Hamline, Champlin Reports

#1 posting 11.26.2006
your daily dose of girls basketball news & information

MINNESOTA REPORTS
Willmar beat Bemidji 48-40 thanks to a 14-4 run late. From the Bemidji Pioneer.

Caledonia won the Lewiston-Altura Early Bird Tournament over the hosts 64-33. From the Winona Daily News.

Here are some reports from those in the field. I was at Hudson yesterday and couldn't make all the games.

HAMLINE REPORT
In the 3rd place game Hopkins came out flat and didn't score until 3 minutes into the game and that was on free throws.
It took awhile to for them to pick up steam, but they led at half time 25-22.
Steph Sension scored on some nice inside moves in the first half.
Minneapolis North played much better than Friday.
Their big people were making themselves known inside, getting physical.
Carlisle picked up two charges in a minute in the first half. She adjusted later and started to put up her pull up jumpers.
Rowland played her usual game and her usual standards. She was a steady.
It was as close as 2 points with less than 2 minutes to go.
Coach Patterson got her team up for this game and they were involved until the end. It was like night and day watching the same group of kids. North was upbeat after their personal effort compared to Friday's game. The mind set changed.

The tempo of the game was good.
Central fans were quiet at halftime. Central had Centennial outsized, and they don't back down from anyone.
Central led after the first minutes of the second half, but Centennial hung around.
Central went to full court pressure defense that really helped their cause.
Georgie Jones needs to learn to shoot with contact. She needs to get to the weight room to build up the upper body.
Howard played her usual ferocious game on the boards.
Black tried to make flashy plays when simple would do.
Buford made some nice inside moves and was more active today.
Robinson got up for rebounds with a hand higher than other bigger players to snatch the ball.
Less than 30 seconds left Robinson got a questionable technical on a multiple player collision.
Nipe was making plays and shots that came out of nowhere. She was on fire.

For the tournament Angel Robinson was named MVP; Buford, Carlisle, Megan Nipe, Kellie Schunemann, and Rowland rounded out the team.

#2 AAAA Champlin beat Duluth East
CP won this game in transition. CP would convert on transition layups off of made baskets, turnovers, and defensive rebounds. Their posts consistently beat DE post down the floor for easy layups and when they did get back on D they forgot to find Jenny Theisen spotting up for a 3 point shot.
DE stayed in the game with tough guard play. Becky Anderson is a very strong point guard who could get to the basket with penetration. Also she set solid screens and runs over girls who try to screen her. That agressiveness did get her into foul trouble in the first half, but she played through it.
Marisa Yernatich could curl off of numerous double screens and hit the open jumper.
Julie Rickert was not very agile in the post, but she was still very effective on both ends at 6'6". She prefers her left shoulder when making her post moves.
I would say the unsung hero on the floor was #21 Witte for CP. She played within herself on the offensive end and had 15 foot range, but she was most important on the other end doing a nice job harassing Yernatich on the defensive end with her long arms, lanky build, and energy.
CP is all that they are built up to be. They will be able to score with the best of them this year and it looks like they are going to play some tougher defense this year.
DE will definately be tough in their conference with Yernatich, Anderson, and Rickert.

Also the Champlin Park website has a news release.

Here is a run down of all the tournament winners:
Hamline: St. Paul Central
JWP: Hayfield
Lewiston-Altura: Caledonia
Red Wing: Red Wing
Sleepy Eye St. Mary's: Sleepy Eye St. Mary's
Zumbrota-Mazeppa: Chatfield

TOURNAMENT RUMORAMAS
Hamline will be adding four more teams to their tournament next season, but it will be like to separate tournaments. There will be a pool A winner and pool B winner. Teams that may be involved include Bloomington Kennedy; Eden Prairie; Blaine. They are hunting for #4.
Hudson has seen a decline in their event. It used to be 10 teams, now it is only six. Part of that may be because of the 8 minute quarters. MN teams play 18 minute halves.

If you are interested in listening to the Friday Hamline games go to What's Hoopin'.
LATE REPORTS
Hayfield racked up a 72-28 win over LeCenter in the first round of the JWP tournament. Here is the Austin Daily Herald with more.

Red Wing won their opener against Chisago Lakes and the Red Wing Republican Eagle details the game.

PREVIEWS
The Grand Forks Herald has the previews of their area. #1 AA athletic Crookston gets the once over. East Grand Forks was 19-10 last year and is hoping for another little bump up in the left hand column. Here is EGF & EGF Sacred Heart's at a glance. Plus there are 12 players to watch in the NW corner of Minnesota.

POINT PARADE
AAAA
Megan Nipe, Centennial 35 vs St. Paul Central
Camille Stenhaug, Rochester JM 31 vs Rosmeount 59-62

Thanks to the reports in the field. This is what makes this site a must see destination.

Next up: the Iowa, Wisconsin, Michigan, College reports. later tonight a recap of the week, player of the week and a look ahead with the games to pay attention to this week.