4 Tournaments-4 Days/Day 4: Hill-Murray

Day 4: Hill-Murray
This day almost went on without me. The snow that hit the Twin Cities kept me from the first game and a half. After shoveling 7 inches of snow I was able to get out.

Game #1: Wayzata 57, Prior Lake 47
I did not attend this game. However my reliable source gives this run down: (reliable source will be highlighted in green)
Wayzata player evaluations:
Kelly Russ, Shooting Guard, outside threat, D3
Kat Myers, Shooter D3
Krissy O'Toole, very physical, plays with passion, D3
Kate Thompson, very very thin, quick, keep on radar
Prior Lake player evaluations:
Jackie Morgan, point guard, legitimate D2

Game #2: Coon Rapids 72, Duluth East 56
I arrived just before half as CR had a 30-28 lead. Basically the game broke open early in the half as CR went on a 9-0 run after DE had tied the game at 32. A couple of times DE was able to whittle the lead to six. Pressure got to DE as they had four turnovers during the 9-0 run sequence.
Coon Rapids Evaluations
CR players are all in the same type of mold. About 5-10 and lanky and athletic.
Jazmin Townsend (21) moves well, scores in and out, strong leaper. D2, good instincts, knowledge of the game
Alyssa Kallas (16) is the only 6-0+ player for CR. Did most of her damage in the first half. She scored on put backs, and ran floor well. D3
Chelsea Lyons (12) was the difference maker during the 9-0 run. In fact she scored all nine points. Tough nosed competitor. Defensive specialist, D3
GiGi Hudson (11) good leaper, inside force. D3/D2
Randi Hill (7) another tough guard. D3
Duluth East player evaluations
Marisa Yernatich moves well, looks to shoot 3s. Outside shooter, understands game, potential
Julia Rickert mountain in the middle, hard to move. RF: does not run the floor. Needs to lose weight, work on movement and speed
I did not give flags to these evaluations due to the fact I did not see that much with the exception of Rickert.
Trench player, or half a trench player Chelsea Lyons to pick a player. Pretty intense

Game #3 Mounds View 61, Stillwater 47
This game was played at the 80 possession level which in my estimation was about 30 possessions too many. Both teams would be better served working on taking better care of the ball, working on spacing on offense, and not forcing shots.
Stillwater's last lead was at 9-7. MV went on a 10-3 run to lead 21-12. Stillwater came close 24-23 and 27-25, but MV closed out the half 8-4.
Mounds View player evaluations
Anne Kuduk (21) takes ball hard to the glass, leader, when things were tough she had the ball. Active defensively, not afraid to get hit. RF: at times forced offense. D2, ability to handle the ball, good understanding of the game
Becky Rowe (21) scored in and out, also at the line. Active on boards. RF: again forced offense at times
Katlyn Merrill (11) athletic, aggressive RF: did not finish moves. D2 on athletic ability. Could be a defensive shut down specialist. not a great shooter.
Stillwater player evaluations
Colleen Kopel (11) biggest Stillwater player that played. active on boards. RF: needs more size at next level, and more weight. D3
Trench player Anne Kuduk

Game #4 Hill-Murray 73, Centennial 63
The championship game was all it was cracked up to be as it was a clash between #2AAAA and #5AAA. Hill-Murray's biggest lead (not counting the last minute) was four. Centennial led by six in the second half.
This was a knock down, drag out contest with similar sized teams. Both teams intense on defense. Both teams physical and diving on the floor for loose balls. Centennial opened scoring, but in the early going neither team found their rythym. HM did not score on their first four possessions. Then both teams got into the groove. Both teams were tied at 17 when the point spigot was turned off again. Centennial was 1/9 after that, HM 1/8. The offenses thawed out after that and HM led at half 28-26.
The second half was a doozy. Centennial scored their first four possessions and led 34-26 with Joelle Waytashek delivering the last four. But HM came right back with two three point plays: the old fashioned way with Tara Dillon converting after being fouled, then Natalie Holm hit from behind the arc to tie it at 34. The game was tied at 36, 38, 45. During this time both teams scored on nine straight possessions. Centennial's last lead came at 47-45. HM took the lead at 48-47 on Amy Storer's NBA hand in her face 3. HM pushed the lead to 59-53, but Centennial was not done. First Kellie Schueneman cashed in two free throws 59-55. After a missed one and one by HM, Katie DeWitt popped a three 59-58 HM. Two free throws by Dillon gave HM a three point cushion 61-58. This time Amanda Nygaard dropped three and it was tied at 61. Storer answered right back with another deep three and HM never looked back 64-61. Centennial missed on a drive in traffic, and DeWitt picked up her fifth with 1:47 to go. Eventually Nygaard fouled out as well. HM dropped free throws the rest of the way for the 73-63 win.
Hill-Murray player Evaluations
Amy Storer (23) tough competitor, money shots with defense draped all over her. Can elevate. RF: Size, if that, but it might be a case of "it's not the size of the dog, but the size of the fight in the dog." D2++ plays with unbelievable confidence, lefty
Tara Dillon (28) another lunch bucket, meat and potatoes hard nosed kid. Her jersey was drenched--a tribute to her work ethic. She scored in the paint and was able to do it getting knocked around. RF: post HS will need to be outside more, I don't know if she will be able to cash in against bigger folks in the paint. D2 small forward, big guard
Natalie Holm (12) active on boards, made a big three, posts well. Nice complementary player. RF: foul issues
Taylor Cross (8) off the bench, athletic instinct for the ball. Potential
Centennial player evaluations
Katie DeWitt (12) for the second game I have seen of Centennial DeWitt has been hampered with foul issues. She also is shackled to the blocks due to no classic post. However she feels much better at the three line and that is where she made a couple late when Centennial was trying to catch up. RF: speed level defensively. Needs to be on the three point line (not her choice). Belongs outside.
Amanda Nygaard (11) made a big three late in the contest. speed, intense. RF: foul problems, after her money shot three times down the floor did not deliver. size
Emily Becken (3) ran the show for Centennial, solid performance with the ball and decisions. RF: does not really look to create her shot. D3, point guard, knowledge of the game
Megan Nipe (10) off the bench instant offense. Athletic and looks to score. RF: needs more strength. Future leader, next player, high potential
Joelle Waytashek (10) corner shooter, also will drive. RF: again the strength issue. D3 outside shooter and scorer
Kellie Schuneman (10) again a balanced scoring threat, can shoot out. RF: size
Trench player: Amy Storer for hitting major shots when her team needed it and running the show. Top notch. Dillon you too are trenchworthy.

NUMBER CRUNCHING
Team, Points, Possessions, PP100 possessions, Scoring %
Mounds View, 61, 80, 76.3, .375
Stillwater 47, 79, 59.5, .291

Hill-Murray 73, 68, 107.4, .500 (2nd half scoring % .606)
Centennial 63, 68, 92.6, .426

Fresh Face
MN
Kate Thompson, Wayzata, G, 6-0, 2009

TOURNAMENT FINALS
Apple Valley
Hopkins 73, Apple Valley 55
Elk River
Mpls South 71, St. Paul Central 53
Hibbing
Hibbing 53, Mpls Southwest 49