Out & About: Roosevelt/Washburn

#3 posting 3.2.2006

3AAA Quarterfinals
#4 Mpls Roosevelt 64, #5 Mpls Washburn 59

In a fouled filled contest Roosevelt won the rubber game between these to Minneapolis foes and will advance to Hastings on Saturday to face #1 DeLaSalle. Roosevelt won the first contest 72-65, Washburn the second 57-53.

When the lineups were announced I was very disappointed. I came to watch Roosevelt with all their athletes, and Washburn with Patrice Thomas. Thomas was not starting and I didn't know why. Later in the game it became quite evident as she fouled out.

Washburn led the whole first half even with Thomas not starting. They scored on their first possession and built a 16-6 lead. Six of their points came off of steals and lay ups during this stretch. Roosevelt put together a 11-2 run to make the lead 18-17. The force that provided that boost was Kim Grant. Of the seven field goals Roosevelt scored in the first half, Grant had five. Washburn then went on a 12-5 run to close the half. Washburn finished the half with four straight scoring possessions with Thomas scoring on the last three. Washburn led at half 30-22.

Washburn continued their hot hand with three straight scoring possessions making it seven straight over both halves. They pushed the lead to 36-24, but something sinister was already at play. Fouling was becoming habit forming. Amanda Viehauser picked up #4 and went to the bench with 16:06 to go. Roosevelt was asserting itself and attacking the basket with authority. With 15:27 to go Thomas also picked up #4. With both the big guns from the Millers sitting Roosevelt all of a sudden became much more enthusiastic and played with a lot more energy. Thomas returned to the game with 14:53 to go, She was done at 14:32 on an offensive foul that involved a post up and turn with the Roosevelt player falling. Washburn faithful thought it was more of a flop a la Dennis Rodman, but the result was Washburn's best player was done.

With all the foul problems Roosevelt went on a 12-0 run. Part of the run was fueled by a plethora of turnovers as Washburn had problems with the pressure. Washburn had one last lead on a conventional three point play by Jennifer Castillo 39-36. The last time Washburn had the game tied was at 41. Roosevelt scored the next eight points to take a 49-41 lead. Strickland provided six of those points. Then there was a flury of scoring with both teams trading scoring honors for eight possessions. The upshot was Roosevelt led 55-48. During that flury Washburn's Castillo fouled out making it #2. Joining her on the pine but on the other side of the gym was Marshall with five fouls. She was soon joined by Helene Thompson as Viehauser made two free throws to cut the lead to five.

The lead hung around that number with a 58-53 Roosevelt lead. Washburn had two possessions where they didn't covert due to two turnovers. Roosevelt wasn't scoring either. Liz Shay scored for Washburn to cut the lead to 58-55 with 3 minutes to go. Again Roosevelt failed to score on their next three possessions, but Washburn also matched that total all due to turnovers. Liz Shay picked up foul five and joined her other two teammates. Kalimah Newson-Duvall added two free throws for Roosevelt 60-55. It was Roosevelt's turn to have someone foul out and it was Strickland to go. Viehauser make both free throws 60-57. A travel call on Cooper put the ball back in Washburn's hands. A foul put Viehauser at the line again with 18 seconds left. She made the first and missed the second on purpose, but Roosevelt's Cooper rebounded, was fouled, and knocked both free throws down for a 62-58 lead. The strange thing on Washburn's next possession. #31 (The program did not identify a #31) was fouled with one second ticked off like it was Roosevelt that was desperate to foul. They had the lead. Only one free throw was made for a 62-59 lead. Cooper added the last two free throw for a 64-59 final.

Height Matters: Roosevelt 5-10.8, Washburn 5-9.4
Department of defense: Roosevelt man, with full court press. Washburn had 3/2, 2/3, and 1/2/2 half court trapping.

player, points, possessions, floor %
Minneapolis Roosevelt Player Evaluations
Starters
Kaja Cooper 14, 17, 82.4, .412 steady performer that didn't foul out. point guard, didn't get rattled. experienced with North. RF: still had turnovers but didn't look panicky doing it.
AunDreah Aune 6, 11, 54.5, .273 likes to shoot 3s. RF: did panic some with pressure.
Kiara Strickland 17, 21, 81.0, .429 when she wanted to she took over. lefty, passing can be nifty at times. RF: but at other times careless with the ball. foul problems. Appeared as if she didn't care at times.
Kim Grant 12, 11, 109.1, .545 another steady performer and force inside. strong, focused, decent hands. RF: quick feet.
Kalimah Newson-Duvall 5, 5, 100.0, .600 RF: not a great decision maker with the ball
Bench
Helene Thompson 8, 8, 100.0, .625 active, quick: RF: shot selection/time& score. Fouls
Courtney Stingley 0, 1, 0.0, .000
Charmel Marshall 2, 6, 33.3, .167

Minneapolis Washburn Player Evaluations
Starters
Aria Walker 0, 1, 0.0, .000
Jennifer Castillo 10, 11, 90.9, .545 weaseled in among the big trees for points. RF: fouls, strength
Amanda Viehauser 9, 9, 100.0, .556 prefers the 3 line. Kept Washburn afloat when Thomas was done. RF: doesn't like contact. fades on shot. foot speed. foul problems
Liz Shay 12, 23, 52.2, .261 another that likes the 3 but never got a look against the man. RF: not speedy, or handles pressure well. decisions were forced.
Natasha Phelps 8, 11, 72.7, .455 quietly does interior work. RF: size for post
Bench
Morgan Solomon 1, 5, 20.0, .200
Patrice Thomas 13, 10, 130.0, .700 the francise. handles ball to keep the team moving forward. competitive, intense. Active. RF: the fouls were not the best decisions. she should know the situation and what is called for. It was the coach that put her in the game, but forcing the issue backfired.
Alex Shuford 2, 1, 200.0, 1.000
Jermisha Watson 1, 8, 12.5, .125 Thrown into the fire as a 7th grader. RF: extremely young without varsity experience in a big time game.
#11 0, 1, 0.0, .000
Trench player: I'll have to say Cooper for her handling the pressure. She did make 8 straight free throws in the second half. Also she was about the last one standing.

BY THE NUMBERS
Roosevelt 64, 80, 80.0, .425
Washburn 59, 80, 73.8, .413
Washburn with Thomas 31, 36, 86.1, .444
Bench: Washburn 17, Roosevelt 10
Made Free throws: Roosevelt 26, Washburn 17

In 1AAA #1 Waseca was dumped by #8 Lakeville South 72-59. They now have a very good shot at getting into the state tournament as a first year school. They beat #2 New Prague earlier in the year.
More analysis tomorrow morning.

Next up: a recap of Thursday night games