Out & About: Centennial/Coon Rapids

#3 posting 1.27.2006

Centennial 46, Coon Rapids 43

No, that wasn't the half time score. Both teams came into the game averaging much more than the final score indicated. Centennial came in with 70.3 and Coon Rapids with 64.5. Both were held under their averages by 20 points. But I am not going to credit cellophane defenses.

Centennial, or Katie DeWitt, picked up right where they, or she, left off on Tuesday in the 119-93 game. DeWitt scored Centennial's first 8 points as she dominated the paint with quick turnaround jumpers. CR started the game off plain off as they were 0/7 with their possessions. Randi Hill, Chelsea Lyons, and Jazmin Townsend were working the weave up top hoping to break free for a lay up, or to set the tempo for the night. They achieved their goal with tempo. Centennial led 8-2. But CR stormed back with a 18-8 run. During this time DeWitt picked up her second foul and spent the remainder of the half riding the pine. Lyons provided CR with their first lead at 16-14 on a three. CR's biggest lead was 20-16 on a steal and lay up by Randi Hill. But then Centennial righted their ship to close out the half with an 8-2 run. Emily Becken scored six of these points including the drive at the end of the half to return the lead to Centennial 24-22.

Centennial was tied once at 26 in the second half, but held the lead thre rest of the night. But it was a nip and tuck affair. Centennial came up with four straight possessions with points in the middle of the half, an echo from Tuesday's accomplishments. They broke from a 32-30 game to 39-32 during this stretch. CR came back with a high low to Hudson, and, after no scores for each team for 3 possessions, Lyons scored off a lay up to cut the lead to 39-36. Centennial pushed that lead back to 7 at 43-36. Lyons missed a three then Centennial went to shut down mode. They were playing near the time line when Kellie Schueneman lost the ball and Jazmin Townsend scored the lay up plus one in the resulting scramble to make the score 43-39. Amanda Nygaard was fouled and made the first free throw, but missed the second. Townsend was fouled on the rebound and sank both free throws to cut that lead to 44-41. Kellie Schueneman missed her free throw. In the resulting half court action for CR, Lyons was fouled after rebounding a missed three. She made both free throws and the lead shrunk to 44-43. Joelle Waytashek was sent to the line, but she missed the free throw. This time Katie DeWitt grabbed the rebound and the next time Waytashek converted both free throws for the final margin. CR came down and never really had a good luck at the basket as they tried 3s. Another key rebound by DeWitt sealed the win for Centennial.

Height Matters: Coon Rapids 5-10.2, Centennial 5-7.8
Department of Defense: Centennial opened man, but also played 2/3 zone; Coon Rapids opened 3/2 zone, also played man, and 2/3.
player, points, possessions, pp100, floor %
Centennial Player Evaluations
Starters
Katie DeWitt 11, 13, 84.6, .462 Started strong. Finished strong. Is more comfortable in the paint. Made key rebounds on both ends late in the game. RF: fouls takes her off rythym.
Emily Becken 13, 12, 108.3, .500 took control when DeWitt sat. Point guard. Drove easily against CR defenders. Also worked boards. Nice pull back move. RF: Missed three key drives late after beating her defenders
Amanda Nygaard 5, 10, 50.0, .300 guarded Lyons and made her work for what she got in half court situations. RF: didn't have a great night shooting. foul problems
Kellie Schuneman 6, 9, 66.7, .333 RF: spacing, stronger
Joelle Waytashek 7, 10, 70.0, .400 went to the line often. Drove baseline. RF: strength
Bench
Megan Nipe 0, 3, 0.0, .000
Bridget Schuneman 2, 4, 50.0, .250
Nikki Anderson 2, 1, 200.0, 1.000
Centennial, as a whole, seemed to be more physical than CR

Coon Rapids Player Evaluations
Starters
Chelsea Lyons 15, 17, 88.2, .412 energetic, hustler. handled ball the most in the point guard committee. Gets nice and low when penetrating. Made CR's only three. RF: Floor % could be higher.
Randi Hill 4, 10, 40.0, .200 RF: shooting problems. Ball handling problems. could be more intense on defense. Foul problems
Jazmin Townsend 9, 16, 56.3, .250 moves well. nice shot at the line. RF: Took a while to get cooking. Scored five points in the last 1:30 of the game. Doesn't like physical contact. Will fade away when shooting to avoid it.
GiGi Hudson 5, 9, 55.6, .333 Active rebounder. RF: Decision making. needs to be a smoother shooter.
Alyssa Kallas 8, 10, 80.0, .400 decent shot from about 8 feet. RF: needs to go to the weight room. Better passing--stronger/quicker.
Bench
Michelle Syverson 2, 4, 50.0, .250 RF: shot selection, passing skills, ball defense.
Tara Mortenson 0, 2, 0.0, .000 RF: shot selection, size
In the trench: DeWitt for key rebounds, strong start.

BY THE NUMBERS
Team, points, possessions, pp100, scoring %
Centennial, 46, 64, 71.9, .375
Coon Rapids 43, 64, 67.2, .297
Bench: Centennial 4, Coon Rapids 2
Free Throws made: Centennial 14, Coon Rapids 10

Next up Saturday AM close to 8 am