Out & About: Adrian/SW Star

#4 posting 2.26.2006

3A South Quarterfinals
#5 Adrian 96, #4 SW Star 86, OT

This was the only “upset” where a lower seeded team knocked off a higher ranked team. It was a game that had everything, comebacks, rallys, lead changes, white knuckled shots, clutch possessions. And efficient offense. Both teams smashed the records of the games I have been charting. This was the antithesis of the first game.

Brooke DeWall of SW Star scored the first six points for her school as they build up a 16-8 lead. Closing off the run was Shannon Hussong with 8 points, 6 on two 3s. But Adrian had just started what would turn out to be a seven possession string as they outscored SW Star 14-9. Adrian took the lead with Sam Lynn’s two free throws at 20-19. There were 9 lead changes and six ties including heading into halftime at 38. At one point in the half there was eight scoring possessions in a row switching off between each team. Adrian put together a six possession string of their own during this time. Dominating the scoring early for SW Star was Brooke DeWall with 16 points in the half.

Erica Thien of Adrian opened the scoring in the second half with a three 41-38. They maintained the lead but Linnea Henkels tied it with her own 3 from the top to tie the game at 43. Erica Thien answered right away with another 3 from the left corner. The Dragons would maintain that lead until 2:32 left in the half. Adrian’s biggest lead came at 65-54 with 8:36 to go when Kelsey Tjepkes made the front end of a free throw, missed the second, Erica Thien rebounded and the ball would work its way back to the sharpshooter as she dropped a three. At this point SW Star began a 19-7 run as they took the lead at 73-72 with Linnea Henkels two free throws. SW Star relied on the three during the comeback with Shannon Hussong, Sydney Place, and Whitney Pelzel all dialing long distance. Adrian regained the lead momentarily with Sam Lynn’s drive. Hussong found the range again with a three from the left side to make it 76-74 SW Star. Whitney Place added one free throw 77-74 with 1:11 left. Katlin Wiertsema scored off the block with 33.3 seconds left 77-76. Brooke DeWall put one free throw through with 21 seconds left 78-76. A missed drive by Lynn, a rebound by DeWall and foul with 4.6 seconds left put DeWall at the line again. SW Star took a time out. DeWall made her first, missed her second. Brittany Bullerman got the rebound for Adrian and a time out was called. Adrian had practiced such a situation the day before according to the coaches. They discussed how much time it would take and it was decided no passes after it was inbounded would work. Sam Lynn got the ball took a dribble to mid court and let it rip. It dropped in and the game was tied again. This time at 79.

That made three reinvigorated Adrian, and deflated SW Star. They were hurt by having Adri Rasche out with fouls. She fouled out with 10:30 to go in regulation. SW Star won the tip, but Hussong’s drive did not connect and Wiertsema rebounded and was fouled for Adrian. That would start a 10 possession string by Adrian with 17 made free throws. The Dragons would only attempt one shot in overtime and that was a three, but they got the offensive board to keep the possession. SW Star had four possessions without scoring. Adrian won 96-86. It was coach Randy Strand’s 300th career win.

Height Matters: SW Star 5-9.6, Adrian 5-7.2
Department of Defense: 2/3.

Adrian Player Evaluations
Starters
Emily Their 8, 5, 160.0, .800
Sam Lynn 28, 27, 103.7, .556 aggressive, not afraid to shoot, looks to drive, point guard, money shooter. RF: time and score situations.
Kayla Bullerman 2, 2, 100.0, .500
Brittany Bullerman 16, 15, 106.7, .667 worked inside, good positioning, RF: size post HS.
Katlin Wiertsema 14, 10, 140.0, .714 good rebounder, holds position, finds a way to score against bigger kids. RF: size post HS, but still young may grow.
Bench
Kelsey Tjepkes 5, 2, 250.0, 1.000
Jolene Residorfer 2, 2, 100.0, .500
Erica Their 17, 9, 188.9, .667 lefty, made 5 3s on the day, four in the second half.

SW Star
Starters
Shannon Hussong 19, 12, 158.3, .583 point guard, nice 3 shooter as she made five. Good decisions. RF: I would like to see more penetration, driving
Linnea Henkels 21, 17, 123.5, .588 strong second half with 15 points. Can hit 3. was the penetrator. RF: size post HS
Brooke DeWall 20, 18, 111.1, .611 hot early with 16 first half points. RF: thin, needs weight training.
Whitney Place 9, 9, 100.0, .444 another decent shooter. RF: strength
Adri Rasche 2, 4, 50.0, .250 RF: foul trouble=foot/movement on defense. Over the back
Bench
Whitney Pelzel 6, 3, 200.0, .667
Cali Mischke 0, 1, 0.0, .000
Sydney Place 9, 9, 100.0, .556
Breanna Rients 0, 3, 0.0, .000
Trench player: Lynn for money 3, money free throws

BY THE NUMBERS
Team, points, possessions, pp100, floor %
Adrian 96, 74, 129.7, .649
SW Star 86, 39, 114.6, .520
If we look at just regulation
Adrian 79, 64, 123.4, .594
SW Star 79, 64, 123.4, .563
In other words this was a special offensive show put on by both teams. Adrian has the new bench mark in pp100 and floor %. Both teams played within themselves. However Adrian did a better job of attacking the basket against the bigger SW Star team. SW Star had nice shooters, but never drew Adrian into foul problems like was done to them.
Bench: Adrian 24, SW Star 15
Made free throw: Adrian 34, SW Star 9. remember that 17 of Adrian’s free throws came in OT. Still it was almost a 2 to 1 margin for Adrian in made free throws. They were more aggressive in attacking the basket.
Earlier you read about Coach Schnaible and his work with the post players. It showed in the play of Bullerman and Wiertsema. They were able to score, draw fouls, and get position all day.

Next up Fulda/Hills-Beaver Creek