Out & About: Becker/St. Paul Central

#3 posting 8.7.2006
your daily dose of girls basketball news & information

this game took place on Saturday, August 5
St. Benedict's College, St. Joseph, MN
Sweet 16 first round game
Becker 52, St. Paul Central 46

In what was the marquee match up in the opening rounds the young Becker squad dropped SPC 52-46. Both teams had long periods of not scoring, but St. Paul Central did not score the entire third quarter. It was an 18 possession drought going back into the second quarter. They were able to score to start the fourth as Theairra Taylor knocked down a 3 from the left corner.

Becker scored on their first possession as they pounded it inside. Nicole Mastey was fouled and sank both free throws. SPC didn't score until their fourth possession on recent Minnesota verbal Kiara Buford's transition lay up and free throw. Neither team had any string going. They only strings were of the drought variety. Becker had a 7 possession drought with four turnovers in the mix during the SPC press. SPC's drought was a fiver twice with another Buford transition lay up, the free throw was missed that time. So SPC finished the 1st quarter (9 minute quarters) 1/11. Becker led 14-9.

The action picked up in the second quarter. Becker scored on four of their first five possessions, SPC three of their first four. When the dust had settled Becker was up 23-17. They then endured another 7 possession drought. SPC feasted in during that stretch rattling off six straight scoring possessions on a 12-0 run. Buford had six during the outburst, all on transition lay ups. Four of the points were the result of the press, but some transition baskets were the result of missed Becker shots that were outletted quickly. At the half it was SPC 31-28.

The third saw the epic SPC drought. Becker's zone stymied SPC, but the biggest factor in the drought was the absence of Angel Robinson. She picked up her fourth early in the half and had to grab some pine. There were no transition attempts made by SPC in the 3rd. Becker regained the lead on their 5th possession of the half on Nicole Mastey's post up. They returned to her for the next possession and she delivered again. For the next 23 possessions combined Becker scored once (Becker possession #8). SPC had no scores for 17 straight in the quarter. Becker finished the quarter with 8 straight no scores. Becker led after three 37-31.

For some reason on the score board SPC was given two points to start the fourth. The fact of the matter is both teams had too many points. Both SPC and Becker had one more point according to my numbers. As stated before Taylor hit a three from the left corner now the score was 38-36. SPC edged closer at 40-41 on Taylor's put back, but Brianna Mastey made two free throws on the next possession. The game alternated between a one/three split with each team scoring on each possession until it was 47-45 Becker. Both teams failed to convert for a combined five possessions. Angel Robinson tied the game with two free throws after being fouled on a drive. Brianna Mastey made the second free throw two possessions later to give Becker the lead for good. Buford's pass went to Stemper. As they wasted time Stemper took the ball from midcourt right to the basket and it was now a 50-47 game. Buford missed on a drive, but Cyonna West got the rebound. Angel Robinson missed on her chance. Becker had the ball with 1:08 to go. Stemper was fouled by Buford, who fouled out, and made both for a 52-47 lead. Abby Gust's 3 attempt was off. This time the delay action by Stemper resulted in a turnover. Kyanna Johnson took the next SPC shot which was off. Jessie Althoff was fouled and made the second free throw to make it 53-47 on the scoreboard. That finished the scoring.

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

BECKER
STARTERS
Rachel Gilbert 2, 7, 28.6, .143 point guard, smallest of the Becker bunch. RF: spin dribble got her in trouble. at times when dribbling elbow out too far.
Rey Robinson 4, 9, 44.4, .222 left handed, big perimeter player. 3 range. RF: needs a little more polish on ball handling.
Shelly Stemper 9, 13, 69.2, .308 energetic. has run some point in her day. hit a 3. plays with courage. RF: passes with too much energy at times. over throws.
Nicole Mastey 8, 6, 133.3, .667 twin sister of Brianna. Improving quite a bit.
Brianna Mastey 21, 22, 95.5, .455 good frame, good leaper. will be either a 3 or 4, but my guess is 3. uses body well. at times ran the point. main boarder with 8 on the day. RF:
BENCH
Alex Crapser 3, 2, 150.0, .500 3 range.
Jessie Althoff 4, 5, 80.0, .600 another big body inside. RF: not enough time
#5 0, 1, 0.0, .000
#53 0, 2, 0.0, .000
#4 0, 1, 0.0, .000
#13 1, 1, 100.0, 1.000
#11 0, 3, 0.0, .000

ST. PAUL CENTRAL
STARTERS
Angel Robinson 9, 14, 64.3, .357 had 7 defensive rebounds to lead SPC, but sat for the 3rd. Having your point guard lead in rebounds is not a good sign for the other four players. her value and constant is defense, she was a pest all day. RF: foul troubles, not herself offensively today. some of her teammates not ready for the ball.
Abby Gust 2, 8, 25.0, .125 perimeter shooter. RF: 3 shot was short
Theairra Taylor 10, 13, 76.9, .308 has athletic talent. great anticipation had 5 steals on the day. RF: needs to develop left hand. did a better job getting her shots in today, but still can be a bit more aggressive when it comes to looking for shots.
Kiara Buford 22, 22, 100.0, .455 makes her living in transition, 12 points scored this way. good jumper. RF: careless passes. needs to gain strength. needs to clean up ball handling.
Megan Howard 3, 6, 50.0, .167 big body inside. RF: foul issues. needs to finish inside.
BENCH
Jessica Bartz 0, 2, 0.0, .000
Kyanna Johnson 0, 5, 0.0, .000 back up point. RF: ran point when Robinson was in at times which puzzled me.
Cyonna West 0, 2, 0.0, .000 defensive wiz. speedy
Samantha Robinson-Ricks 0, 1, 0.0, .000

TRENCH PLAYER
Brianna Mastey

BY THE NUMBERS
Becker 52, 72, 72.2, .361
St. Paul Central 46, 73, 63.0, .288

These pp100 numbers will not get teams to the state tournament in March. Without the practice time, execution will be hit and miss, and in the summer that means more miss than hit.
SPC didn't play with the sense of urgency required for this tournament. Becker was on a mission. The perception was Becker cared more.

Next up: later today the other first round game from the Sweet 16: Minneapolis Roosevelt/Kingsland.