Metro Stars Black Wins Dakota Showcase Title

#3 posting 6.30.2007
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DAKOTA SHOWCASE UPSET SPECIAL
Metro Stars Black put together an outstanding tournament going 6-0 to win the Dakota Showcase tournament in Sioux Falls. They did it with strong team performance and good game plans, preparation and execution. Everyone did their share. However if you looked at the roster of 32 teams coming to the tournament. MSB was not considered the favorite.

MSB started the day with a shut down defensive performance with a 51-41 win over Kansas City Hustlers. MSB led 38-18 with about four minutes to go as they stifled KCH every which way they turned. However KCH woke up late, but not early enough as they went on a 11-2 run in about a four possession flurry. MSB was able to hold off the charge and advance to the semifinals.

In the semis MSB beat the bigger All Iowa Attack team 59-51. AIA led at one point in the second half 32-22. A 10-0 run turned the tide for MSB with Courtney Boylan providing four, and Adrea Holler adding three. The game was within site of AIA until with the score at 55-51 when Chelsea Poppens picked up an illegal screen call, her fifth for AIA. That didn't go over too well on the AIA bench which was assessed two technicals. Boylan made four free throws for the final margin.

In the final game MSB beat ECI Gold West 59-55 in overtime. It was a classic confrontation between a souped up, revved up team that looked to push the ball at every opportunity vs MSB's style of deliberate, patient, focused smart ball control. It was the classic story of the tortoise and the hare. The tortoise won. MSB dictated the tempo of the game and was tough in every game when the money was on the table. ECI beat IBCA Select in the quarters 84-82 in a thoroughbred race. There was not going to be any of that in this contest. Coach Frye's squad limited transition baskets, and possessions themselves. ECI was using two plus pages when I was charting their games. In the championship the first half lasted one and a half pages. MSB led 19-17 at half. They stretched it to 40-35 in the second half. ECI went on a six possession 15-2 run to take a 50-42 lead with 3:27 left. Carolyn Dienhart, Adrea Holler and Boylan each kicked in a trey to tie the game at 53. Each team had two possessions late in the game but couldn't convert.

In the two minute overtime ECI won the tip but turned it over. On the ensuing MSB possession Boylan drove the lane and missed on the drive. Laura Weber was there for the put back. ECI missed on their second possession. Hannah Muegge was fouled on the next MSB possession with 23 seconds. Ashley Privratsky scored on a desperation drive to close to 57-55. Boylan finished a perfect weekend in Sioux Falls for MSB with two free throws. It was an outstanding finish to this tournament.

I will have more details in the out & abouts later in the week. You will be getting 13 games.

next up: tomorrow.