Out & About: North Tartan Blue/Mpls Lady Lakers

#3 posting 8.1.2006
your daily dose of girls basketball news & information

This game took place in the oven called Bloomington Kennedy
July 30, 2006 North Tartan Meltdown
Red Bracket Semifinals

North Tartan Blue 56, Minneapolis Lady Lakers 53, overtime

Two evenly matched teams played an extra session with the hosts coming out on top. NTB trailed by as many as 9 with 7 possessions left fourth quarter.

Both teams were ready to go as the Lakers led 13-10 after ten total possessions. MLL scored on six of their first seven possessions. Barlow knocked down two 3s from the right corner in consecutive possessions as they built a 13-6 lead. NTB was 5/6 with Townsend and Ewert each scoring four in consecutive possessions. MLL led the entire quarter and was up 20-17 at the break.

MLL had a five possession drought extending over two quarters, but NTB only inched up by two points. MLL built the lead up to 24-18. It was at that point NTB rattled off five consecutive scores on an 8-2 run to tie it all up 26. Zelinsky tied it up with two free throws. NTB then failed to score on the next four possessions while Barlow scored on a put back and a full court drive with less than five seconds to go. It was 30-26 at half.

NTB scored the first three times they had the ball in the second half. They took the lead 31-30 on a high low play from Ewert to Katie Haas. Both teams traded baskets and the Lakers took the lead for the rest of the half on Barlow's 3 at 35-33. NTB took the rest of the quarter off as they didn't score in their next 10 possessions--five of those possessions ended up as turnovers. The Lakers held the lead 40-33 going into the fourth.

Kim Grant added two more for the Lakers as the extended the lead to 42-33. NTB cut it to 42-37 on two more Zelinsky free throws. The Lakers led 47-38 with 13 total possessions to go in the game. They had no more scores in regulation. Jackie Kelly started off the comeback with two free throws. On the next possession Zelinsky sent in one from behind the arc 47-43. The Lakers next two possessions were turnovers, and NTB had a turnover as well. Townsend cut the margin to 47-45 and Ewert knotted it up at 47. Both teams had a crack after that, but Barlow's drive was off this time and Zelinsky's desperation 3 was not to be either. It was time for extra time.

NTB came out with three scores in a row to start the extra session. Ewert started it off, then Kelly added 3 from the left side and Kelly again converted on a transition lay up after a Barlow miss. The Lakers closed to 54-53, but Jenny Ostrom missed the second chance of a free throw for the tie. Ewert also missed a free throw opportunity. Ostrom took another shot, but was not squared up and it was off the mark. Haas rebounded the ball and was fouled. She canned both from the stripe for the final margin. The Lakers turned it over on their next chance and after Kelly missed a free throw, Ewert grabbed the ball and they ran out the clock.

Unfortunately the win by NTB did not lead to a championship game. North Tartan avoids playing their own program when possible. It would have been an interesting match up, but in would have been NTB's fourth game in the broiling hot gym.

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

NORTH TARTAN BLUE
STARTERS
Heather Cook, Eden Prairie 2, 6, 33.3, .167 point guard, does her job without trying to do too much. RF: passing decisions
Jackie Kelly, Blaine 11, 9, 122.2, .556 on the money in extra session. 3s and transition is her game. RF: didn't score in the first half. Missed free throw to ice it further.
Jazmin Townsend, Coon Rapids 9, 8. 112.5, .625 energetic, aggressive, passionate. took great pride in guarding Barlow late in the game. Drew a charge.
Deena Ewert, Andover 16, 12, .133.3, .750 Came up big at the end, got the ball rolling in overtime. Solid effort. RF: missed a chance for two points when she missed the front end in ot.
Katie Haas, Tartan 6, 9, 66.7, .333 strong inside.
BENCH
Jamie Zelinsky, Park Center 8, 13, 61.5, .308 rebounded well. Hit a big three in the stretch run. RF: needs to polish ball handling, footwork, decisions.
Jennifer Hooper, Tartan 0, 4, 0.0, .000 RF: needs to be aware of score time. Took ill advised last second shot with 7 seconds left in the second quarter opening the door for Barlow's mad dash.
Brittany Holm, Benson 4, 7, 57.1, .429 lean post

MINNEAPOLIS LADY LAKERS
STARTERS
Melanie Wigen, Bloomington Kennedy or Simley, 5, 12, 41.7, .167 RF: passing, ball handling decisions
AunDreah Aune, Minneapolis Roosevelt 1, 6, 16.7, .167 RF: 3 point shot unavailable. faded away from contact. needs to get hit and make the shot
Talisha Barlow, Roseville 25, 22, 113.6, .500 big time talent that scored. She played strong defense with six rebounds and three steals--the best at getting possession from either team. RF: could have stuck a fork in NTB with free throws at the end of regulation.
Kiara Strickland, Minneapolis Roosevelt 9, 10, 90.0, .500 runs the floor well, lefty. can sky for boards. nice pull up jumper. good upside. RF: want to see shot off the pass
Jenny Ostrom, St. Anthony 5, 9, 55.6, .333 RF: needs to square up on shots. quicken up her release. Needs to convert free throws late in the day.
BENCH
Kim Grant, Minneapolis Roosevelt 6, 6, 100.0, .500 big player, has raw talent. RF: needs polish
Chelsia Hooker, Park Center 2, 1, 200.0, 1.000 This kid has good energy off the bench. plays without fear. aggressive. RF: enters into situations probably best avoided.

TRENCH PLAYER
Deena Ewert

BY THE NUMBERS
NT Blue 56, 68, 82.4, .441
Mpls Lady Lakers 53, 66, 80.3, .394

The Lakers left the door open for NTB at the end of the fourth. MLL didn't have others step up other than Barlow and Strickland. There were at least four scoring options for NTB. A key telling stat NTB made 16 free throws, MLL only 8.

Next up: later tonight a look at the Lynx defense vs