Out & About: Cannon Falls/MN Valley Lutheran

#1 posting 3.18.2006

MN AA Semifinal game #2
Cannon Falls 68, MN Valley Lutheran 58

Cory Montgomery destroyed MVL's undefeated season almost single handed as she scored 37 points. She had help in the form of sister Alex as she added 16 points. CF never trailed, and was only tied once at three. This sets up a Crookston vs Cannon Falls final. It also marks the first time since 1989 the these three coaches from four different schools are not in the finals: Mike Dreier from New London-Spicer, Myron Glass from Rochester Lourdes, and Ray Finley from Blake and Breck. The times they are a changin.'

Cory Montgomery made two 3s early. Korie Jackson made CF's first three. MVL played the 2/3 zone and didn't get out on the skip pass. The looks were too good to pass up. Also MVL did not pressure early. That may have been a tactical decision to save players from fouling out. Two eventually did. MVL had a 0/8 drought early in the first half and that cloud hung over MVL the whole game. It was a matter of just being a tad off from seeing the height difference for the first time. CF had an 8-0 run at this point. CF wasn't immune to the drought and went through 7 possessions with nothing to show for it. CF had a double figure lead at 17-7, but MVL quickly cut it to 17-13. CF had the game in hand, but could never really shake MVL. In fact other than Cory Montgomery it was a pretty sloppy game. CF had another 6 possession drought. MVL matched them with their own 6 drought at the same time. That meant the crowd got to see 12 possessions of either great defense, or poor execution on offense. Cory Montgomery had 16 points at half as CF led 30-23.

It was more of the same in the second half. Cory Montgomery would make key steals or key baskets whenever MVL had some faint embers of a comeback stirring. Early in the second half the margin hung around 11. MVL was able to whittle that lead down to 3 at 54-51 with 3:33 to go. If you haven't guessed by now Cory Montgomery stopped the bleeding with a layup and one as Amanda Dettman fouled her. The lead was back to six. It ballooned back to 8, but MVL wasn't quite done with their undefeated dreams. They cut it to five 63-58 with 1:19 to go, but Cory Montgomery answered with free throws. CF won 68-58 and will now face in Crookston in the unranked finale. It should be noted both teams were rated at some point during the year, with Crookston spending the most weeks there of the two.

Player, points, possessions, pp100, floor %
Cannon Falls Player Evaluations
Starters
Nicole Anderson 3, 11, 27.3, .182 RF: made unforced errors, as point guard need to use both hands and let game flow.
Korie Jackson 9, 15, 60.0, .267 nice shooter, likes corner shots, RF: doesn't handle the ball as well as I would think.
Amanda Schreyer 2, 6, 33.3, .167 RF: decisions, decisions, decisions
Alex Montgomery 16, 19, 84.2, .474 works the paint, lefty, as expected get boards. RF: even Alex wasn't immune to the turnover bug. In fact the four players listed above had 26 combined turnovers. If Crookston cranks up the heat I have a hunch they will finish unlike MVL.
Cory Montgomery 37, 22, 168.2, .682 huge night, and accolades should be given. Remember I saw her at CF vs Winona Cotter less than a month ago and she was dreadful. Now she is playing with authority and as if she is on a mission. Always came up with the big play to stop any potential MVL run. RF: does she have one more in her?
Bench
Julia Thompson 0, 4, 0.0, .000 RF: as usual, value the ball better
Amanda Moen 2, 3, 66,7, .333

MN Valley Lutheran Player Evaluations
Starters
Karissa Kramer 6, 15, 40.0, .200 has tools like speed, but RF: need to finish, especially layups, didn't hold follow through on shot. That hurt her consistency.
Kristin Patterson 20, 22, 90.9, .409 nice speed and made some nice shots, but: RF: get away from the finger roll when traveling in the land of the giants.
Amanda Dettman 2, 5, 40.0, .200 RF: fouls put her down
Kelsey Krohn 0, 1, 0.0, .000 RF: lost in the trees
Laura Hunter 12, 16, 75.0, .375 had some nice moves inside, but: RF: too few to make a dent.
Bench
Kristin Becker 4, 5, 80.0, .400
Cara Hanson 11, 12, 91.7, .500 came off the bench to provide a spark, but no one else caught fire.
Amanda Barrer 0, 1, 0.0, .000
Trench Player: Why even ask? Cory Montgomery hands down

BY THE NUMBERS
Cannon Falls 68, 80, 85.0, .388
MVL 58, 78, 74.4, .372
CF without Cory Montgomery 31, 58, 53.4, .276
Bench: MVL 15, CF 2
made free throws: CF 16, MVL 8

CF needs to take care of the ball. Others need to step up other than Montgomery sisters. It will be an interesting final, free throws will also be a big part.

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