Out & About: MN All Star Championship

#3 posting 4.23.2006

MN All Star Championship
4A 73, 3A 71

The 4s won the class championship for the fourth time, but for the first time since 2002, on Jillian Schurle's put back as the horn went off capping an exciting finish to all star weekend. It was the closest all star game final since 1988 when the Metros beat the Outstate 53-51.
The series began back in 1984 when the Metros beat the Outstates 51-50.

The 3s led from the start starting with Jessica Miller's 3. They opened an 11-2 lead with Anna Bjorlin closing out the first run with her own 3. The 4s took over and took the lead 12-11 on a 10-0 run. Jenna Smith had four points during this run. The 3s at this time were in hibernation on a 0/9 siesta. The 4s lead was not going to last that long however. After being tied at 15 the 3s regained the lead for the rest of the half on Amy Storer's drive to the hoop. The 3s eventually pushed that lead out to 38-30 to close the half. Tressa Beckel of Waseca had 10 points by half time. Jenna Smith did her one better with 11 for the 4s.

The 3s were hot out of the locker room with three straight scoring possessions and pushing their lead out to 46-32 the largest of the game. In that sequence Storer and Miller hit back to back 3s. The 4s started the slow road back with Amy Beggin scoring off of Jamie Jones pass. With about 10 minutes to go the 3s lead 55-48. The 4s cut it to 57-51 on Schurle's three point play off a baseline drive. Next 4 possession Beggin scored again off of a Jones pass. Storer went deep downtown to put the lead back to 60-53. With 5:43 to go Mindy Schmidt hit a 3 to give the 4s their first lead since the first half 62-60. After a Even free throw, Maria Boever returned the lead back to the 3s 63-62. Breanna Salley put the 4s back in front on a steal and lay up 64-63. Bjorlin drove past three players and made the lay up to return the lead back to the 3s. Megan Mileusnic scored on a missed shot by Miller to put the lead back to three 67-64. Schurle was fouled and canned both shots to cut the lead to one. Laura Nielsen answered for the 3s with a shot in the paint as Miller passed her the ball. Salley tied the game with her 3 from up top. With 45.8 seconds to go Salley scored again for the 4s 71-69. Jenny Van Kirk was fouled and she canned both of her tosses with 27.3 seconds left. The 4s worked it around and took a time out with 7.2 seconds to go. After inbounding the ball Abby Greene launched a shot from the right corner. In shades of the NC State/Houston NCAA game from 1983, Schurle was there to score the put back on the weak side as time expired.

Both games were down to the wire and the brand of ball was better today, maybe because the players had a tad better feel for what their teammates could or could not do.

player, team, points, possessions, pp100, floor %
4A PLAYER EVALUATIONS
STARTERS
Amber Connor, Rosemount 0, 2, 0.0, .000
Abby Greene, Hopkins 8, 4, 200.0, .750
Breanna Salley, St. Francis 14, 19, 73.7, .368
Mindy Schmidt, Champlin Park 5, 7, 71.4, .286
Lindsay Laur, Cretin-Derham Hall 4, 10, 40.0, .200
BENCH
Amy Beggin, Roseville 6, 7, 85.6, .429
Katie DeWitt, Centennial 5, 6, 83.3, .333
Jamie Jones, Irondale 6, 5, 120.0, .600
Jillian Schurle, Hopkins 10, 6, 166.7, .833
Jenna Smith, Bloomington Kennedy 15, 14, 107.1, .571

3A PLAYER EVALUATIONS
STARTERS
Tressa Beckel, Waseca 10, 14, 71.4, .429
Anna Bjorlin, Hermantown 5, 10, 50.0, .200
Maria Boever, Worthington 11, 8, 137.5, .625
Jordan Evan, Detroit Lakes 5, 6, 83.3, .500
Jessica Miller, Holy Angels 10, 9, 111.1, .444
BENCH
Jenny Van Kirk, Waconia 4, 8, 50.0, .250
Amy Storer, Hill-Murray 13, 9, 144.4, .556
Megan Mileusnic, Orono 6, 3, 200.0, 1.000
Tessa Gronli, Princeton 0, 4, 0.0, .000
Laura Nielsen, Willmar 4, 11, 36.4, .182

Trench Player: I may sound like a broken record, but Schurle gets the nod, not only for cashing in the money put back, but there is no wasted motion in her play, she plays within herself and gets plenty of results.

BY THE NUMBERS
4A 73, 81, 90.1, .432
3A 71, 81, 87.7, .395

All and all a great day for spectators watching the best players in the state. Everyone gave it their best shot and it mattered to these players. They were playing for pride and respect. The bigger the class this year the deeper the talent pool. Both games decided on the last possession and last shot. What a fitting way to end the "clash of the classes"

Next up: tomorrow with Thorpe, also a recap of the weekend--should post in the afternoon.