Out & About: Hopkins/Roseville

#1 posting 3.17.2006

Just my luck. Two great games, and the blog won’t publish.

MN AAAA semifinal game #2
Hopkins 58, Roseville 53

Hopkins got off to an uncharacteristic slow start with an 0/6 string to begin with and four turnovers to boot. Roseville took advantage only once on an Amy Beggin basket from an out of bounds play for their only lead at 2-0. Once Hopkins got the jitters out, they rolled big. They went on a 12/13 scoring string, the last 9 in a row. The machine was primed and every one felt the magic. Jackie Hiebert opened the scoring with a rebound basket. Everyone contributed on that 26-9 scoring barrage. Hanna Muegge off the bench knocked down two 3s for good measure. Wilkinson missed a layup off a spin move from the high post or it would have been 11 straight possessions. After that performance Roseville could have thrown up their hands and say it’s not our night! But from that point on they outscored Hopkins 37-28. To close the half they outscored the Royals 11-5 with Alison Nash-Gerloch leading the way with 6. It was Hopkins up at half 33-22.
In the second half Hopkins held the lead throughout. As Hopkins dominated with the 9 possession scoring string in the first half, they showed the other side of the coin with an 8 possession drought in the second half. Like at the start of the game five decisions, and executions fouled up the possessions, not a missed shot. Roseville closed to 47-40 at that point. Roseville started cashing in on the 3 bomb late, late in the game. Three straight times they scored on 3s by Beggin, Starr, and Beggin again. The margin did narrow to four with 7 seconds left after Talisha Barlow hit a jumper in the paint 57-53. Abby Greene made on free throw in the insuing foul and Hopkins advanced for a rematch of last year’s tournament finale.
The question is—did Hopkins have their Glaeser theorem mandated bad half tonight in the second half?

player, points, possessions, pp100., floor %
Hopkins Player Evaluations
I’ve seen these teams quite often, I feel I’m repeating myself. I will share new insights only
starters
Abby Greene 10, 9, 111.1, .667 I like the way she handles the team. Steady and ready
Jackie Hiebert 13, 14, 92.9, .500 I am impressed with the way she has improved this season. She is more physical and making a statement with her play and not shrinking away from the action, but putting her self right in the heart of things. Controlled the boards limiting Roseville to one shot only. Becoming more complete as a player.
Tiana Wilkinson 2, 7, 28.6, .143
Caitlyn Rowland 13, 16, 81.1, .375 May have forced some shots tonight instead of taking them in the flow of the action.
Jillian Schurle 12, 11, 109.1, .545 a quiet 12
Bench
Hanna Muegge 6, 3, 200.0, .667 dropped two 3s, not as shy about shooting.
Stephanie Sension 2, 2, 100.0, .500

Roseville player Evaluations
Starters
Amy Beggin 13, 19, 68.4, .316 not in the familiar point guard role. Outside shot has the hitch
Deborah Barany 5, 6, 83.3, .333
Talisha Barlow 14, 16, 87.5, .500 outside shot has a hitch. Prefers to take it to the glass. Can leap and bound.
Alison Nash-Gerloch 13, 16, 81.1, .438 a bit stronger than I remember. Maybe that was because I’m on the floor, maybe that is because a state championship berth is at stake.
Brittany Starr 5, 3, 166.7, .667
Bench
Kelsey Florian 2, 2, 100.0, .500
Trench player: I’m going with Hiebert. She came up big and controlled the boards limiting Roseville to one shot early in the game.

BY THE NUMBERS
Hopkins 58, 62, 93.5, .468
Roseville 53, 62, 85.5, .403
Bench: Hopkins 8, Roseville 2
Paint ball: Roseville 26, Hopkins 20

Of note to a certain select few. I saw the Ron and Deanna Podratz at the game tonight. We talked about the semis in 1996 when Osseo played Rochester Mayo in a barnburner. It is shame that the arena was not filled like it was then for tonight's great contests.

Also of note: a Roseville fan got on the court trying to inspire the crowd to cheer louder. Not the best idea. He was tackled by three security officers and led away. They were not soft and cuddly in escorting him out.

Next up if the blog will let me, will be in the morning.