Out & About: Champlin Park/Becker

#2 posting 10.15.2006
your daily dose of girls basketball news & information

BECKER FALL LEAGUE
Champlin Park 34, Becker Blue 30

The Becker Fall League opened today and Champlin Park beat Becker Blue (a split squad) in a rematch from the Sweet 16 semifinals. Champlin Park had more in the tank to top Becker in their home fieldhouse 34-30, or is it 34-32? I had 32 points total. It looks as if the discrepancy happened in the first half as I had 20 points for Becker, and the board had 18.

One main complaint I have in this league is the lack of player #s. It is hard to see or know who is who. Perhaps it is just to get the kids to run up & down to get ready for the HS season. Maybe the league is set up to see what players compete and what players go through the motions. But it makes my job harder trying to figure out who is who.

Any way I am a little bit familiar with the main actors in today's drama. CP drew first blood with a basket by Ashley Witte. CP did take an early 6-2 lead as they scored on three of four possessions, but droughts were more common. CP had a drought of 8, while Becker didn't have a huge stretch, but were 2/11 to open the game. 12 times in the first half the teams lined up for free throws. In fact Becker picked up three fouls in a row on CP's 3rd possession. Both teams did get into better flow late in the half with scores four of the last five possessions. But a pattern was developing that would hurt Becker. CP was converting second shot opportunities. Jessica Hoffman made on to close the gap to 14-13 Becker. Becker did make two free throws on two seperate line appearances in one possession to make it 16-13. Becker made the first free throw, missed got the rebound, was fouled, made the first free throw, missed the second, got the rebound but they missed a potential 4th point on the same possession. Brianna Mastey scored on a back cut from the left side to give Becker an 18-13 lead. Ali Schmidt was fouled at the buzzer and she cashed in both free throws.

CP opened the half with two straight scores, a Natalie Gigler basket, and then a Michelle Burns as they reclaimed the lead 20-18. Rey Robinson made her 3rd triple of the night to give Becker the lead for the last time 21-20. Gigler added another basket for CP. That was the beginning of a 4/5 possession scoring spree and 8-0 run to put some distance between the teams. Hoffman again had two put backs in the run. Brianna Mastey knocked down a three to cut the lead to 28-24 on the next Becker possession. CP's offense went into hibernation with a six possession snooze. Becker only converted once at this time. Becker did close to 30-28 on a player that remains nameless two free throws. CP scored on an Ali Schmidt drive and two CP possessions later Ashlynn Fuller canned two free throws to make it 34-28. Another unknown Becker player matched that free throw exploit, and that ended the scoring.

There are no numbers in this league making it difficult to differentiate players. I will only list players that I am familiar with. The number of team possessions are correct, the points are correct, or are they?

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

CHAMPLIN PARK
Michelle Burns, 3, 7, 42.9, .143 main point guard. hit a 3 in the second half. RF: ball handling violations
Ashley Witte 4, 4, 100.0, .500 taller perimeter/could also go inside. in right spot for boards.
Jenny Theisen 2, 6, 33.3, .167 Has made a verbal to MSU Moorhead. RF: needs to be stronger with ball--exposed ball at times. Needs to be more aggressive to glass--quicker and more explosive. She did go to the glass and got fouled early in the first half. needs to convert the free throws. Needs to get open against man defense.
Natalie Gigler 10, 9, 111.1, .556 Recently made a verbal to Winona State. post player. Has decent range, has good first step from the free throw line. RF: needs to get stronger
Ali Schmidt 4, 4, 100.0, .500 guard, tough. finished at the line with no time at the end of the half.
BENCH
Laura Bruce 0, 2, 0.0, .000
Ashlynn Fuller 3, 6, 50.0, .167 quick and athletic. RF: timing was off today. Forced offense at times. needs to involve others.
Heather Sampson 0, 1, 0.0, .000 big body, strong. RF: rather passive today
Jessica Hoffman 6, 3, 200.0, 1.000 right spot at the right time. Converted on put backs.
Jessica Hoffman, 0, 1, 0.0, .000 That is not a typo there are two JH's at CP
Jazmin Darden 2, 2, 100.0, .500 smaller guard

BECKER
I will only be able to list a few players
it would be pointless to list blonde with white shorts, etc
Rey Robinson, 10, 9, 111.1, .444 tall perimeter, 3 point bomber with a trio today. RF: forced some passes. could look to drive to the glass to keep the defense off balance
Brianna Mastey 9, 12, 75.0, .333 She & her sister this past week made a verbal to Minnesota. They graduate in 08. good athlete, handles ball for a big person. has 3 range. RF: needs to finish chip shots. Needs to take over and dominate. has the ability to control and dictate the game
Nicole Mastey 0, 4, 0.0, .000 Brianna's sister. another big body. RF: needs to establish herself. needs to finish at the line.
The others 13, 22, 59.1, .318 made 9/10 free throws. however only made two field goals.

TRENCH PLAYER
Natalie Gigler

BY THE NUMBERS
Champlin Park 34, 47, 72.3, .362
Becker 32? or 30?, 47, 68.1, .319

As is true in the MN Fall League, running time and free throws take away court time. These games are only 18 minute halves. The rust was evident on both teams--look at the pp100 and floor %. It was not stellar seran wrap defense that was at work. Both teams had decent chances. It was not a game of artistic beauty. The teams, I am sure, will improve their offenses in the coming weeks. When I watched the first week of the MN Fall League Eden Prairie was at 69.4 and .347, Andover 53.1 and .265.

Also in these fall games everyone plays and not everyone will play in the regular HS season.
It should be noted that Becker has a split squad.

Next up: Another Becker Fall game: Elk River/St. Michael-Albertville