Out & About: MN Stars Hested/Quest

#4 posting 5.22.2007
your daily dose of girls basketball news & information

This game took place on Sunday, May 20
Forest Lake AAU Tournament
Silver Championship
MN STARS HESTED 69, QUEST 51

I reported on this game on Sunday on my Gabcast channel, episode 26.

With the screwy AAU schedule, MN Stars Hested found themselves in the silver pool after a pool loss to NC Heat in the the first contest on Saturday. They had strong performances in the Silver brackets with this their closest game.

This game was tight in the first half. Quest held an early 8-4 lead with four different players contributing to the totals. MN Stars Hested had a mini drought with five possessions coming up empty. They bounced back with three straight scored to go up 11-8. Four of those points were on second chancers. The bigger MSH line up would be stronger on the boards throughout the contest. Quest started to roll with five of six scoring possessions. The Mpls SW connection of Melissa Fitz and Britta Syverson each contributed four points on the Quests' 10-6 burst. Three possessions later Colleen Raune dropped a three to make it 21-17 Quest. Notice Friestelben's name is not involved. Quest can score with others too. MSH had another five possession drought. But it was more than that. MSH only had two free throws made in 10 possessions. Friestleben was not going to remain silent forever and she dropped a three to make it 24-19 the Quests' largest lead. In the last six possessions of the half MSH outscored Quest 9-2 as they took a 28-26 lead. After Kelsey Jacobson tied it up with a three from the right wing, MSH forced a turn over. Brianna Mastey scored a chip shot to put MSH up for good at the buzzer.

MSH continued their hot hand at the start of the second half. After missing on their first possession they scored five straight times to go on a 11-2 run and led 39-28. Five different players scored on the outburst. Quest did cut the margin to 39-32. Then a seven possession drought put the game out of reach. MSH had a 9-0 run to go up 48-32. All of those points came from beyond the arc. Jacobson finally caught fire from 3 point land and Emily Becken also added a trey for MSH. For the rest of the game MSH maintained a healthy 20 point lead.

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

MN STARS HESTED
STARTERS
Brianna Mastey, Becker 6, 4, 150.0, .750 likes baseline drives. defensively is aware.
Kiara Allums, Centennial 4, 4, 100.0, .500 runs floor. speedy. RF: defensively needs to stay lower and keep hands to herself.
Brittnye McSperron, Eastview 7, 9, 77.8, .444 point guard. feisty.
Georgie Jones, St. Paul Central 6, 7, 83.3, .429 post. changes shots, changes passes on press. RF: needs to be ready for the ball.
Theairra Taylor, St. Paul Central 5, 10, 50.0, .200 athletic and explosive. took advantage of baseline drives. can pick pockets. has style. RF: needs to finish. was too hard on shot---too much adreneline going through the blood.
BENCH
Nicole Mastey, Becker 12, 8, 150.0, .750 is quietly delivering results. is picking up intensity. has the tools.
Shelly Stemper, Becker 5, 4, 125.0, .500 tenacious, active, fighter. gets on the floor often with a flourish.
Emily Becken, Centennial 5, 4, 125.0, .500 point guard. gets ball to players in the right spots. 3 range.
Alexis Montgomery, Cannon Falls 8, 8, 100.0, .500 post. can score in and out. mainly in this time. RF: maybe needs a meaner streak on defense.
Kelsey Jacobson, Moorhead 11, 5, 220.0, .800 had four assists to go along with three 3s. RF: defensively too high, players driving by her.

QUEST
STARTERS
Taylor House, Maple Grove 4, 3, 133.3, .667 post, physical.
Shannon Thompson, Apple Valley 2, 7, 28.6, .143 point guard. had 4 assists. RF: passing execution. out sized by the larger, and just as quick MSH guards.
Bentley Mancini, Apple Valley 4, 5, 80.0, .400 post. finished off the press lay up.
Becca Friestleben, Holy Family 16, 16, 100.0, .438 is a shooter. when off, shoots until she is on. 3 range, drives, pull ups. had 3 assists too. RF: head, or eyes, need to be under the net when dribbling. that way she can also avoid charges.
Cassie Hubler, Apple Valley 0, 4, 0.0, .000 guard, RF: passing choices.
BENCH
Melissa Fitz, Mpls Southwest 8, 8, 100.0, .500 point guard. has competitive swagger.
Britta Syverson, Mpls Southwest 6, 7, 85.7, .429 post RF: needs to finish, or at least draw contact on putback second chancers.
Colleen Raune, Benilde-St. Margaret's 5, 3, 166.7, .333 guard. has 3 range. RF: strength
Mary Dolan-O'Brien, Holy Angels 0, 2, 0.0, .000 post. RF: probably suited to facing basket. needs to gain strength.
Kate Cavanaugh, Maple Grove 2, 4, 50.0, .250. guard.
Erica Dahl, Totino-Grace 4, 4, 100.0, .500 guard. scored two baskets late. on using the glass. RF: needs to keep dribble lower.
Madelin Morin, Benilde-St. Margaret's 0, 1, 0.0, .000 knows how to get a rebound.

TRENCH PLAYER
This was a tough call. Many worthies. Many good solid performances. But Nicole Mastey gets the call as she is quietly getting the job done without much attention. She is going to have a breakout next season next winter.

BY THE NUMBERS
MN Stars Hested 69, 63, 109.5, .508
Quest 51, 64, 79.7, .359
made 3s: MSH 6, Quest 3
made fts: MSH 7, Quest 4
assists: MSH 19, Quest 15
bench: MSH 41, Quest 25
Eventually the size, speed, athleticism kicks in and MSH also had the depth to wear out Quest.

DEFENSIVE WRAPS
MN STARS HESTED
Theairra Taylor 7
Georgie Jones 4.5
Nicole Mastey 4
Brianna Mastey 3.5
Emily Becken 3
Kiara Allums 2.5
Alexis Montgomery 2
Kelsey Jacobson 2
Brittnye McSperron 1
Shelly Stemper 1
totals: 31

QUEST
Madelin Morin 5
Melissa Fitz 4
Taylor House 2
Bentley Mancini 2
Britta Syverson 2
Cassie Hubler 2
Becca Friestleben 1
Colleen Raune 1
totals:19

Next up: tomorrow morning.