Out & About: Hopkins/Edina

#1 posting 3.10.2006

2AAAA Championship
Hopkins 36, Edina 31

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. Or is it "It was the worst of times, it was the best of times." The response to that question will be have different answers depending on what team you are talking to. Edina led by seven at half time 21-14, but Hopkins controlled the second half 22-10 and won the game 36-31.

This game also highlights what a college friend, Mark Glazer, stated and immortalized his theory in Glazer's theorem "In order to win a tournament, a team will play at least one bad half and survive it." Hopkins survived their bad half, Edina did not.

It was Edina's half in the first half as both Classic Lake rivals prevented the other from doing any free and easy looks. Even though Edina had a first half lead, that didn't mean that the offenses were run at high efficiency. Edina, after Grieg scored on the first possession, went into hibernation with their offense as they strung together 0/6 possession string. Hopkins also matched that 0/6 string. The difference was Edina missed five shots during their string, Hopkins missed four. Hopkins did string three possessions together and took an 8-6 lead on Hiebert's post up. Schurle later broke a tie with two free throws Hopkins led 10-8. For the next 8 possessions Hopkins did not score. Edina did string six possessions toward the end of the half and counting when they started their scoring string went on a 13-2 run. Laura Olsonoski had five points at the line, and Grieg scored four during the run. Abby Greene scored the final points to end the half with Edina in control 21-14.

Now it was Hopkin's turn in the driver's seat and Hopkins had to face Glazer's theorem. Hopkins did a couple of things that was noticable early on 1. they were more aggressive on offense as they forced a couple of fouls early on Edina. It was a race to the free throw line that Hopkins would win. Hopkins run stretching back from the first half ran to 10-0. Edina was in the deep freeze as every movement was a challenge. so #2. Hopkins increased the heat on defense. It was with 9:44 to go in the game before Edina scored in the second half. That made the score 24-23 Hopkins. The Royals proceeded to run off a three string and 7-0 run. Greene knocked down a three that seemed to deflate the hopes of Edina. Hopkins led at this point 31-23. Edina went on a mini 6-0 run to close the gap to 31-29. Hiebert bumped the score back to 33-29 with two free throws with 4 minutes to go. Then both teams went into 0/4 dry spells. Lauren Young made a key steal with 48.3 seconds to go and cashed in the lay up for a 33-31 Hopkins advantage. Hopkins milked the clock and Wilkinson went to the line with under 30 seconds left and made both tosses to have the lead at 35-31. Gaard missed a 3 with 19.9 seconds left. Hiebert rebounded, was fouled and made one with 12.9 ticks to go for the final 36-31 margin. Hopkins will now face the winner of section 1 either #4 seed Lakeville North or the #2 seed Rochester Mayo. Hopkins opens the state tournament at the Target Center at 4 pm on Wednesday.

player, points, possessions, pp100, floor %
Hopkins Player Evaluations
Abby Greene 7, 6, 116.7, .500 steady hand at the helm. quarterback, makes good decisions. kept team afloat. doesn't shoot much, but when she does delivers. dropped a back breaking 3 to push score to 29-23. RF: post HS speed.
Caitlin Rowland 4, 4, 100.0, .500 back from injury. still getting back into the flow. RF: took one shot that was questionable late in the game. time/score
Jillian Schurle 10, 15, 66.7, .333 strong defender good quickness, aggressiveness. strong figure. RF: Young was able to stop the Schurle drive. and took away some moves she prefers.
Jackie Hiebert 8, 13, 61.5, .308 getting more physical. cashing in at the free throw line. RF: foot work
Tiana Wilkinson 5, 4, 125.0, 1.000 strong, and like the entire Hopkins team doesn't beat themselves. Makes good decisions. able to get up. physical defender. RF: fouls may creep up.
Bench
Stephanie Sension 0, 4, 0.0, .000 RF: will need to step up in the state
Hanna Muegge 0, 1, 0.0, .000 provided defensive effort

Edina Player Evaluations
Starters
Megan Gaard 2, 8, 25.0, .125 RF: pressure in the second half got to Edina and Gaard. Shooting consistency, may take a step in.
Jenny Greig 8, 11, 72.7, .364 point guard, made some big shots in the first half. RF: post HS speed
Katie Gilligan 4, 3, 133.3, .667 does her job, more defensive in nature. RF: not offensive in nature
Lauren Young 6, 7, 85.7, .429 much more energetic. more aggressive offensively. challenged with more purpose. great defense against Schurle. RF: foul problems
Laura Olsonoski 11, 16, 68.8, .375 great first half. went to the line and cashed in. RF: second half choices, footwork, also post HS size for position.
Bench
Natalie Pastor 0, 3, 0.0, .000 speed to burn. RF: against bigger kids didn't get by as fast if at all
Trench player: all in all I will go with Greene tonight

BY THE NUMBERS
Hopkins 36, 46, 78.3, .391
Edina 31, 47, 66.0, .319
First Half
Edina 21, 26, 80.8, .385
Hopkins 14, 25, 56.0, .280
Second Half
Hopkins 22, 21, 104.8, .524
Edina 10, 21, 47.6, .238
I put these numbers in because the contrast was so vivid. And to highlight Glazer's Theorem
Bench
nada for both
Made Free throws: Hopkins 15 (9 2nd half), Edina 9 (2 2nd half) it shows aggressiveness and an attack the paint mentality. It also shows who has better footwork.

Next up: early morning left overs.