Queezy Quarterfinals

#2 posting 3.15.2006

Today three classes played their quarterfinals. If you remember my selections I aced the AAAA test, missed one on the AAA portion, and got hit hard in the bracket busters in AA.

At the Target Center:
AAAA went according to script with St. Paul Central beating Elk River 58-48. The dynamic duo of Buford and Robinson scored 41 of Central's points. With 1:41 Elk River cut the Central lead to four, but duo went to the line to finish the game.
Defending champ Kennedy led the whole game against Armstrong in a 69-40 win. Kennedy kicked it into high gear in the second half outscoring Armstrong by 21. The best front line in the state (Smith, Steinbauer, and Robinson) came up with 55 of Kennedy's points.
Roseville beat Centennial 65-51, but they were the only team to trail at half time today, (take note field, don't trail at half, it is not good for championship hopes) and Roseville only trailed by two. The Roseville Trio combined for 52.
Hopkins beat Rochester Mayo 58-51 in the finale. Hopkins led by as many as 13 in the first half, but Mayo tied it at 33 in the second half on a basket by Hirssig. It was tight throughout the second half as indicated by a 51-49 Hopkins advantage with 1:48 to go. Hopkins closed out the game by making 7 free throws.
Kennedy will take on Central in the first quarterfinal game at the Target Center on Thursday evening at 6 pm. Hopkins will take on Roseville at 8 pm.

I was at the Pavillion watching the action here. I will be going into detail in later postings.
AAA
Looking at my educated guesses in this bracket, I got bit by game #3 Hermantown and St. Michael-Albertville.
DeLaSalle handled Willmar 61-45. I envisioned a tight defensive struggle. It wasn't that tight. It wasn't that much of a struggle. The game was broken open in the second half when DLS outscored Willmar by 13. Rachel Booth led DLS with 16.
Benilde-St. Margaret's made a successful return to the tournament after 29 years with a 53-40 win over three years old Rogers. Kachine Alexander led a balanced BSM attack with 14.
St. Michael-Albertville blew open a two point game at half with 39 second half points in a 68-52 trouncing of Hermantown. The fact was Hermantown looked like they were out of gas. Jodi Reinschmidt put on an outstanding show with 28 points and 12 rebounds. Miss Basketball candidate picked a bad time to have her worst game of her career with a dubious double double 15 points (on 24 shot attempts) and 12 turnovers. Everything seemed forced from Hermantown today.
In the last game Marshall beat New Prague 53-42, but NP won the second half 24-19. Macie Michelson led Marshall with 15.
Tomorrow it will be an all Catholic first game with DeLaSalle taking on Benilde-St. Margaret's at high noon. At 2 pm Marshall faces St. Michael-Albertville.

In the AA quarterfinal games at Target Center Crookston went on a 17-0 run in the first half and beat MACCRAY 62-50. Kamille Wahlin was the leader for Crookston with 21 points.

Eden Valley-Watkins lost to Albany during the regular season, but turned the tables under the lights at state with a 56-50 win. Krista Opheim, EVW's point guard and state's all time assist leader, added to her assist total with 12. This was a game that I incorrectly read the tea leaves.

Cannon Falls had a tougher time than expected with Esko in a 70-61 win. Esko cut the lead to one with 3:37 to go, but never got closer. CF placed four players in double figures with Cory Montgomery leading the way with 29.

And in another game that I had trouble divining, the Lutherans beat the Catholics 74-63 in a race horse game. Kristin Patterson put down 21 points for MVL.
This sets up the Friday night games with Crookston taking on Eden Valley-Watkins at 6 pm and Cannon Falls facing MVL. Since my bracket is busted on both ends I may have to give the kiss of death to two other teams. Sorry Eden Valley-Watkins and Cannon Falls, I have picked you to be in the finals.

POINT PARADE
AAAA
Amy Beggin, Roseville 25 vs Centennial 65-51
AAA
Jodi Reinschmidt, St. Michael-Albertville 28 vs Hermantown 68-52
AA
Cory Montgomery, Cannon Falls 29 vs Esko 70-61

DOUBLE VISION
AAAA
Jillian Schurle, Hopkins 24 p, 10 r----------34 vs Roch Mayo 58-51
Angel Robinson, St. Paul Central 18 p, 15 r--33 vs Elk River 58-48
Julia Hirssig, Rochester Mayo 22 p, 10 r----32 vs Hopkins 51-58
AAA
Jodi Reinschmidt, St. Michael-Albertville 28p, 12 r----40 vs Hermantown 68-52
AA
Cory Montgomery, Cannon Falls 29 p, 12 r--------41 vs Esko 70-61
Krista Opheim, Eden Valley-Watkins 17 p, 12 a-----29 vs Albany 56-50
Jenny Gilbertson, Winona Cotter 16 p, 11 r-------27 vs MN Valley Lutheran 63-74
Hilary Groothuis, MACCRAY 12 p, 11 r-----23 vs Crookston 50-62

Next up: Game #1AAA quarterfinals DeLaSalle/Willmar