Out & About: Benlide/Minnetonka

Tonight it was #9 AAAA Minnetonka hosting #7 AAA Benilde-St. Margaret's and people got their moneys worth with a 69-67 win by Benilde in overtime. Early in the first half BSM jumped out to an early lead (15-9), but Minnetonka went on a 15-0 run late in the half to go up 24-15. When the half ended Tonka was up 24-21. Both teams played man, and Tonka pressed, but BSM was not bothered that much. Minnetonka was more aggressive on the boards early in the game on both ends. When Tonka was on their run BSM did not get too many shots due to turnovers/violations.

The second half was for the most part nip and tuck from the 8:20 mark when BSM tied it up at 43. Minnetonka held the advantage until 1:35 left when Jessi Monk of BSM made two free throws. Alyssa Benson tied it up with 30 seconds left. Kachine Alexander of BSM then drew her fifth foul on a charge with 22.7 left. There was no more scoring, and the game was headed to OT.

Minnetonka took the first lead in OT with a Queen free throw. LaToya Williams tied it with her own free throw. Benson scored on a back cut from the left side to put the Skippers back up 62-60. Williams answered with two free throws. Queen gave Tonka the last lead with two more free throws. Eliese Hansberry scored a lay up plus one to give BSM the lead 65-64. Two turnovers later Lauren Comer made the second of two free throws to tie it. With 47 seconds Benilde took a time out and Monk scored on the out of bounds play after it for a 67-65 lead. Queen immediately tied it up, but, on the next time down court Sam Morgan penetrated the lane. The defense came up to meet her, and left Hansberry open on the left block for the game winner.

Benilde player evaluation. Alexander is speedy and explosive with good anticipation on defense. She had a couple of key steals late. However she also was out of control on the charge late in regulation. She had 14 all in the second half. She can slash, hit from the outside and even post up, but I don't see much of that happening post High School. She is now on the perimeter with Mpls Henry transfer LaToya Williams in the middle. Williams has appeared to gain a few pounds this year. It is hard to move her off the block. She sometimes does excessive moves when the simple move will get the job done. Her favorite move is the power dribble followed by a spin and a shot. She ended up with nine. BSM's leading scorer on the night was Hansberry (17). Most of her damage was done inside, but her height will limit post HS options. But the player that caught my attention after Alexander was Chanica Hall. Hall has some speed, can hit a three, and can slash.

Minnetonka player evaluation: Elle Queen is Minnetonka's first option. She had 23 on the night including 11/13 from the line. She can post up, but her natural position will be a small forward which will not be a difficult transition at all. Alyssa Benson had 18 including one three. She seems to be a perimeter bomber. She did have some nice back cuts late in the game. Lauren Comer hit some big threes in the second half and ended up with 13.

To pick one player tonight to be in the trenches: Queen.