Out & About:Minnetonka/Forest Lake

#8 posting 12.22.2006
your daily dose of girls basketball news & information

MINNETONKA skippers 50, FOREST LAKE rangers 29

This was a matinee game at Minnetonka.

Minnetonka scored on 7 of their first nine possessions in building a 12-3 lead, Elle Queen, Alyssa Benson and Simone Ashkar had four each during the outburst with themes that would run throughout the game: speed/transition lay ups; free throws; and second chance points. Tonka also was air tight with their defense in the first half, not allowing any easy FL baskets. Every move was contested. FL had a nine possession drought, and 1/14 stretch for about nine minutes in the heart of the first half. Minnetonka led 27-10 at half.

In the second half things ground down a bit for Tonka. They opened the half on a 1/9 sequence on offense while FL went on a 6-2 run. Minnetonka's one-two punch of Queen and Benson provided most of the second half points with 15 of the 23 points. Forest Lake did have success getting the ball inside in the second half with Gina Lange posting and Tonka defending from behind. Lange had 10 second half points. In the end it was too much Minnetonka athleticism for FL to overcome as the game was never really in doubt.

Elle Queen passed the 1000 point mark with her first basket of the game.

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

MINNETONKA
STARTERS
Alyssa Benson 12, 11, 109.1, .545 athlete, speed, nice shot form, likes transition game. strong snappy passes. has improved from when I have seen her in the summer. more confident, moves with mission. RF: sometimes rushes things on offense. picked up charge driving to the basket.
Stephanie Comer 2, 6, 33.3, .167 favors spin dribble. RF: needs to create space when trying to change hands and direction.
Kate Constable 2, 6, 33.3, .167 defensively caused FL problems with five steals/forced turnovers. RF: needs to execute passes better.
Elle Queen 17, 15, 113.3, .667 good athlete. can leap. runs the floor. defensively had the most wraps of anyone this season. took a charge. Likes to drive. the leader. RF: needs to be more consistent at the line. Keep the follow through up, when she missed it was flat.
Simone Ashkar 6, 7, 85.7, .429 inside player. space eater. hard to move. RF: forced lob pass.
BENCH
Allissa Bateson 2, 5, 40.0, .200 back up point. RF: needs to snap passes with both hands
Taylor Meads 3, 5, 60.0, .400 good shot stroke. RF: passing choices/decisions
Jordan Skiem 3, 7, 42.9, .143 big strong frame. sealed well and picked up, what we thought, was a uncalled for foul by sealing up. The FL kid went sailing because that kid wasn't strong enough. RF: not as quick as the other Tonka players, takes a few seconds to gather shot. picked up blocking fouls
Ashley Dohrer 3, 2, 150.0, 1.000 looks to drive. RF: size

FOREST LAKE
STARTERS
Kasey Kosman 2, 9, 22.2, .222 got good rebound position. RF: size. didn't score from the floor. passing decisions,
Janelle Winiecki 3, 3, 100.0, .333 RF: needs to square on shot, shot side saddle on the move.
Alisha Johnson 0, 8, 0.0, .000 RF: needs to work on ball handling under pressure. had 2 carry violations.
Andrea Thompson 5, 7, 71.4, .429 had some defensive rebounds in the second half. RF: size
Sarah Lindenberg 0, 2, 0.0, .000
BENCH
Abigale Iverson 1, 3, 33.3, .333 back up point.
Audrey Mills 4, 6, 66.7, .333 took charge. RF: needs to be aware & ready to catch. needs to work on footwork--stoppage/starts
Danielle Boldenow 2, 6, 33.3, .167
Gina Lange 12, 14, 85.7, .429 went inside and posted. not afraid of contact. RF: needs to gain strength
Kasey Kolnberger 0, 5, 0.0, .000 RF: needs to gain strength

TRENCH PLAYER
Elle Queen

BY THE NUMBERS
Minnetonka 50, 64, 78.1, .422
Forest Lake 29, 63, 46.0, .254
Made 3s: FL 1, Tonka 0
Made Free throws: Tonka 14, FL 4
Bench: FL: 19, Tonka 11
Minnetonka's defense held FL to 46.0 pp100 which is 5th best of what I have charted this season. Nothing came easy. Minnetonka scored 10 in the first half on transition. They also scored 10 in the second half in transition, but some were off a FL press, which didn't seem to bother Tonka. Tonka had 8 points off second shots in the first half as well.
Defensively the perimeter defense for Minnetonka really forced FL out of the comfort zone. Minnetonka can be back cut.
Forest Lake starters delivered 10 points.

Both teams need to hold their free throw form longer. It looks like they are burning their hand in the air when shooting they yank it back so fast. Strike a pose and hold the follow through so the photographers can snap photos. Don't release follow through until the ball hits the floor.

It should be pointed out that 6-4 Anne Berner did not play for Forest Lake. Her wrist is still in a cast. Her playing would have had an impact on both sides of the court.

DEFENSIVE WRAPS
Defensive rebounds, steals, blocks and forced turnovers that lead to offensive possessions
MINNETONKA
Elle Queen 15
Kate Constable 6
Alyssa Benson 5
Simone Ashkar 4
Stephanie Comer 4
Taylor Meads 4
Jordan Skiem 4
Katie Fier 1
Ali Bongard 1
totals: 44

FOREST LAKE
Audrey Mills 8
Kelsey Kosman 6
Andrea Thompson 5
Gina Lange 4
Janelle Winiecki 3
Kasey Kolnberger 2
Alisha Johnson 1
Mary Blake 1
Shelby Simons 1
totals 31

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next up: one more out & about today. The week that Was #5 returns on Sunday.