter for them as well. The Blue Jays managed to cut the deficit down to 54-51 after a lay-up by Gehl (who had changed into a different uniform number at halftime) at the 9:01 mark and kept withing that margin when Gehl connected on a drive inside and finish that drew the foul as well and allowed her to sink the obligatory freebie in the process. But the Blue Jays could not get any closer in this one despite their valiant effort. By this time, Hulstein had fouled out and Minnesota West lost a valuable player who could do a lot of damage in the paint. And Anoka-Ramsey played with a heart of a champion down the stretch that allowed them to extend their small cushion and put the Blue Jays behind the 8-ball. And the player who shined for the Golden Rams in this critical home stretch was none other than sophomore Tacita Gonzalez who displayed exceptional ball-handling and clutch three-point shooting as well. Treys by the sophomore from Fridley High School at the 7:28 (off the glass) and 5:06 marks helped extend the lead to 68-59. A lateral drive into the lane and finish by freshman Nicole Howard that drew a foul and allowed her to sink a free throw as well made it a 73-61 game with 3:53 left. A "3" by Drooger briefly cut the lead back down to single digits with 3:37 left but a lay-up by Gonzalez with 3:18 left plus key free throws by Schramm finally gave Anoka-Ramsey an incredibly tough 78-68 win over a very gamey and resourceful Minnesota West team. With the Region 13A Championship theirs, Anoka-Ramsey now heads to Rochester for the right to play in the NJCAA Divison III National Tournament.
Los Angeles Rams
Monday, March 4, 2013
Sunday, March 3, 2013
Section 13A Region Tournament Semifinal Fergus Falls vs Minnesota West 3-2-13
The nightcap up at Anoka-Ramsey on this Saturday night featured Fergus Falls (MSCTC) against Minnesota West located in Worthington. Both programs have seemingly been on the cusp of establishing themselves as legitimate threats to the Anoka-Ramsey dynasty the last few seasons and, in fact, Minnesota West handily defeated the Golden Rams in Worthington back in mid-February so this game would decide who would get that golden opportunity to face Anoka-Ramsey in the Region 13A Championship Game on Sunday.
It would be the Fergus Falls Spartans who would get the good start in this one. Freshman Maria Johnson nailed a "3" at the 19:39 mark and they upped that lead to 7-2 by the 17:42 mark when sophomore forward Rhonda Christenson muscled her way into the paint for a score. But right back came the Blue Jays as sophomore Brittany Hulstein got into the paint for a score at the 17:06 mark and then southpaw freshman Tiffany Gehl let loose with a three-point bomb from the right wing at the 16:36 mark that tied things up at 7-all. Sensing possible trouble, Fergus Falls Head Coach Brenda Johnson called a timeout to calm her team down and it at least allowed her team to stay right in the thick of things. After the Blue Jays went up 13-9 (still LOVE that particular score as that's what my Bruins beat 'SC by back in 06; brings back great memories!) on a score inside by strong sophomore forward Katey Granstra, the Spartans came right back Johnson nailed a "3" from the top of the key at the 13:11 mark and then sophomore Aria Walstad out who hails from Hancock knocked down a "3' from the left corner at the 11:41 mark that kept the deficit at a scant two points at 17-15.
A jumper in the lane by Christenson tied things up at 19 a piece with just under ten minutes left in the first half but it was here that the Blue Jays made a move to establish themselves. Gehl uncorked another "3" from the left corner with 9:40 left and then it was Hulstein - first with a steal and lay-up the other way at the 9:32 mark and then with a "3" from the left wing with 8:00 left. Then lanky freshman Lindsey Drooger connected with a jumper just inside the arc from the left wing area with 7:34 left and then a score by Hulstein in the paint with 6:47 left completed this 12-3 burst and had Brenda Johnson burning another timeout to try and halt this surge. Her timing was very good as the Spartans then embarked 10-1 run that had them knotted back up with the Blue Jays at 32-all with just 1:33 left. Fergus Falls took a brief 34-32 lead with :38 left when Johnson connected with a short jumper but a "3" from the top of the key by freshman guard Maria Eichenberger allowed the Blue Jays to stave off complete disaster and take a one point 35-34 lead into the locker room at the half. But to the Spartans credit, they drastically changed the complexion of this game when things could have gone completely kablooey on them.
Minnesota West threatened to put Fergus Falls into a serious hole again once the second half got underway. Drooger got inside for a score at the 19:45 mark and then Hulstein used her strong frame to get into the paint and make a sweet reverse shot underneath the basket at the 18:46 mark. A freebie at the charity stripe by Hulstein at the 18:13 mark and then a drive and finish by the sophomore from Fulda that drew a foul as well and allowed her to cap it off with an obligatory free throw upped the Blue Jay lead to nine at 43-34 and forced Brenda Johnson to use a timeout at the 17:55 mark to again get her team soothed and calmed down. But it would take a while as the Blue Jays continued their assault. Granstra made a drive and finish and drew the foul as well that got her to the charity stripe for a freebie that made it a 46-34 game. Another score by Granstra in the paint at the 16:55 mark and a drive and finish by Eichenberger at the 16:30 mark made it a 50-38 game for Minnesota West. Slowly, though, the Spartans whittled away and gradually made inroads on the Blue Jay cushion. Trailing 52-41 after another drive and finish by Eichenberger at the 13:09 mark (Yep - great memories with those numbers!) Christenson connected with a short jumper at the 12:44 mark and then Johnson got into the paint for a score at the 12:15 mark. Christenson connected on another short jumper with 11:35 left and then it was Johnson getting into the lane again for a jumper off the glass at the 10:09 mark and a lay-up by Johnson with 9:42 left suddenly cut the Blue Jay lead down to only 56-51 and once again had the Minnesota West contingent nervous.
But coming down the stretch, the Spartans never could seem to get the critical shots to fall and Minnesota West used their size and height to gain a key advantage on the boards that limited Fergus Falls' chances and also gave the Blue Jays an opportunity to capitalize. Holding a somewhat precarious 60-53 lead with 6:19 left, Granstra got into the paint for a score with 5:51 left and again with 4:39 left that upped the lead to nine at 64-55. Walstad was able to snare an offensive rebound for the Spartans for a putback with 4:09 left that cut the Blue Jay lead to seven but they never could draw any closer. Free throws by Drooger and yet another score in the paint by Granstra with 1:48 left made it a 70-59 game and two late "3's" by Johnson would not be enough as Minnesota West prevailed by a final score of 74-65. Maybe not as comfortable a win as they would have initially had hoped for but still a "W" nonetheless and, more importantly, a date with Anoka-Ramsey in Sunday's Region 13A Championship Game with a berth in the NJCAA Division III National Tournament on the line.
It would be the Fergus Falls Spartans who would get the good start in this one. Freshman Maria Johnson nailed a "3" at the 19:39 mark and they upped that lead to 7-2 by the 17:42 mark when sophomore forward Rhonda Christenson muscled her way into the paint for a score. But right back came the Blue Jays as sophomore Brittany Hulstein got into the paint for a score at the 17:06 mark and then southpaw freshman Tiffany Gehl let loose with a three-point bomb from the right wing at the 16:36 mark that tied things up at 7-all. Sensing possible trouble, Fergus Falls Head Coach Brenda Johnson called a timeout to calm her team down and it at least allowed her team to stay right in the thick of things. After the Blue Jays went up 13-9 (still LOVE that particular score as that's what my Bruins beat 'SC by back in 06; brings back great memories!) on a score inside by strong sophomore forward Katey Granstra, the Spartans came right back Johnson nailed a "3" from the top of the key at the 13:11 mark and then sophomore Aria Walstad out who hails from Hancock knocked down a "3' from the left corner at the 11:41 mark that kept the deficit at a scant two points at 17-15.
A jumper in the lane by Christenson tied things up at 19 a piece with just under ten minutes left in the first half but it was here that the Blue Jays made a move to establish themselves. Gehl uncorked another "3" from the left corner with 9:40 left and then it was Hulstein - first with a steal and lay-up the other way at the 9:32 mark and then with a "3" from the left wing with 8:00 left. Then lanky freshman Lindsey Drooger connected with a jumper just inside the arc from the left wing area with 7:34 left and then a score by Hulstein in the paint with 6:47 left completed this 12-3 burst and had Brenda Johnson burning another timeout to try and halt this surge. Her timing was very good as the Spartans then embarked 10-1 run that had them knotted back up with the Blue Jays at 32-all with just 1:33 left. Fergus Falls took a brief 34-32 lead with :38 left when Johnson connected with a short jumper but a "3" from the top of the key by freshman guard Maria Eichenberger allowed the Blue Jays to stave off complete disaster and take a one point 35-34 lead into the locker room at the half. But to the Spartans credit, they drastically changed the complexion of this game when things could have gone completely kablooey on them.
Minnesota West threatened to put Fergus Falls into a serious hole again once the second half got underway. Drooger got inside for a score at the 19:45 mark and then Hulstein used her strong frame to get into the paint and make a sweet reverse shot underneath the basket at the 18:46 mark. A freebie at the charity stripe by Hulstein at the 18:13 mark and then a drive and finish by the sophomore from Fulda that drew a foul as well and allowed her to cap it off with an obligatory free throw upped the Blue Jay lead to nine at 43-34 and forced Brenda Johnson to use a timeout at the 17:55 mark to again get her team soothed and calmed down. But it would take a while as the Blue Jays continued their assault. Granstra made a drive and finish and drew the foul as well that got her to the charity stripe for a freebie that made it a 46-34 game. Another score by Granstra in the paint at the 16:55 mark and a drive and finish by Eichenberger at the 16:30 mark made it a 50-38 game for Minnesota West. Slowly, though, the Spartans whittled away and gradually made inroads on the Blue Jay cushion. Trailing 52-41 after another drive and finish by Eichenberger at the 13:09 mark (Yep - great memories with those numbers!) Christenson connected with a short jumper at the 12:44 mark and then Johnson got into the paint for a score at the 12:15 mark. Christenson connected on another short jumper with 11:35 left and then it was Johnson getting into the lane again for a jumper off the glass at the 10:09 mark and a lay-up by Johnson with 9:42 left suddenly cut the Blue Jay lead down to only 56-51 and once again had the Minnesota West contingent nervous.
But coming down the stretch, the Spartans never could seem to get the critical shots to fall and Minnesota West used their size and height to gain a key advantage on the boards that limited Fergus Falls' chances and also gave the Blue Jays an opportunity to capitalize. Holding a somewhat precarious 60-53 lead with 6:19 left, Granstra got into the paint for a score with 5:51 left and again with 4:39 left that upped the lead to nine at 64-55. Walstad was able to snare an offensive rebound for the Spartans for a putback with 4:09 left that cut the Blue Jay lead to seven but they never could draw any closer. Free throws by Drooger and yet another score in the paint by Granstra with 1:48 left made it a 70-59 game and two late "3's" by Johnson would not be enough as Minnesota West prevailed by a final score of 74-65. Maybe not as comfortable a win as they would have initially had hoped for but still a "W" nonetheless and, more importantly, a date with Anoka-Ramsey in Sunday's Region 13A Championship Game with a berth in the NJCAA Division III National Tournament on the line.
Section 13A Region Tournament Semifinal Western Tech vs Anoka-Ramsey 3-2-13
The late afternoon-evening had me up in Coon Rapids to take in the Section 13A Regional Tournmanet that was hosted by Anoka-Ramsey. The first match-up featured Western Tech out of La Crosse, Wisconsin which had made the trip up the River and the Canadian Pacific Railway's River Subdivision mainline to the Twin Cities to take on host Anoka-Ramsey. These teams split during the regular season with the Golden Rams winning at home but the Cavaliers prevailing in double overtime just last weekend down in La Crosse. As you could expect, Anoka-Ramsey Head Coach David DeWitt was fit to be tied at the beginning; sitting at one end of the bench; seemingly ready to explode at a moment's notice. I know the look all too well.
Anoka-Ramsey would never trail in this one but, much to the chagrin of DeWitt, they had a tough time shaking the Cavaliers early on as they managed to hang close despite struggling with their perimeter shooting. Willowy freshman sharpshooter Nicole Schaub had the Golden Rams up 3-0 when she connected with a "3" from the right wing at the 18:50 mark and then fellow freshman Kendra Norman made it a 5-2 game when she connected with a long jumper from the right corner at the 17:19 mark. Western Tech's Becca Meade did connect with a medium-range jumper along the baseline at the 17:05 mark and, after withstanding a "3" by Norman at the 16:46 mark, Amber Patterman drew the Cavaliers to within two at 10-8 when she got into the paint for a score at the 15:48 mark. The Cavaliers were also doing a good job early on disrupting the Anoka-Ramsey offense by getting into the passing lanes and getting after loose balls as well.
Gradually, however, Anoka-Ramsey began putting distance between themselves and their opponent which seems to happen on a regular basis (at least when I watch them anyway!). Schaub drained a rainbow-like "3" from the left wing at the 10:14 mark and then connected again from behind the arc from the left corner with 7:50 left that had Anoka-Ramsey up 20-12. While Meade temporarily removed the cobwebs from the Cavaliers basket with her jumper from the left corner at the 7:50 mark, the Golden Rams quickly got the lead up to double digits with treys from sophomore guard Cami Bauer and freshman Tasha Ambrose that had the Golden Rams up 28-14 with 4:10 left. The Golden Rams would hold this double-digit advantage until the very late stages of the first half. Patterman made good on one free throw after being fouled with 2:07 left and then forward Mickayla Verthein knocked down a short jumper with 1:04 left that whittled the Anoka-Ramsey lead down to 30-19. Finally, with just scant seconds remaining the Cavaliers had the ball one final time and that gave Patterman just enough time to let loose with a prayer and a heave from the half-court that found nothing but net (Wow! TWO of these in one day! Not too bad!) and not only cut the Anoka-Ramsey advantage back down to single digits at 30-22 but also added shock value to the home team as well that gave them something to think about in the locker room during the break.
But you can bet that DeWitt gave his squad a good "talking to" during the half as the Golden Rams wasted little time in putting in a cushion between themselves and their opponent. Two more scores by Patterman - a drive along the left baseline for a finish at the 18:55 mark and then a jumper at the 18:29 mark drew the Cavaliers to within six at 32-26 but from then on it was all Anoka-Ramsey. Schaub connected with a pretty high-arcing "3" from the right wing at the 18:08 mark and then it was Bauer doing the same from the left corner at the 17:51 mark. Sophomore guard Tacita Gonzalez also drained a "3" from the right wing at the 15:37 mark that had Anoka-Ramsey up 41-26. A drive along the left baseline for a finish at the 15:07 mark and then a pull-up jumper by the willowy blonde from Park Center put the Golden Rams up 45-27 and had Western Tech Head Coach Ron Latva pleading for a timeout.
But the Golden Rams kept right on attacking both in the paint and from the perimeter while the Cavaliers simply could not shake their perimeter shooting woes. Though Western Tech did briefly whittle the Anoka-Ramsey lead down to twelve by the 10:45 mark, freshman Nicole Howard was able to get into the paint for a score at the 10:31 mark and then sophomore Kelli Schramm, who had an outstanding second half from a scoring standpoint, also manuevered into the paint for a score at the 8:27 mark. With 7:28 left, Schramm knocked down two free throws after being fouled and then connected with a jumper from the left elbow area with 6:29 left for a 56-37 Anoka-Ramsey lead. Schaub would connect on another of her patented rainbow "3's" from the left top area with 5:37 left and then Gonzalez did the same from the left top area with 4:46 left that made it a 62-39 game that left little doubt in the outcome. A jumper in transition by Schaub with 3:19 left and a jumper by Schramm with 2:35 left plus a steal and a lay-up the other way by the wily Gonzalez paved the way to a 71-44 victory that put the Golden Rams into Sunday's Region 13A Championship Game against the winner of the Fergus Falls - Minnesota West winner.
Anoka-Ramsey would never trail in this one but, much to the chagrin of DeWitt, they had a tough time shaking the Cavaliers early on as they managed to hang close despite struggling with their perimeter shooting. Willowy freshman sharpshooter Nicole Schaub had the Golden Rams up 3-0 when she connected with a "3" from the right wing at the 18:50 mark and then fellow freshman Kendra Norman made it a 5-2 game when she connected with a long jumper from the right corner at the 17:19 mark. Western Tech's Becca Meade did connect with a medium-range jumper along the baseline at the 17:05 mark and, after withstanding a "3" by Norman at the 16:46 mark, Amber Patterman drew the Cavaliers to within two at 10-8 when she got into the paint for a score at the 15:48 mark. The Cavaliers were also doing a good job early on disrupting the Anoka-Ramsey offense by getting into the passing lanes and getting after loose balls as well.
Gradually, however, Anoka-Ramsey began putting distance between themselves and their opponent which seems to happen on a regular basis (at least when I watch them anyway!). Schaub drained a rainbow-like "3" from the left wing at the 10:14 mark and then connected again from behind the arc from the left corner with 7:50 left that had Anoka-Ramsey up 20-12. While Meade temporarily removed the cobwebs from the Cavaliers basket with her jumper from the left corner at the 7:50 mark, the Golden Rams quickly got the lead up to double digits with treys from sophomore guard Cami Bauer and freshman Tasha Ambrose that had the Golden Rams up 28-14 with 4:10 left. The Golden Rams would hold this double-digit advantage until the very late stages of the first half. Patterman made good on one free throw after being fouled with 2:07 left and then forward Mickayla Verthein knocked down a short jumper with 1:04 left that whittled the Anoka-Ramsey lead down to 30-19. Finally, with just scant seconds remaining the Cavaliers had the ball one final time and that gave Patterman just enough time to let loose with a prayer and a heave from the half-court that found nothing but net (Wow! TWO of these in one day! Not too bad!) and not only cut the Anoka-Ramsey advantage back down to single digits at 30-22 but also added shock value to the home team as well that gave them something to think about in the locker room during the break.
But you can bet that DeWitt gave his squad a good "talking to" during the half as the Golden Rams wasted little time in putting in a cushion between themselves and their opponent. Two more scores by Patterman - a drive along the left baseline for a finish at the 18:55 mark and then a jumper at the 18:29 mark drew the Cavaliers to within six at 32-26 but from then on it was all Anoka-Ramsey. Schaub connected with a pretty high-arcing "3" from the right wing at the 18:08 mark and then it was Bauer doing the same from the left corner at the 17:51 mark. Sophomore guard Tacita Gonzalez also drained a "3" from the right wing at the 15:37 mark that had Anoka-Ramsey up 41-26. A drive along the left baseline for a finish at the 15:07 mark and then a pull-up jumper by the willowy blonde from Park Center put the Golden Rams up 45-27 and had Western Tech Head Coach Ron Latva pleading for a timeout.
But the Golden Rams kept right on attacking both in the paint and from the perimeter while the Cavaliers simply could not shake their perimeter shooting woes. Though Western Tech did briefly whittle the Anoka-Ramsey lead down to twelve by the 10:45 mark, freshman Nicole Howard was able to get into the paint for a score at the 10:31 mark and then sophomore Kelli Schramm, who had an outstanding second half from a scoring standpoint, also manuevered into the paint for a score at the 8:27 mark. With 7:28 left, Schramm knocked down two free throws after being fouled and then connected with a jumper from the left elbow area with 6:29 left for a 56-37 Anoka-Ramsey lead. Schaub would connect on another of her patented rainbow "3's" from the left top area with 5:37 left and then Gonzalez did the same from the left top area with 4:46 left that made it a 62-39 game that left little doubt in the outcome. A jumper in transition by Schaub with 3:19 left and a jumper by Schramm with 2:35 left plus a steal and a lay-up the other way by the wily Gonzalez paved the way to a 71-44 victory that put the Golden Rams into Sunday's Region 13A Championship Game against the winner of the Fergus Falls - Minnesota West winner.
Section 6AAAA Semifinal Wayzata vs Minnetonka 3-2-13
The second semifinal over at Osseo on Saturday featured a Lake Conference rematch - the third time around version - between #3 seed Wayzata and #2 seed Minnetonka. The Skippers had won both regular season meetings and, of course, you know that old adage about how difficult it is to beat a team three times in a row in one season. Still, this is what stood in the Skippers way if they wanted to have a date with Hopkins on Wednesday night.
But it would be the Trojans who would have a slight upper-hand in the early going in this one despite trailing 5-2 at the 15:22 mark after a long jumper by Skipper standout senior Joanna Hedstrom from the left wing. Wayzata senior guard Kiana Nickel would tie the issue at 5-all with her "3" from the top of the key at the 14:37 mark and then it was fellow senior guard Katie Schulz knocking down a "3" of her own from the right wing at the 13:51 mark for an 8-5 Wayzata lead. Schulz would connect with a medium-range jumper at the 13:02 mark and then lanky senior forward Reilly Johnson was able to get inside for a score at the 10:44 mark for a 12-10 Trojan lead. Schulz extended the lead to 14-10 by connecting with a lay-up in transition at the 10:22 mark and then junior reserve guard McKenna Evans was able to get into the paint for a score with 8:12 left that had the Wayzata lead at 16-13.
It obviously took awhile for the Skippers to shake off the cobwebs in the first half but once they did, they took a decided advantage. It all started just under the 7:00 minute mark when Joanna Hedstrom knocked down one free throw after being fouled. On the next Minnetonka possession the Skippers used patience and excellent passing around the perimeter that had the Wayzata defense on its heels and it allowed willowy sophomore reserve Caroline Shelquist to begin reigning terror from behind the arc as she cooly drained a "3" from the right wing with 6:02 left that put Minnetonka back up at 17-16 and then it was Shelquist putting down another "3" from the left wing with 4:59 left for a 20-16 Skipper lead that had Wayzata Head Coach Mike Schumacher calling for a timeout to try and find a way to stop this new Minnetonka secret weapon.
Wayzata would briefly close the gap a bit afterward when Schulz made a strong move along the right baseline for a finish with 3:50 left but the Skippers had only begun their offensive. Senior guard Brittany Rice connected with a jumper from the left wing with 3:24 left and then junior reserve forward Mackenzie Dahl connected with a jumper off the glass with 2:29 left for a 25-18 Minnetonka lead. Then it was Shelquist again terrorizing the Trojans from behind the arc as she connected with a "3" from the left wing with 2:01 left. Then, with just one tick left on the clock before halftime, junior guard Anne Hamilton was able to knock down a short jumper along the right baseline that put the Skippers up 30-20 and likely began to plant the seeds of doubt into the Trojans' minds as well.
Minnetonka appeared to be ready to put considerable cushion between themselves and their opponent when Hamilton made good on another three-point attempt from the right wing at the 17:39 mark. But the Trojans weren't ready to go home just yet as they mounted a serious push to try and close the gap. After Schulz knocked down two free throws when she was fouled at the 17:28 mark, she then banged home a "3' from the right corner at the 16:46 mark that cut the Minnetonka advantage back into single digits at 33-25. Schulz also connected with a lay-up in transition on the ensuing Trojan possession that cut further into the Skipper lead as the senior was ready to leave everything she had out there on the floor for her team. Two more treys by Schulz - one from the right wing at the 14:27 mark and another one at the 11:55 mark plus an offensive rebound and putback by Reilly Johnson kept the deficit manageable at four and gave the Wayzata contingent reason for hope.
But just when it looked as if Wayzata might be able to get on even terms again with the Skippers, it was Shelquist who put a dagger into the heart of the Trojans with her shooting prowess from behind the arc. She had connected with one at the 13:18 mark in the midst of Wayzata's run and then on another attempt from the left wing at the 12:04 mark. Hannah Hedstrom, Joanna's younger sis, knocked down two freebies at the 11:41 mark and then it was Shelquist again draining a "3" from the left corner at the 10:51 mark as the Trojans simply could not contain her. Joanna Hedstrom made good on a drive and finish at the 10:26 mark and then it was Hamilton completing this 13-3 burst when she nailed a "3' from the left wing with 9:32 left that once and for all had extinguished Wayzata's slim hopes and had Schumacher again pleading for a timeout.
The Skippers would be brutally efficient coming down the home stretch while Wayzata seemed to go stone cold and couldn't get anything to go down. Joanna Hedstrom got inside for a score with 8:54 left and then it was Rice getting into the paint as well for a finish and drawing the foul as well and her freebie had Minnetonka up 55-36. Dahl had her Skipper teammates and parents/fans holding their breath momentarily when she was down on the floor with 7:51 left but everyone heaved a sigh of relief when she got up and off the floor under her own power. Reserve junior post Suzanne Molencamp connected with one jumper off the glass with 7:30 left and then put down a jumper from the right wing with 6:52 left that kept the 'Tonka advantage at that safe 20 point cushion. At the 4:00 minute mark, Minnetonka Head Coach Leah Dasovich had her team milk the clock the rest of the way that had the Skippers at the free throw line on numerous occasions that ensured final victory. Both teams had the reserves in the game with two minutes left and it was the Skippers cruising to a 65-46 victory that puts them into the Section 6AAAA Championship Game against Hopkins on Wednesday night.
But it would be the Trojans who would have a slight upper-hand in the early going in this one despite trailing 5-2 at the 15:22 mark after a long jumper by Skipper standout senior Joanna Hedstrom from the left wing. Wayzata senior guard Kiana Nickel would tie the issue at 5-all with her "3" from the top of the key at the 14:37 mark and then it was fellow senior guard Katie Schulz knocking down a "3" of her own from the right wing at the 13:51 mark for an 8-5 Wayzata lead. Schulz would connect with a medium-range jumper at the 13:02 mark and then lanky senior forward Reilly Johnson was able to get inside for a score at the 10:44 mark for a 12-10 Trojan lead. Schulz extended the lead to 14-10 by connecting with a lay-up in transition at the 10:22 mark and then junior reserve guard McKenna Evans was able to get into the paint for a score with 8:12 left that had the Wayzata lead at 16-13.
It obviously took awhile for the Skippers to shake off the cobwebs in the first half but once they did, they took a decided advantage. It all started just under the 7:00 minute mark when Joanna Hedstrom knocked down one free throw after being fouled. On the next Minnetonka possession the Skippers used patience and excellent passing around the perimeter that had the Wayzata defense on its heels and it allowed willowy sophomore reserve Caroline Shelquist to begin reigning terror from behind the arc as she cooly drained a "3" from the right wing with 6:02 left that put Minnetonka back up at 17-16 and then it was Shelquist putting down another "3" from the left wing with 4:59 left for a 20-16 Skipper lead that had Wayzata Head Coach Mike Schumacher calling for a timeout to try and find a way to stop this new Minnetonka secret weapon.
Wayzata would briefly close the gap a bit afterward when Schulz made a strong move along the right baseline for a finish with 3:50 left but the Skippers had only begun their offensive. Senior guard Brittany Rice connected with a jumper from the left wing with 3:24 left and then junior reserve forward Mackenzie Dahl connected with a jumper off the glass with 2:29 left for a 25-18 Minnetonka lead. Then it was Shelquist again terrorizing the Trojans from behind the arc as she connected with a "3" from the left wing with 2:01 left. Then, with just one tick left on the clock before halftime, junior guard Anne Hamilton was able to knock down a short jumper along the right baseline that put the Skippers up 30-20 and likely began to plant the seeds of doubt into the Trojans' minds as well.
Minnetonka appeared to be ready to put considerable cushion between themselves and their opponent when Hamilton made good on another three-point attempt from the right wing at the 17:39 mark. But the Trojans weren't ready to go home just yet as they mounted a serious push to try and close the gap. After Schulz knocked down two free throws when she was fouled at the 17:28 mark, she then banged home a "3' from the right corner at the 16:46 mark that cut the Minnetonka advantage back into single digits at 33-25. Schulz also connected with a lay-up in transition on the ensuing Trojan possession that cut further into the Skipper lead as the senior was ready to leave everything she had out there on the floor for her team. Two more treys by Schulz - one from the right wing at the 14:27 mark and another one at the 11:55 mark plus an offensive rebound and putback by Reilly Johnson kept the deficit manageable at four and gave the Wayzata contingent reason for hope.
But just when it looked as if Wayzata might be able to get on even terms again with the Skippers, it was Shelquist who put a dagger into the heart of the Trojans with her shooting prowess from behind the arc. She had connected with one at the 13:18 mark in the midst of Wayzata's run and then on another attempt from the left wing at the 12:04 mark. Hannah Hedstrom, Joanna's younger sis, knocked down two freebies at the 11:41 mark and then it was Shelquist again draining a "3" from the left corner at the 10:51 mark as the Trojans simply could not contain her. Joanna Hedstrom made good on a drive and finish at the 10:26 mark and then it was Hamilton completing this 13-3 burst when she nailed a "3' from the left wing with 9:32 left that once and for all had extinguished Wayzata's slim hopes and had Schumacher again pleading for a timeout.
The Skippers would be brutally efficient coming down the home stretch while Wayzata seemed to go stone cold and couldn't get anything to go down. Joanna Hedstrom got inside for a score with 8:54 left and then it was Rice getting into the paint as well for a finish and drawing the foul as well and her freebie had Minnetonka up 55-36. Dahl had her Skipper teammates and parents/fans holding their breath momentarily when she was down on the floor with 7:51 left but everyone heaved a sigh of relief when she got up and off the floor under her own power. Reserve junior post Suzanne Molencamp connected with one jumper off the glass with 7:30 left and then put down a jumper from the right wing with 6:52 left that kept the 'Tonka advantage at that safe 20 point cushion. At the 4:00 minute mark, Minnetonka Head Coach Leah Dasovich had her team milk the clock the rest of the way that had the Skippers at the free throw line on numerous occasions that ensured final victory. Both teams had the reserves in the game with two minutes left and it was the Skippers cruising to a 65-46 victory that puts them into the Section 6AAAA Championship Game against Hopkins on Wednesday night.
Saturday, March 2, 2013
Section 6AAAA Semifinal Cooper vs Hopkins 3-2-13
Made my way over to Osseo High School today to catch the semifinals of Section 6AAAA - the first one at noon featuring fourth-seeeded Cooper against defending state champ and perennial powerhouse - and #1 seed Hopkins. On paper anyway, this appeared to be a comfortable win for the Royals and likely nothing more than a speedbump along the way back to Target Center for a repeat performance from last year. However, as Head Coach Brian Cosgriff knows all too well, games are never won on paper and the Royals had to be ready to go.
Cooper managed to stay close for the first seven minutes as early baskets from senior guard Chelsey McGee and junior Tori Green plus a free throw by senior Talaylah Rich enabled the Hawks to be knotted at 9-all with their heavily-favored opponent by the 14:35 mark. However, the Royals finally got their run-and-gun style cranking soon afterward. Senior guard Taylor Anderson knocked down a "3" at the 14:11 mark and then it was fellow senior sensation Nia Coffey connecting on a lay-up in transition at the 13:45 mark. Three more scores by Coffey - one in the paint at the 12:55 mark, a jumper at the 12:20 mark, and another lay-up in transition at the 11:49 mark - not only showed the crowd at Osseo what an incredibly explosive player she really is but also had Hopkins up by a score of 20-12 and had Cooper Head Coach Jen Rademacher calling for a timeout.
Hopkins would gradually expand their lead into double digits but the pesky Hawks did not make it an easy task. A jumper by Coffey at the 10:42 mark plus a score in the paint by reserve junior post Molly O'Toole had Hopkins up 26-16. A "3" by Anderson from the top of the key with 9:39 left made it a 29-17 game in favor of the Royals but Cooper kept finding ways to hang around even when things looked a little bleak. Junior guard Laurie Bohler connected with a jumper with 9:07 left and then Rich used her strong 5'9" frame to make good on a drive and finish with 7:09 left to briefly cut the deficit back to single digits. Hopkins, however, would go on another surge; an 11-2 run highlighted by a steal and lay-up the other way by the speedy Anderson and strong 6'4" senior post Erin O'Toole getting scores in the paint at the 5:18 and 4:27 marks. Coffey also made good on yet another lay-up in transition and got fouled in the process and the obligatory freebie had Hopkins seemingly safely up 41-25 with 4:02 left. But this Cooper team simply refused to fold up the tent - it was WAY too early for that. Junior Manita Kelly knocked down a jumper from the left wing with 3:54 left and then it was Bohler draining a "3" from the right wing with 3:18 left. Two more scores by Coffey temporarily halted the Cooper march but Rich again muscled her way into the lane to knock down a short jumper with 2:13 left and then it was Green using her quickness to make good on a drive and finish - and draw a foul in the process that allowed her to sink a free throw to cut the Hopkins lead down to 46-33. The Royals attempted to salt away the first half with under a minute left but a costly turnover gave the Hawks a wisp of a chance with just :02 left. And that was all Bohler needed as she took the inbounds pass and let loose with a heave and a prayer from mid-court that kissed off the glass and into the cylinder and net that wowed the crowd and drew Cooper to within ten at 46-36. Now the question would be if Cooper could somehow channel this late first-half run into some much-needed momentum going into the second half.
The answer to that question was a resounding no - at least opening minutes of the second half anyway as the Royals quickly proceeded to go on a 7-0 run that had the lead safely back in the double-digit margin again by the 16:29 mark at 53-36. Cooper briefly threatened again when Green hit a "3" from the left wing at the 15:44 mark and Bohler grabbed an offensive rebound for a putback at the 15:04 mark but the Royals kept doing damage to the Hawks both inside and outside. Erin O'Toole grabbed a rebound of her own missed shot for a putback at the 14:43 mark and then freshman Nia Hollie connected with a jumper along the right baseline at the 13:34 mark. Erin O'Toole connected with a shot off the glass at the 11:53 mark and then both Anderson and Coffey made good on transition opportunites that made it a 63-44 game and had Rademecher calling for another timeout to halt this latest Hopkins blitzkrieg.
The Royals would increase the lead to as much as twenty one at 70-49 with 9:42 left and, by that point, everything looked safe for Hopkins. But this is a scrappy Cooper team sporting a 22-5 record that ripped off fifteen wins since the first of the year; the only blemish being a 45-42 loss to DeLaSalle on January 3. And they weren't about to throw in the towel on this one, either. It was a process but the Hawks gradually whittled away at the Hopkins lead. Bohler drained a "3" from the left corner with 9:09 left. Senior reserve guard Hannah DeNure made good on two chances at the charity stripe with 7:37 left and then it was Rich who was sensational coming down the stretch as she connected on a jumper in the lane and in considerable traffic with 7:15 left. Then it was DeNure getting inside for a score with 6:41 left that cut the Hopkins lead down to 73-58 and had Cosgriff pleading for a timeout.
Hopkins would then go on another push that had the lead back up to 78-60 with 4:05 left but the Hawks still wouldn't quit. Rich muscled her way into the paint for a score with 3:57 left and then with 2:47 left she made another strong move into the lane and connected with a one-handed jumper. Senior Mikayla Shackelford missed a free throw attempt for the Royals with 2:22 left and that gave the Hawks another chance to slice into the Hopkins advantage. Rich got into the lane with 2:10 left on a strong move and connected with another one-handed shot that cut the lead down to twelve at 78-66. After another Hopkins miss, back came the Hawks and Rich was able to connect with a lay-up in transition with just 1:40 left that cut the lead down to ten at 78-68 and surely had the Royals and Cosgriff sweating just a bit. But that's as close as the Hawks could come in this one as the Royals used the clock to get to the charity stripe and was able to come away with a much tougher than expected 82-70 win that sends Hopkins to the Section 6AAAA Championship Game this coming Wednesday night.
Cooper managed to stay close for the first seven minutes as early baskets from senior guard Chelsey McGee and junior Tori Green plus a free throw by senior Talaylah Rich enabled the Hawks to be knotted at 9-all with their heavily-favored opponent by the 14:35 mark. However, the Royals finally got their run-and-gun style cranking soon afterward. Senior guard Taylor Anderson knocked down a "3" at the 14:11 mark and then it was fellow senior sensation Nia Coffey connecting on a lay-up in transition at the 13:45 mark. Three more scores by Coffey - one in the paint at the 12:55 mark, a jumper at the 12:20 mark, and another lay-up in transition at the 11:49 mark - not only showed the crowd at Osseo what an incredibly explosive player she really is but also had Hopkins up by a score of 20-12 and had Cooper Head Coach Jen Rademacher calling for a timeout.
Hopkins would gradually expand their lead into double digits but the pesky Hawks did not make it an easy task. A jumper by Coffey at the 10:42 mark plus a score in the paint by reserve junior post Molly O'Toole had Hopkins up 26-16. A "3" by Anderson from the top of the key with 9:39 left made it a 29-17 game in favor of the Royals but Cooper kept finding ways to hang around even when things looked a little bleak. Junior guard Laurie Bohler connected with a jumper with 9:07 left and then Rich used her strong 5'9" frame to make good on a drive and finish with 7:09 left to briefly cut the deficit back to single digits. Hopkins, however, would go on another surge; an 11-2 run highlighted by a steal and lay-up the other way by the speedy Anderson and strong 6'4" senior post Erin O'Toole getting scores in the paint at the 5:18 and 4:27 marks. Coffey also made good on yet another lay-up in transition and got fouled in the process and the obligatory freebie had Hopkins seemingly safely up 41-25 with 4:02 left. But this Cooper team simply refused to fold up the tent - it was WAY too early for that. Junior Manita Kelly knocked down a jumper from the left wing with 3:54 left and then it was Bohler draining a "3" from the right wing with 3:18 left. Two more scores by Coffey temporarily halted the Cooper march but Rich again muscled her way into the lane to knock down a short jumper with 2:13 left and then it was Green using her quickness to make good on a drive and finish - and draw a foul in the process that allowed her to sink a free throw to cut the Hopkins lead down to 46-33. The Royals attempted to salt away the first half with under a minute left but a costly turnover gave the Hawks a wisp of a chance with just :02 left. And that was all Bohler needed as she took the inbounds pass and let loose with a heave and a prayer from mid-court that kissed off the glass and into the cylinder and net that wowed the crowd and drew Cooper to within ten at 46-36. Now the question would be if Cooper could somehow channel this late first-half run into some much-needed momentum going into the second half.
The answer to that question was a resounding no - at least opening minutes of the second half anyway as the Royals quickly proceeded to go on a 7-0 run that had the lead safely back in the double-digit margin again by the 16:29 mark at 53-36. Cooper briefly threatened again when Green hit a "3" from the left wing at the 15:44 mark and Bohler grabbed an offensive rebound for a putback at the 15:04 mark but the Royals kept doing damage to the Hawks both inside and outside. Erin O'Toole grabbed a rebound of her own missed shot for a putback at the 14:43 mark and then freshman Nia Hollie connected with a jumper along the right baseline at the 13:34 mark. Erin O'Toole connected with a shot off the glass at the 11:53 mark and then both Anderson and Coffey made good on transition opportunites that made it a 63-44 game and had Rademecher calling for another timeout to halt this latest Hopkins blitzkrieg.
The Royals would increase the lead to as much as twenty one at 70-49 with 9:42 left and, by that point, everything looked safe for Hopkins. But this is a scrappy Cooper team sporting a 22-5 record that ripped off fifteen wins since the first of the year; the only blemish being a 45-42 loss to DeLaSalle on January 3. And they weren't about to throw in the towel on this one, either. It was a process but the Hawks gradually whittled away at the Hopkins lead. Bohler drained a "3" from the left corner with 9:09 left. Senior reserve guard Hannah DeNure made good on two chances at the charity stripe with 7:37 left and then it was Rich who was sensational coming down the stretch as she connected on a jumper in the lane and in considerable traffic with 7:15 left. Then it was DeNure getting inside for a score with 6:41 left that cut the Hopkins lead down to 73-58 and had Cosgriff pleading for a timeout.
Hopkins would then go on another push that had the lead back up to 78-60 with 4:05 left but the Hawks still wouldn't quit. Rich muscled her way into the paint for a score with 3:57 left and then with 2:47 left she made another strong move into the lane and connected with a one-handed jumper. Senior Mikayla Shackelford missed a free throw attempt for the Royals with 2:22 left and that gave the Hawks another chance to slice into the Hopkins advantage. Rich got into the lane with 2:10 left on a strong move and connected with another one-handed shot that cut the lead down to twelve at 78-66. After another Hopkins miss, back came the Hawks and Rich was able to connect with a lay-up in transition with just 1:40 left that cut the lead down to ten at 78-68 and surely had the Royals and Cosgriff sweating just a bit. But that's as close as the Hawks could come in this one as the Royals used the clock to get to the charity stripe and was able to come away with a much tougher than expected 82-70 win that sends Hopkins to the Section 6AAAA Championship Game this coming Wednesday night.
Friday, March 1, 2013
Prepping For The Games Today - A MIAC Perspective
Okay, so here we are a little less than a half hour away for the starts for the UST vs Calvin and Concordia vs UW-Stevens Point first round NCAA Tournament games. It's always an exciting time and I apologize for not getting this on sooner. Tough doing work, then high school games at night and then trying to do whatever I have to do at home. Oh well, better late than never!
Let's see if I can break down each team's chances and what they have to do:
UST - This game in Mt. Vernon, Iowa (home of host Cornell College) against Calvin is a what you would term the "rubber" game as these teams have met twice just recently already. In the NCAA Tournament last year, UST claimed an 83-72 win in the Elite Eight that sent the Tommies to the Final Four. Then, in the season opener in a tournament hosted by Millikin, it was the Knights claiming a measure of revenge as they took a tough 78-72 win over the Tommies. While I don't know a lot about the MIAA Conference in general, I do know that Calvin (along with their arch-rival Hope College) is a perennial powerhouse and has had numerous NCAA Tourney appearances in the past so this is old hat for them. The Tommies made their run to the Final Four last year so they know what this is all about now, too. That in mind, this has all the makings for an incredibly great game and, in many ways, it's too bad they have to meet in the first round. Okay, so, what do the Tommies have to do to prevail here? In my mind, they've got to (1) hound Calvin with that pressure defense that they're so famous for and (2) they've got to find a way to somehow contain Calvin standout post player Carissa Verkaik. That means that there's going to be a huge burden on sophomore center Anna Smith in this game. Also, I do feel good about Kellie Ring just being Kellie Ring; solid and taking care of the rock; making good decisions. Oh, and let's not forget about Taylor Young here either. If she can get opportunities to MAKE plays, the Tommies can do this.
Concordia - When I saw the pairings and saw that the Cobbers drew UW-Stevens Point in the first round, my knee-jerk reaction was "Oh no, not ANOTHER first-round loss." However, in the last couple of days I've lightened up on my thoughts on all this and how the Cobbers can somehow pull this off and advance. Look, when you play the Pointers, you know the main weapon they have is Sam Barber who can literally take over a game at the drop of a hat. That means it's really going to be up to the two seniors; the main cogs on this team - Emily Thesing and Tricia Sorensen - to try and find a way to stop her while at the same time finding some opportunities for themselves to score. It's as simple as that. Oh, and it wouldn't hurt at all if 6'4" junior center Alexandra Lippert can dominate down low with rebounds AND scoring. She's got to be tough in this game and not let herself get pushed around by a physical UW-Stevens Point team - and not get into foul trouble, either. Especially early on. The "X-Factor" in this game might very well be sophomore Erin Januschka off the bench. If she can score down low, it gives the Pointers something else to think about.
Well, here we go. Let's go Tommies and Cobbers. Do the MIAC proud!!!!!
Let's see if I can break down each team's chances and what they have to do:
UST - This game in Mt. Vernon, Iowa (home of host Cornell College) against Calvin is a what you would term the "rubber" game as these teams have met twice just recently already. In the NCAA Tournament last year, UST claimed an 83-72 win in the Elite Eight that sent the Tommies to the Final Four. Then, in the season opener in a tournament hosted by Millikin, it was the Knights claiming a measure of revenge as they took a tough 78-72 win over the Tommies. While I don't know a lot about the MIAA Conference in general, I do know that Calvin (along with their arch-rival Hope College) is a perennial powerhouse and has had numerous NCAA Tourney appearances in the past so this is old hat for them. The Tommies made their run to the Final Four last year so they know what this is all about now, too. That in mind, this has all the makings for an incredibly great game and, in many ways, it's too bad they have to meet in the first round. Okay, so, what do the Tommies have to do to prevail here? In my mind, they've got to (1) hound Calvin with that pressure defense that they're so famous for and (2) they've got to find a way to somehow contain Calvin standout post player Carissa Verkaik. That means that there's going to be a huge burden on sophomore center Anna Smith in this game. Also, I do feel good about Kellie Ring just being Kellie Ring; solid and taking care of the rock; making good decisions. Oh, and let's not forget about Taylor Young here either. If she can get opportunities to MAKE plays, the Tommies can do this.
Concordia - When I saw the pairings and saw that the Cobbers drew UW-Stevens Point in the first round, my knee-jerk reaction was "Oh no, not ANOTHER first-round loss." However, in the last couple of days I've lightened up on my thoughts on all this and how the Cobbers can somehow pull this off and advance. Look, when you play the Pointers, you know the main weapon they have is Sam Barber who can literally take over a game at the drop of a hat. That means it's really going to be up to the two seniors; the main cogs on this team - Emily Thesing and Tricia Sorensen - to try and find a way to stop her while at the same time finding some opportunities for themselves to score. It's as simple as that. Oh, and it wouldn't hurt at all if 6'4" junior center Alexandra Lippert can dominate down low with rebounds AND scoring. She's got to be tough in this game and not let herself get pushed around by a physical UW-Stevens Point team - and not get into foul trouble, either. Especially early on. The "X-Factor" in this game might very well be sophomore Erin Januschka off the bench. If she can score down low, it gives the Pointers something else to think about.
Well, here we go. Let's go Tommies and Cobbers. Do the MIAC proud!!!!!
Section 5AAAA Quarterfinal Champlin Park vs Maple Grove 2-28-13
Was out at Maple Grove High School last night to catch the Section 5AAAA quarterfinal game that pitted host (and #4 seed) Maple Grove against a young and up-and-coming #5 seed Champlin Park. Besides the seeding aspect, you knew this game was going to be special anyway as both are rivals in the highly competitive Northwest Suburban Conference and both programs have a rich history and tradition that have included appearances at Target Center during the month of March.
Conventional wisdom would have held that the Crimson SHOULD be able to hold serve at home but conventional wisdom got tossed out the window early by this young, adventuresome and attacking Champlin Park squad as they bolted out to a 6-0 lead behind flashy junior guard Alexis Alexander as she grabbed an offensive rebound for a putback at the 17:53 mark and connected with long jumpers just inside the arc at both the 16:24 and 14:24 marks. The Rebels were also playing in-your-face defense that caused a multitude of problems for Maple Grove early on and it wasn't until the 13:11 mark that they finally got untracked. Senior guard Angie Davison made a hard drive and finish to get the Crimson on the board and, after a free throw be senior reserve guard Kyla Schmidt, fellow senior Kelly Olzenak drained a "3" from the right corner at the 10:31 mark that knotted things at 6-all. Things would stay close over the course of the next 5 minutes with each side trading leads of no more than two points.
The Rebels, however, would make a push in the last few minutes of the first half that would not only give them an edge but would also be a precursor of things to come in the second half. Trailing 16-15, the Rebels lanky junior post Mariya Sampson (with older sis and former Rebel Heather in the stands cheering her on) snared an offensive rebound for a putback that put Champlin Park out in front again - and for good - at 17-16. A jumper by Sampson with 4:20 left gave the Rebels a 19-16 lead. Even more alarming for Maple Grove was when Davison (who is headed to UNI like older sis Stephanie) picked up her third foul with 2:40 left in the first half that forced Crimson Head Coach Mark Cook to bench his senior standout. This gave Champlin Park the opening it was looking for. Alexander used her quickness to snare a steal and go the other way for a lay-up with 2:18 left and then it was senior guard Kalli Zimmerman knocking down a "3" from the left wing with 1:20 left that allowed the upstart Rebels to go into the locker room at halftime with a surprising 26-21 lead.
Maple Grove would at least hang within striking distance in the opening minutes of the second half but they never could quite find that "burst" that Cook was hoping for. Part of the problem was that the Crimson simply couldn't get many of their numerous three-point attempts to fall on this night. The other problem was that the aggressive defense that Champlin Park was throwing really took the Crimson out of their rythm offensively as they just never looked smooth on this night. The other big thing was that the Rebels were doing an outstanding job of rebounding on both the offensive and defensive sides that limited Maple Grove's chances as well. Nevertheless, the Crimson were still in the thick of things at the 15:03 mark when senior Madison Ordner connected with a sweet shot off the glass that cut the Rebel lead to 31-27. But this young Champlin Park team coached by Doug Swenson would not be denied on this Thursday night. Sampson connected with a turnaround shot at the 14:39 mark and two shots at the charity stripe by Sampson at the 13:36 mark made it a 35-27 game that had Cook calling for a timeout. Did this faze the navy-blue clad Rebels? Hardly. Afterwards, Alexander made good on a lay-up at the 12:45 mark and after a free throw by the junior, junior reserve guard Genevae Adkins got into the game (and into the groove as well) as she connected with a long two pointer just inside the arc from the left corner at the 11:14 mark. Adkins liked that spot so much that, on the ensuing Rebel possession she camped out in the same spot; just a couple of steps back this time, and nailed a "3" at the 10:34 mark to complete a decisive 13-2 run that not only gave Champlin Park a commanding 44-29 lead but also had Maple Grove behind the 8-ball by now as well.
The Crimson refused to quit however, and they poured their souls in a valiant effort to try and claw back into things. Ordner got into the paint for a score at the 10:02 mark and was fouled in the process. The obligatory freebie cut the deficit to twelve at 44-32. Reserve sophomore Julie Hagert, who had an outstanding second half for the Crimson, did the same with 6:52 left that also gave Champlin Park's Sampson her fourth foul. Senior reserve SJ DeGroote got a lay-up in transition with 6:18 left that cut the Rebel lead into single digits at 46-37. Then it was Olzenak nailing a "3" with 5:38 left that cut Champlin Park's lead to 48-40. But just when it seemed as if Maple Grove might be on the verge of a miraculous comeback, their gas tank came up empty as they just never could quite seem to hit that big "3" or make that big "burst" that might have totally changed the complexion of this game. And the Rebels kept right on attacking inside and outside - and pounding the boards as well. Senior guard Alli Zopfi hit a huge "3" with 4:55 left that gave the Rebels a double-digit cushion again at 51-40 that they would hang onto the rest of the way. Moreover, Swenson had his team milking the clock for all it was worth under the four minute mark that would get the Rebels to the charity stripe often in the waning minutes. Even more frustrating for Maple Grove in the last few minutes was their inability to put down free throws that only made their situation more desperate. Two late scores by Hagert slimmed down the deficit a bit but the crowning touch for the Rebels was a lay-up by Sampson in transition with just under a minute left that finally sealed the deal for Champlin Park as they recorded a stunning 66-52 upset that has them heading up to Anoka this next Tuesday night for a semifinal date with the winner of the Roseville - Irondale game.
Conventional wisdom would have held that the Crimson SHOULD be able to hold serve at home but conventional wisdom got tossed out the window early by this young, adventuresome and attacking Champlin Park squad as they bolted out to a 6-0 lead behind flashy junior guard Alexis Alexander as she grabbed an offensive rebound for a putback at the 17:53 mark and connected with long jumpers just inside the arc at both the 16:24 and 14:24 marks. The Rebels were also playing in-your-face defense that caused a multitude of problems for Maple Grove early on and it wasn't until the 13:11 mark that they finally got untracked. Senior guard Angie Davison made a hard drive and finish to get the Crimson on the board and, after a free throw be senior reserve guard Kyla Schmidt, fellow senior Kelly Olzenak drained a "3" from the right corner at the 10:31 mark that knotted things at 6-all. Things would stay close over the course of the next 5 minutes with each side trading leads of no more than two points.
The Rebels, however, would make a push in the last few minutes of the first half that would not only give them an edge but would also be a precursor of things to come in the second half. Trailing 16-15, the Rebels lanky junior post Mariya Sampson (with older sis and former Rebel Heather in the stands cheering her on) snared an offensive rebound for a putback that put Champlin Park out in front again - and for good - at 17-16. A jumper by Sampson with 4:20 left gave the Rebels a 19-16 lead. Even more alarming for Maple Grove was when Davison (who is headed to UNI like older sis Stephanie) picked up her third foul with 2:40 left in the first half that forced Crimson Head Coach Mark Cook to bench his senior standout. This gave Champlin Park the opening it was looking for. Alexander used her quickness to snare a steal and go the other way for a lay-up with 2:18 left and then it was senior guard Kalli Zimmerman knocking down a "3" from the left wing with 1:20 left that allowed the upstart Rebels to go into the locker room at halftime with a surprising 26-21 lead.
Maple Grove would at least hang within striking distance in the opening minutes of the second half but they never could quite find that "burst" that Cook was hoping for. Part of the problem was that the Crimson simply couldn't get many of their numerous three-point attempts to fall on this night. The other problem was that the aggressive defense that Champlin Park was throwing really took the Crimson out of their rythm offensively as they just never looked smooth on this night. The other big thing was that the Rebels were doing an outstanding job of rebounding on both the offensive and defensive sides that limited Maple Grove's chances as well. Nevertheless, the Crimson were still in the thick of things at the 15:03 mark when senior Madison Ordner connected with a sweet shot off the glass that cut the Rebel lead to 31-27. But this young Champlin Park team coached by Doug Swenson would not be denied on this Thursday night. Sampson connected with a turnaround shot at the 14:39 mark and two shots at the charity stripe by Sampson at the 13:36 mark made it a 35-27 game that had Cook calling for a timeout. Did this faze the navy-blue clad Rebels? Hardly. Afterwards, Alexander made good on a lay-up at the 12:45 mark and after a free throw by the junior, junior reserve guard Genevae Adkins got into the game (and into the groove as well) as she connected with a long two pointer just inside the arc from the left corner at the 11:14 mark. Adkins liked that spot so much that, on the ensuing Rebel possession she camped out in the same spot; just a couple of steps back this time, and nailed a "3" at the 10:34 mark to complete a decisive 13-2 run that not only gave Champlin Park a commanding 44-29 lead but also had Maple Grove behind the 8-ball by now as well.
The Crimson refused to quit however, and they poured their souls in a valiant effort to try and claw back into things. Ordner got into the paint for a score at the 10:02 mark and was fouled in the process. The obligatory freebie cut the deficit to twelve at 44-32. Reserve sophomore Julie Hagert, who had an outstanding second half for the Crimson, did the same with 6:52 left that also gave Champlin Park's Sampson her fourth foul. Senior reserve SJ DeGroote got a lay-up in transition with 6:18 left that cut the Rebel lead into single digits at 46-37. Then it was Olzenak nailing a "3" with 5:38 left that cut Champlin Park's lead to 48-40. But just when it seemed as if Maple Grove might be on the verge of a miraculous comeback, their gas tank came up empty as they just never could quite seem to hit that big "3" or make that big "burst" that might have totally changed the complexion of this game. And the Rebels kept right on attacking inside and outside - and pounding the boards as well. Senior guard Alli Zopfi hit a huge "3" with 4:55 left that gave the Rebels a double-digit cushion again at 51-40 that they would hang onto the rest of the way. Moreover, Swenson had his team milking the clock for all it was worth under the four minute mark that would get the Rebels to the charity stripe often in the waning minutes. Even more frustrating for Maple Grove in the last few minutes was their inability to put down free throws that only made their situation more desperate. Two late scores by Hagert slimmed down the deficit a bit but the crowning touch for the Rebels was a lay-up by Sampson in transition with just under a minute left that finally sealed the deal for Champlin Park as they recorded a stunning 66-52 upset that has them heading up to Anoka this next Tuesday night for a semifinal date with the winner of the Roseville - Irondale game.
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