Out & About: MN Metro Stars Black/Iowa Elite I

#3 posting 7.3.2006
Your Daily Dose (or more) of Girls Basketball News and Information

This game took place on Friday, June 30
Dakota Showcase pool play
MN Metro Stars Black 52, Iowa Elite I 50

This was the tightest game at Sioux Falls with the game decided on the last possession. But it had plenty of twists and turns. Iowa Elite was down to four players the last few minutes and it still went to the last shot.

The game started off in favor of MMSB as they grabbed a 6-0 lead. In fact IEI didn't score until their 10th possession with 8:39 to go in the half on a steal and lay up by Jaime Printy. There were five missed shots in their first 9 possessions. MMSB matched them with their own 9 possession drought, but it was mainly misfirings that did them in. IEI got their offensive act together late in the half with a 5/6 possession run to close the half. They broke through the 9-9 tie to finish up 21-17 at half. Printy had 8 points to lead IEI, while Natalie Gigler also had 8 for MMSB.

Jenny Theisen ripped a three from the left corner on MMSB's first possession to cut the lead to 21-20. Lauren Young gave the lead back to MMSB on her post up. The lead changed hands five times before Micha Mims scored on a put back off of a Printy missed 3. Printy didn't miss the next time behind the arc and they had a 35-31 lead. MMSB tied it up at 38 on Gigler's 3 from the top. Katelin Oney scored on a conventional 3 to give the lead back to IEI at 41-38. Later she added a trey and they had a 44-40 lead. Two free throws by Krista Moser and IEI held their biggest lead at 46-40. On the very next possession for MMSB Queen made the front end of a free throw, missed the second, but Rachel Booth was there for the board. She kicked it out to Ana Garcia for a three and the game was back to a one possession game at 46-44. Oney missed on her drive. Gigler rebounded and she eventually scored to tie it up at 46 with 4:23 to go. Queen made one free throw and MMSB completed a 7-0 run to take the lead at 47-46. Printy was fouled on her drive and sunk both free tosses and IEI grabbed the lead 48-47. Booth scored one free throw after grabbing Gigler's miss to knot it up again at 48. Krista Moser fouled out leaving an iron five. But it soon became an iron four as Katelin Oney left the game with an injury. MMSB sent Garcia and Boylan to double Printy. IEI missed their next three possessions. Gigler scored off a pass from Garcia to give a 50-48 lead to MMSB. Queen missed a front end of a one & one and it gave hope to IEI. Ally Weaver tied it at 50. Garcia missed on a three for MMSB. Mims rebounded and after the iron four worked against five defenders Mims was fouled, but she missed her front end. Booth rebounded and MMSB set up the final possession with 37 seconds left. Queen and Boylan played catch out by mid court and then with time running down Queen took off for the basket and made the runner for the win.

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

MN METRO STARS BLACK
STARTERS
Courtney Boylan, Chaska 2, 3, 66.7, .333 point guard RF: quiet day for her
Chelsea Lyons, Coon Rapids 0, 2, 0.0, .000
Elle Queen, Minnetonka 5, 8, 62.5, .375 decent anticipation on perimeter. made the game winner, but RF: missed too many free throws when needed.
Rachel Booth, DeLaSalle 9, 8, 112.5, .625 big inside. got big time rebounds
Natalie Gigler, Champlin Park 18, 11, 163.6, .818 strong performance in and she showed her 3 range. Ran the floor in transition. worked the offensive boards.
BENCH
Alyssa Benson, Minnetonka 0, 3, 0.0, .000
Jenny Theisen, Champlin Park 6, 5, 120.0, .400 3 point specialist. RF: in HS went to the line more often, not as much in AAU
Ana Garcia, Hopkins 3, 7, 42.9, .143 3 range.
Lauren Young, Edina 7, 6, 116.7, .500 RF: I still want her to square up in traffic
Laura Kalbfell, Lakeville South 2, 1, 200.0, 1.000

IOWA ELITE I
STARTERS
Jaime Printy, Linn-Mar 13, 21, 61.9, .286 point guard has already committed to Iowa. good size, kept her team in contest. good passer. good leader. takes it hard to the glass. good anticipation on defense. but RF: shot was labored today, specially the 3s. Perhaps hurt by lack of players. did twist ankle in the game.
Micha Mims, Cedar Rapids Washington 13, 12, 108.3, .417 good body control RF: missed big free throw when the spotlight was on.
Katelin Oney, Cedar Rapids Washington 13, 9, 144.4, .667 3 range.
Danielle Calef, Cedar Rapids Prairie 2, 3, 66.7, .333 big perimeter player.
Ally Weaver, Iowa City West 7, 4, 175.0, .750
BENCH
Krista Moser, Cedar Rapids Jefferson 2, 3, 66.7, .333 lefty. RF: strangely silent. Saw her in the Iowa State tournament much more active.

TRENCH PLAYER
Natalie Gigler

BY THE NUMBERS
MN Metro Stars Black 52, 54, 96.3, .463
Iowa Elite I 50, 52, 96.2, .423

About as close as you want it if you are a fan. It was the best "nail biter" that I saw in Sioux Falls. This game also had the lowest totals for possessions for the games at SF. Looking at the course of the AAU Season MMSB had their best pp100 and floor % in this game. That is probably due to the fact that there has been more practice time, and players are better acquainted with each others movements.

IEI cashed in 15 free throws with MMSB only converting 7. In the key second half IEI made 11, MMSB 4. The thinking therefore is that IEI is more aggressive offensively and they aren't afraid of contact. Both squads nailed 5 3s on the day.

Looking at the roster I have no idea why 4 players for IEI were missing. They were missing a 6-3 post, a 6-0 forward, and some extra guards. The lack of depth did play a part in the game. Abby Rittenhouse was absent for MMSB.

In the height & weight contest MMSB won both with a 5-10.4 to 5-10 advantage with height, and a 148.3 to 139.2 edge in weight.

Photos will be on the way later in the week.
To find out more about this tournament go to the Dakota Showcase site.

Next Up: tomorrow with general news followed by two more games from the Dakota Showcase: 1. ND Prairie Shooters vs MN Summit; 2. SD Elite vs Iowa Elite II