Out & About: Bloomington Kennedy/St. Paul Central

#4 posting 3.16.2006

MN AAAA Semifinal #1
Bloomington Kennedy 53, St. Paul Central 51

This was an outstanding game if you enjoy tight action, underdogs, and comebacks. Kennedy survived a bullet coming staight at them by the name of St. Paul Central. Angel Robinson was pulling the trigger for Central, but Kennedy got their act together late in the contest to survive to the next round. If Glaeser's Theorem is to be believed, Kennedy has had their bad half (or more like 3/4 of the game). Glaeser's Theorem states in order for a team to win a tournament, they need to survive their inevitable bad half.

Kennedy, at the beginning, was led by Tara Steinbauer. She was the only Eagle to find the bottom of the basket early on. She had 11 points as the rest of her teammates were struggling. They weren’t struggling from the floor as much as having problems with turning it over against the catquick Central pressure. They went 4 possessions without getting a shot off. Central took a 12-11 lead on two free throws by Angel Robinson. Kennedy, at that point, went on another 6 possession drought with only one shot taken during that stretch. The pressure was taking it’s toll. Central bumped that lead up to 16-11. Angel Robinson was doing everything except sell popcorn at time outs. Kennedy, being a defending champ awoke from it’s offensive snooze and put together five straight possessions and went on a 9-2 run to take a 20-18 lead. Angel Robinson immediately tied it up on a drive. Jenna Smith gave the lead back to Kennedy. Shayla Johnson gave Central the lead with a three. Central needed more from their role players and this was a needed shot. Smith was fouled as she scored, she missed the free throw and got her own rebound. Kennedy worked it around and found Shakila Boler open for a four point play on one possession. That brought the score to 26-23. Two Angel Robinson free throws cut the lead to one. Central closed off the scoring in the first half with who else? Angel Robinson and led 27-26 at half time.

Central opened the second half with an 11-4 run. After being held to one basket in the first half, Kiara Buford started to get into the groove. She scored seven of the points. Central led 38-30 at that point. It was their high water mark. Kennedy cut it to four at 38-34. The makings of the comeback were in the works. Central overachieved and hung on to slim leads, They did push the lead back to 47-41. Then Buford picked up her fourth foul and had to sit with 6:03 to go. Kennedy took advantage of her bench placement with a four possession string (the best in the second half, and 8-0 run to take the lead. Jenna Smith got the ball rolling with three straight post ups. Providing the lead change was 8th grader Shakila Boler. It would be a lead they would not surrender. That basket was scored with 4:23 to go. Smith added a free throw to make the margin three. Central went seven possessions with out scoring. Cyonna West broke the drought with a steal and lay up to cut the margin to 50-49. With 46 seconds to go Ashly Robinson scored on a layup from Steinbauer after a side line out of bounds play. She made the free throw and Kennedy led 53-49. Angel Robinson quickly answered with a jumper and that closed the scoring at 53-51. But there was plenty that happened in the last 33 seconds. Tasha Mrosak missed two free throws for Kennedy, but Central could not convert on their next possession as they had two cracks at it. Ashly Robinson rebounded and was fouled. She missed her two chances with 2.8 seconds to go. Angel Robinson rebounded for Central. They were trying to call time out but the horn sounded. Players rushed the floor, but the refs waved them back to the bench. The first time in State tournament history they checked to see how much time Central had when they called time out. It turned out to be .5 seconds. Central did get the ball in but no shot. Kennedy had survived the Angel Robinson bullet for a chance to defend their state title. .

player, points, possessions, pp100, floor %
Bloomington Kennedy Player Evaluations
Starters
Tara Steinbauer 20, 13, 154.8, .692 kept Kennedy in the contest as she scored the first 11 points for Kennedy.
Tasha Mrosak 0, 5, 0.0, .000 RF: defense is her trademark, but Angel Robinson escaped her clutches
Ashly Robinson 7, 13, 53.8, .231 can pass and one of her post buddies, RF: decisions on press.
Heather MacPhie 0, 1, 0.0, .000
Jenna Smith 16, 15, 106.7, .600 finished strong when she was needed to carry the team from the brink. powered comeback. RF: not the best start, may have been pressing and trying instead of doing.
Bench
Melanie Wigen 0, 3, 0.0, .000
Shakila Boler 8, 8, 100.0, .500 stepped it up and deliverd the go ahead basket. handled ball against Central pressure with good graces. RF: still young and will get better.
Brittany Zins 2, 2, 100.0, .500

St. Paul Central Player Evaluations
Starters
Cyonna West 2, 4, 50.0, .250 thisquick. RF: offense needs work, shot consistency
Angel Robinson 20, 14, 142.9, .714 commanding performance. had the shakes and bakes and delivered for SPC. hit pull up jumpers over the tall front line of Kennedy. when team needed her to shoot she canned the shot. when she drove and sucked the defense on her she dished it out for others to get the job done. did her part to put SPC in position to win. RF: not tonight
Kiara Buford 13, 14, 92.9, .429 flourished in the second half. hit big shots, took hits and delivered. Handled ball when Robinson was sitting. RF: some fouls that were not needed. She needs to be on the floor. It is much easier for five to guard one than it is five to guard two.
Cate Schafer 0, 4, 0.0, .000 RF: needs to deliver on offense something to keep defense honest.
Megan Howard 8, 13, 61.5, .308 doesn't play with fear against the Kennedy front line, she battles. RF: needs to keep out of foul problems and get fouled more often.
Bench
Natalie Schneider 2, 4, 50.0, .250
Abby Gust 3, 4, 75.0, .250 RF: needs to develop offense against man defense and not just be content to hit 3s in a zone.
Shayla Johnson 3, 2, 150.0, .500
Trench Player: I don't do this too often, but I'll take Angel Robinson for her top level performance

BY THE NUMBERS
Kennedy 53, 60, 88.3, .400
Central 51, 59, 86.4, .408
Bench: Kennedy 10, Central 8
Paint Ball: Kennedy 38, Central 24

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