Out & About: MN Stars Schmitz/East Iowa Slam

#3 posting 7.25.2006
your daily dose of girls basketball news & information

this game took place on Sunday, July 23
Bloomington Jefferson HS, MN
Adidas Mid America Championships 15u Semifinals
MN Stars Schmitz 67, East Iowa Slam 65

MSS scored the first two times they touched the ball and I had the feeling it was going to be a route. But EIS did not go away. They came out and cut the lead to 5-4. To start the game there was scoring on 5/8 possessions. Then came a nasty dry spell where both teams combined were 1/16. The only score coming on MSS's Ali Schwartzwald's pull up jumper. MSS found its groove were 5/6 in their possessions building the lead at 17-10. MSS scored on three transition lay ups in the outburst. Then MSS had a five possession drought. EIS had a 7 drought right before. EIS's coach was frustrated and picked up a technical at this point. MSS built their largest lead to 31-20. But EIS had a three possession scoring spree led by Barbara Williams with six straight points. A basket by Dally right before half had MSS up 33-26.

Williams scored on the first possession, a put back to make it 8 straight points for EIS. Candis Kertson scored on the next possession and EIS was down 33-30. They took there first lead at 36-35 on Rachel Klaren's three. Klaren was hot during this stretch scoring 10 points in 8 EIS possessions. Klaren herself was 4/5 during the stretch and EIS had their biggest lead at 50-46. Abby Weiss cut that in half with a trey from up top, and then tied it with another. She started a four possession run as Brianna Mastey later added two free throws to regain the lead, and then cleaned up on a rebound. EIS at the same time was on a four possession drought. With MSS up 54-50 it was EIS's turn to comeback. They were only able to get to two, but it was always a four/two split. However they did tie it at 65 all on Eisha Berry's drive to the glass. On the next MSS possession Sarah Hintz was fouled as she scored. She missed the free throw and Klaren's desperation 3 at the buzzer was off the mark.

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

MN STARS SCHMITZ
STARTERS
Abby Weiss, Martin County West 12, 8, 150.0, .500 key 3s saved the day for MSS. called on to shoot the technical in the first half. RF: quickness
Ali Schwartzwald, St. Francis 14, 15, 93.3, .467 becoming more confident in her role. decent perimeter shooter. another with a good pull up shot.
Jessica Thone, Woodbury 6, 6, 100.0, .500 another transition scorer.
Sarah Hintz, Woodbury 2, 3, 66.7, .333 scored under pressure. RF: missed the icing on the cake free throw.
Briana Mastey, Becker 14, 13, 107.7, .615 force inside, good ball handling skills. cleaned up a lot off misses by teammates. nice pull up jumper. would do well post hs 3.
BENCH
Marissa Yernatich, Duluth East 7, 7, 100.0, .429 can hit the 3. transition favorite. RF: short on shot at times. use more legs.
Ashley Allevan, Fairmont 5, 8, 62.5, .375 scored on transition and a put back.
Sam Mehr, Eastview 2, 2, 100.0, .500 back up point guard
Nicole Mastey, Becker 2, 2, 100.0, .500 very few possessions today. RF: not as aggressive or polished as her sister.
Brittany Weise, St. Michael-Albertville 2, 3, 66.7, .333
Stacey Dally, White Bear Lake 2, 4, 50.0, .250

EAST IOWA SLAM
STARTERS
Eiesha Berry, Dubuque Sr, 5, 7, 71.4, .429 speedy point guard. Took it hard to the glass in closing seconds. not afraid to go into the land of giants. RF: size
Rachel Klaren, Dyersville Beckman 20, 17, 117.7, .471 great shooter, can't leave her open. moves well without the ball, back cuts well. also passes well, but not a pg.
Katie Flogel, Marquette 4, 5, 80.0, .400
Candis Kertson, Dubuque Sr., 8, 9, 88.9, .444 scored in transition.
Barbara Williams, Dubuque Sr., 18, 19, 94.7, .474 big rebounder. has a nose for ball. energy/desire definitely there. likes to block shots. RF: needs some polishing. Footwork.
BENCH
Juanita Robinson, Dubuque Sr., 2, 9, 22.2,. .111 the baby of the bunch only going into 8th grade. a lot of energy, good instincts, RF: game experience.
Megan Shultz, Dubuque Sr., 6, 3, 200.0, 1.000 likes transition game.
Cori Lieb, Dubuque Sr., 2, 2, 100.0, .500 sub 5-0. scored on a drive in the half court game. RF: did I mention sub 5-0.

TRENCH PLAYER
Briana Mastey

BY THE NUMBERS
MN Stars Schultz 67, 71, 94.4, .465
East Iowa Slam 65, 71, 91.5, .437

Looking at the bodies before the game I expected MSS to walk away with it. EIS proved to be a scrappy bunch and could hit big shots when needed. This was the best I have seen MSS play all year as they topped the 90 pp100 mark and they were about 80 points better that the .380 floor % earlier this season. It would be interesting to see them match up now with the other 15s in the state.

Next up: later tonight after I take a look at the MN Elite camp.