Out & About: St. Cloud Tech/Fergus Falls

Tonight's game took me to "Outstate" Minnesota and a matchup between Central Lakes foes St. Cloud Tech and the recent addition to the conference Fergus Falls. Both teams have been rated in the top 10 this season. Tech in AAAA. Fergus Falls #2AAA. Tech lost to Elk River in the quarterfinals last week in the ER tournament. FF lost for the first time tonight. This was the closest FF was going to get to the metro and the roads were dry.
St. Cloud Tech 45, Fergus Falls 31
Defense: both teams played man
Height: Tech 5-8.4, FF 5-8.6, smaller (0.2) wins big
THE GAME
FF won the tip and their leader Hannah Draxten connected on a three right off the bat. But that was all FF would hit for the next nine possessions. Seven of those possessions ended up as turnovers, which ended up as six points for SCT. SCT in the meantime, scored their first three possessions all of which were in scored in the paint. Draxten scored another three (she had five on the night) then SCT went on a 12-0 run for a 24-7 lead. FF went into another drought, this time 10 possessions of futility. It may have been contagious as SCT went 1/10 to end the half. FF did score twice before the half to cut the lead to 24-11. SCT coach Hagen was upset towards the end of the half when SCT threw the ball away. Hagen slammed the ball.
The second half started as much as the first ended. There was only one score in the first 13 possessions and Draxten and her three show struck again, and then again to cut the lead to 24-17. Terin Euerle answered for SCT with two baskets, one a drive, and one a pop from the elbow. FF cut the lead to 31-24, but Euerle answered again. The game hung around 11 again, but Fergus Falls' Krista Shalkoski hit a three to bring the score to 39-31. A SCT turnover gave the ball back to FF, but they threw it away with about a minute to go. Megan Foley, SCT scored on a put back to bring it to 41-31 with Foley and Euerle adding two free throws each
FF never really looked for anything more than 3s on the night, part of their offensive woes. SCT when they looked for paint points looked good, when they were working the three point line, they looked ordinary.
St. Cloud Tech Player evaluations
Jordyn Sears (14) point guard, wants to play faster then SCT plays. At times guarded Draxten giving away six inches, but Draxten never posted her up successfully. RF: Size
Megan Foley (12) worked the boards at both ends. steady player. RF: outside shot not on
Kristen Wolters (0) that's right zero. Spent most of the night guarding and being guarded by Draxten. RF: I don't know if she was ill, but averaging 17.6 points to zero is not consistent and not impressive. Did not really look to shoot. Missed some 3s early in the game and was never heard from.
Terin Euerle (14) cashed in her points from the elbows and back cuts. Stepped up her game to cover for Wolters. Did not start, but this is her second game in a row in double figures. RF: size for positon, but minimal this game
Fergus Falls player evaluations:
Hannah Draxten (17) big time player. The only FF player that knew the bottom of the net address. Rained down five threes on the night. Announced as a center, but brings the ball up. Had double digits in rebounding with 9 defensive according to my charts. Totally shut down Wolters as you can see above. RF: needs to develop a drive to the hoop. Only scored one two pointer a baseline shot just inside the three line. Also get fouled some, make some points at the line.
Krista Shalkoski (8) must be the second scorer (she is) because she took the second most shots. She too hangs at the three. RF: not to accurate from the three. Good shooters are short or deep, not left or right. Needs to be more active on the boards.
Kristin Brause: (6) did some damage in the second half for a stretch. Only real post up player FF has. RF: had a chance to make three free throws that would have cut the lead to 35-29 but did not convert.
The rest: cut down on your turnovers, develop some offensive spacing and score otherwise Draxten will have three players on her when she touches the ball.
Trench player: Draxten even though her team lost did the most of anybody on the floor.

BY THE NUMBERS
team, points, possessions, pp100, scoring %
St. Cloud Tech 45, 57, 78.9, .404
Fergus Falls 31, 57, 54.4, .228

These numbers are not very good for either team. I don't credit the defense either for the low numbers. There were many unforced errors, many questionable shots for both teams.

OTHER GAMES OF NOTE
Eastview 54, Lakeville North 43 in a reverse from the Rochester Finals
St. Francis 58, North Branch 57 in a North Suburban nail biter
Breck 71, Mpls Roosevelt 53 in a cross class battle