Out & About: Bloomington Kennedy/Mpls South

#6 posting 3.9.2006

6AAAA Championship
Bloomington Kennedy 63, Minneapolis South 52

Kennedy will return to defend their state title as they broke the dream of an undefeated season for South 63-52. Jenna Smith made a statement tonight with 30 points as the size took care of the South press. South couldn't figure a way to shake Tayler Hill open from the box and one that Kennedy slapped on the Southerners.

Right off the bat Kennedy led with Smith providing the lead on a post up. South did have leads in the first half with the biggest margin coming at 7-4. They also had two other times where they were on top, but the box and one threw them for a loop. They had no plan of attack and stood around the perimeter without really freeing up Hill. Kennedy took the lead for good on Robinson's lay up 14-13. Kennedy played paint ball with either high lows or feeds from the side. One or another post stepped out South's zone could not contain or control the paint. Kennedy put together a 6 possession string and 13-3 run. Smith led it off with a three from the right corner. She had five in the string, and Robinson had six. South, in the previous games I witnessed put together strong closes to the half. That wasn't the case tonight. They were 0/5 to end the half.

South did put together a strong push at the start of the half with a 6-2 run as the score was 29-26 Kennedy. But Hill was still having problems finding an opening. Kennedy answered the run with a put back by Steinbauer. Steinbauer scored the first nine Kennedy points to open the half. South had a 0/5 run when the score went from 33-28 Kennedy to 42-28 Kennedy. Kennedy put together a strong closing effort with a 9 possession string. They ran their offense efficiently and milked points at the line or cashed in lay ups. South found their shooting eye late as Ephesia Holmes made three 3s in three possessions. But the lack of plan and the five possession drought ended the undefeated dream season for the Tigers. Kennedy moves on to play either the #5 seed Armstrong or the #6 seed Cooper in what is the battle of Robbinsdale in 5AAAA. That game will be on Wednesday March 15 at the Target center at noon.

player, points, possessions, pp100, floor %
Bloomington Kennedy Player Evaluations
Starters
Tasha Mrosak 0, 4, 0.0, .000 numbers may not be high, but defensively (the numbers don't measure defense) was the one in the box and one on Hill. Frustrated Hill and kept her off her game. Hounded harrassed and harried Hill (4H). RF: Will be need to score at least four points in the bigger games (semis/finals in state)
Kesha Brown 0, 2, 0.0, .000 RF: didn't play that much
Ashley Robinson 11, 10, 110.0, .600 good speed, good activity. can face basket, can play with the back to the basket. Causes match up problems on defense. RF: minisicule at this point
Tara Steinbauer 16, 14, 114.3, .571 came to life in the second half with 9 straight points. scored mainly inside. active boards. formidable front line. strong. RF: few too mention
Jenna Smith 30, 18, 166.7, .833 brought the A game. force power strength and speed. scores in scores out. can also share the ball. RF: not too many chinks in the armour
Bench
Shakila Boler 0, 2, 0.0, .000 RF: case of the nerves
Heather MacPhie 6, 4, 150.0, .750 doesn't make too many mistakes, does her part as a roll player. good athlete that also covered Hill when Mrosak had a break. RF: does her job and doesn't do too much. That would be on the other side of RF
Melanie Wigen 0, 1, 0.0, .000 RF: not much time at all

Minneapolis South Player Evaluations
Starters
Candice Butler 16, 11, 145.5, .636 South had good mileage out of Butler today. She gave more than average. scored from behind the arc. also penetrated. passing was maybe not as spectacular tonight but still was zippy. RF: body control
Ephesia Holmes 14, 12, 116.7, .417 canned three 3s in three consecutive possessions in the second half. RF: challenged the big girls on drives. not a wise choice. body control. decisions on passing
Tayler Hill 16, 18, 88.9, .389 had to scrape, scrap, and scrounge for everything tonight. still was able to score mainly on penetrations. RF: Did not break free for threes. that may have been due to the lack of an offensive plan against a box and one. did force some shots. not in the flow. still a talent and no one would ever think of leaving her out on the curb.
Hannah Cheese 0, 4, 0.0, .000 Able to get off the floor, able to get boards. RF: this is what post HS will be like if she stays at the inside position. Any challenge against the front line was a no.
Kiswana McCloud 6, 8, 3, 75.0, .375 was able to score against the best front line in the state. RF: still outsized and was also rejected
Bench
Hillary Rogers 0, 1, 0.0, .000
Trench: Who else but Smith?

BY THE NUMBERS
Kennedy 63, 55, 114.5, .564
South 52, 54, 96.3, .389
Bench: Kennedy 6, South 0
made free throws: Kennedy 20, South 7
Front Line: Kennedy 57, South 6
Back Court: South 46, Kennedy 6

Next up Hopkins Edina III