Out & About: Crookston/Eden Valley-Watkins

#5 posting 3.17.2006

MN AA Semifinal game #1
Crookston 61, Eden Valley-Watkins 54

Crookston had an outstanding first half and survived the second in advancing to the finals in a 61-54 over Eden Valley-Watkins. The 08s of Crookston were clicking in the first half to the tune of 45-30. EVW wasn't that off, it was the Crookston was plain on. If Crookston had 100 possessions at the first half rate they would have 145 points. This was a strong efficient offense with more than one kid cashing in. The player that caught the fans attention was Kamille Wahlin. The Crookston point guard had the game under control that first half with smooth shots, and clear decisions. EVW had a 3-2 lead and that was it for the night. Crookston put together two strings of five, and they also had strings of four in the first half. They were scoring at a .645 clip. EVW also was performing effectively led by the dynamic duo of Krista Opheim and Hannah Linz. Linz had 17 thanks to the Opheim set ups.

As strong as Crookston was in the first half, they were pretty flat out off in the second half, especially early on as they started off 0/10. The EVW zone confused them. They had three turnovers all of the first half, in the 0/10 string they had four turnovers. EVW went on a 9-0 run at this time. Wahlin was the only Crookstoner to score during the first 9 minutes. She had six while the others had nothing. EVW was pretty steady all night cut the lead twice to three the last time at 55-52 with 2:19 to go. Crookston then scored their last three possessions with Wahlin finishing up with four free throws. EVW's Linz ended the scoring as usual, on a pass from Opheim. Crookston moved on 61-54.

player, points, possessions, pp100, floor %
Crookston Player Evaluations
Starters
Kamille Wahlin 25, 21, 119.0, .619 smooth, nothing forced, good vision. good decisions, good hang time, nice stroke, decent speed. point guard, coach on the floor. good elevation. RF: not too much to complain about.
Sydney Epema 10, 9, 111.1, .444 good stroke from the arc,
Macy Hanson 2, 3, 66.7, .333
Danielle Gasper 0, 1, 0.0, .000
Taylor Davis 6, 9, 66.7, .333
Bench
Molly Simmons 10, 12, 83.3, .333 popped on the arc for two. RF: decisions, consistency
Allison Schumacher 2, 2, 100.0, .500
Brea Aamoth 6, 2, 300.0, 1.000 look at the pp100 number, 300--no wasted possessions here.

Eden Valley-Watkins Player Evaluations
Starters
Hannah Linz 34, 22, 154.5, .682 outstading performance. scored in side on post ups, scored on transition, scored on 3 bombs. scored, scored, scored.
Krista Opheim 7, 14, 50.0, .286, savvy all time assist maker in the state, knows where teammates are. RF: forced some things, size post HS
Jena Albright 0, 2, 0.0, .000
Amber Junker 7, 15, 46.7, .267 RF: did not deliver, needs consistency.
Dani Babbitt 4, 3, 133.3, .667
Bench
Megan Stommes 2, 2, 100.0, .500
Ellen Becker 0, 1, 0.0, .000
Trench Player: Good performances abound. Wahlin hits the mark.

BY THE NUMBERS
Crookston 61, 59, 103.4, .525
Eden Valley-Watkins 54, 59, 91.5, .390
Bench: Crookston 18, EVW 2
Made Free throws: Crookston 13, EVW 13. Wahlin made 11 free throws. They will need more players cashing in at the line in the title game.

Did Crookston get through their mandated Glaeser's Theorem test? EVW did outscore them by 8 in the second half. We will find out tomorrow. Crookston will need to put two good solid halves together. They will need to pressure Cannon Falls (they beat #2 MVL 68-58) all over the floor. They will need to control the boards. They gave away 34 to one player tonight and survived. They won't tomorrow if they do it again.

Next up Cannon Falls vs MVL...I know the suspense is ruined.