Out & About: Dakota Hardwood Threat/Mpls Lady Lakers

#2 posting 7.25.2006
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this game took place on Saturday, July 22
Bloomington Jefferson HS
Adidas Mid America Championship 16u Gold Semifinal
Dakota Hardwood Threat 56, Minneapolis Lady Lakers 50 OT

DHT won the 15u tournament here last year and they escaped with a semifinal overtime win. They started off with two consecutive scores and a 5-0 lead. It eventually ballooned to an 11-2 lead as Alexis Yackley provided 7 points to lead DHT. MLL didn't score until their 6th possession and were 1/11 at the start of the game. They missed four lay ups and a pair of free throws during the sequence. DHT wasn't immune to poor performance as they had a six possession drought. MLL did put together three possessions in a mini 6-0 run to close the gap to 14-12. They had two baskets on put backs as they started to use their superior size advantage. Next it was DHT with a mini 6-0 run. It was part of a much larger 11-3 run to push the margin to 25-15. DHT was scoring on the 3 point line, penetration, and free throws. Like a see saw it was MLL turn to have a run, this time 8-1 to trail 26-23 at half. This time MLL was utilizing their speed with all four scores coming on transition lay ups.

The pace slowed somewhat in the second half. Each team had 38 possessions in the first half, DHT had 32 in the second half, MLL 31. Talisha Barlow scored on a transition lay up to cut the lead for MLL to 28-27, and it was Barlow again that bumped MLL into the lead for the first time at 31-30. DHT was in a four possession drought and 1/7 sequence. Kristi Ryan made two free throws to return the lead back to DHT 33-31. DHT pushed the lead to six at 41-35. That is when Kim Grant scored the next seven points for MLL and cut the lead to 43-42. In the home stretch DHT faltered going 1/8 in their possessions. This opened the door for MLL to take the lead and they did on two free throws by Chelsia Hooker 47-45. Whitney Lickteig made one free throw to cut the margin to 47-46. Barlow cashed in one free toss for MLL to make it a two point game with 1:50 to go. Yackley made the tying basket on a rebound off her own miss. Barlow had a chance to score for MLL but she missed on her drive. Malloy grabbed the board with 33.5 seconds to go. DHT worked for the last shot and Malloy's attempt was off.

MLL won the tip in overtime, but they didn't score on their first chance. DHT was gold in ot with four scores in four possessions. Yackley scored and was fouled, she missed the free throw, but DHT got the rebound. In the same possession Yackley scored again giving her four points in one possession and making it difficult for MLL to come back at 52-48. The rest of the scores for both teams were freee throws.

NUMBERS EXPLAINED
player, points, possessions, pp100, floor %

DAKOTA HARDWOOD THREAT
STARTERS
Alexis Yackley, Sully Buttes 23, 19, 121.1, .579 good vision, knows where everyone is, snappy passes. aware. Very good pull back move for shooting, the best I've seen in HS.
Sami Parvin, Winner 2, 4, 50.0, .250
Maggie Malloy, Parkston 4, 12, 33.3, .250 RF: didn't score from the floor
Nicky Rausch, Hoven 9, 9, 100.0, .444 3 range RF: over dribbled
Whitney Lickteig, Dell Rapids 3, 8, 37.5, .250 RF: tried to attack double teams forcing shots.
BENCH
Kristi Ryan, Highmore-Harrold 5, 10, 50.0, .300
#32? 8, 7, 114.3, .429 canned two 3s.
Teri Ver Steeg, Geddes-Dakota Christian 2, 6, 33.3, .167
#42? 0, 1, 0.0, .000

MINNEAPOLIS LADY LAKERS
STARTERS
Melanie Wigen, Bloomington Kennedy 8, 12, 66.7, .333 took charge. RF: too hard on drive with shot.
AunDreah Aune, Mpls Roosevelt 0, 11, 0.0, .000 took responsibility for a turnover when it wasn't her fault.
Talisha Barlow, Roseville 15, 20, 75.0, .400 did damage in the transition game, RF: needs to pick an angle on drives. needs to deliver consistently in half court game.
Kiara Stricklund, Mpls Roosevelt 6, 9, 66.7, .333 looks like a player. RF: needs to dominate and take over a game. I think she has that in her. balance
Jenny Ostrum, St. Anthony 6, 9, 66.7, .444 terrific boarder. good outlets to lead break. RF: foot speed.
BENCH
Chelsia Hooker, Park Center 4, 6, 66.7, .333 overachiever. RF: size
Kim Grant, Mpls Roosevelt 11, 8, 137.5, .750 under valued. Big player. can do damage. RF: may need some polishing, but is a specimen.

TRENCH PLAYER
Alexis Yackley

BY THE NUMBERS
Dakota Hardwood Threat 56, 76, 73.7, .368
Mpls Lady Lakers 50, 75, 66.7, .360

DHT had a huge advantage at the line making 21 to MLL's 12. Too often MLL was out of position and hence the fouls. MLL is strong in the transition game, but when it came to the grind out half court game was outpaced. The height advantage and speed advantage they enjoyed was not used. DHT had a strong point guard and kept her team involved even when MLL took the lead. This was the best I've seen MLL perform this year. And it was the first time all the main players were there and somewhat healthy.
Also it should be noted that Alexis Yackley also has played this summer with Northern Lites. This week she didn't play for them. I am guessing Kristi Yackley, the coach of the DHT may be mom.

Next up: later today the MN Stars vs East Iowa Slam 15u semifinals. and then a report from the MN Elite camp.