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This game took place on Sunday, July 8Mid American Tournament, Hopkins, MN
17u championships
METRO STARS BLACK 59,
MN STARS HESTED 52
Metro Stars Black won their second straight multi-state tournament by beating the hosts of the Mid American Tournament in Hopkins 59-52. Since the end of school MSB has been turning many heads with their solid defense, execution and team play. Those factors were in evidence unequivocally again this weekend. It was also a bit of revenge in a significant way for MSB. In the third place game at the State AAU tournament MSH won 84-41. At this point MSH has four players that have verballed D1 programs, and MSB doesn't have any....yet.
The game didn't start out favorably for MSB as they missed on their first four possessions. They also found themselves down 4-0. Stephanie Sension broke the ice with a rebound basket &1 and followed that on the next possession with a spinning drive. Those possessions started a 10-2 run. MSB took their first lead on a three by Courtney Boylan. After a Sarah Wiens 3 MSH took a time out with the score 15-9. MSH came out of the time out with a renewed vigor on defense and more physical tone. That helped kick in their offense with a four possession run as they regained the lead at 18-17 on Theairra Taylor's basket. Wiens came right back with two free throws to reclaim the lead at 19-18. MSB held on to the lead the remainder of the half and led 29-25 at the break. Both teams struggled at the end of the half with MSH going 1/8 and MSB 1/6.
Both teams continued with their offensive struggles at the start of the second half. MSB was 1/5, MSH 1/6. They soon both got on track. MSH scored on three straight possessions to close the margin to 33-32. MSB turned the same trick with a 6-0 run to go up 39-32. They scored on four straight possessions including two straight out of bounds plays where Hanna Muegge scored basically unguarded. That made the score 41-33. The pendulum swung back to MSH with four straight scores as the margin again narrowed to 41-39. Brittnye McSparron delivered four of those points. A Boylan basket and then two free throws pushed the MSB lead back to six 45-39. Then MSH went on a 12-4 run capped by Emily Becken's 3 to make it 51-49 MSH. Brianna Mastey had 6 points in the run, four of which came on second chancers. There was about 5:30 left at this point.
MSB had a five possession run (the first possession actually took place before the time out) as they went on a 10-3 run. Adrea Holler started the rally with a second chancer followed on the next possession a basket from a Boylan assist. Boylan added a pair of free throws and Sension added a second chancer and two free throws on the next two possessions. MSH had a chance at 55-51 when McSparron was called for a charge on Tina Fisher. MSB led 57-51 with 1:27. When MSH got the ball back they didn't play with the crispness and urgency that was required with such little time left. They let time slip away as they attempted to set up a play. Jones missed on the ensuing shot. Sension rebounded but Muegge lost the ball. Brianna Mastey missed on her shot with under 51 seconds left. MSB looked to run the clock out and did get it down to 29 seconds when Boylan was called for traveling. Brianna Mastey again took the ball for MSH and was fouled. She delivered one at the line. Sension was fouled after the pass in and converted both tosses for the final margin 59-52. For the second week in a row MSB put on a stunning display of team play with their upset win.
photos: #1. DaNae Moore, 3 MSB, drives around Alexis Montgomery, 25 MSH. #2. Stephanie Sension, 45 MSB, shoots over the outstretched hands of Theairra Taylor, 21 MSH and Montgomery. #3 Courtney Boylan, 23 MSB, skies with a drive as Taylor, 21 MSH defends. #4 Brianna Mastey, 41 MSH looks to finish a drive with Boylan, 23 MSB defending. #5 Metro Stars Black post game celebration.METRO STARS BLACK
STARTERS
Stephanie Sension, Hopkins 13, 9, 144.4, .667 started and finished for MSB. Had the first four and last six points for MSB. post player with guard skills. has range. was more physical inside.
Courtney Boylan, Chaska 17, 15, 113.3, .533 good leaper (scored over another sky queen Taylor) and good body control. good awareness. rebounds very well (led her team with 5 d rebounds) feisty, competitive, leader and winner. there really isn't any more for me to add.
Courtney Boylan, Chaska 17, 15, 113.3, .533 good leaper (scored over another sky queen Taylor) and good body control. good awareness. rebounds very well (led her team with 5 d rebounds) feisty, competitive, leader and winner. there really isn't any more for me to add.
Carolyn Dienhart, Cretin-Derham Hall 2, 5, 40.0, .200 guard
Adrea Holler, Eagan 10, 7, 142.9, .714. stepped up and delivered inside. scored in traffic
Laura Weber, Eden Prairie 0, 1, 0.0, .000 was physical inside
BENCH
DaNae Moore, Eastview 4, 6, 66.7, .333 perimeter.
Sarah Wiens, Burnsville 5, 4, 125.0, .500 lefty 3 point shooter
Chelsey Jacox, DeLaSalle 0, 2, 0.0, .000 guard. learning the ropes.
Hanna Muegge, Hopkins 8, 9, 88.9, .444 slipped in and scored unmolested in the out of bounds plays.
Tina Fisher, Park-Cottage Grove 0, 2, 0.0, .000 banger
MN STARS HESTED
STARTERS
Theairra Taylor, St. Paul Central 9, 10, 90.0, .500 elevates. competitive.
Emily Becken, Centennial 7, 4, 175.0, .750 guard. 3 range.
Briann Mastey, Becker 16, 13, 123.1, .615 starting to look to take over these AAU games like she does in HS.
Kiara Allums, Centennial 3, 3, 100.0, .667 perimeter.
Nicole Mastey, Becker 0, 2, 0.0, .000 needs to seize advantage on offense.
BENCH
Georgie Jones, St. Paul Central 3, 9, 33.3, .222 post. doesn't like to be leaned on. needs to go through people and welcome, initiate contact.
Kelsey Jacobson, Moorhead 3, 2, 150.0. .500 likes 3s
Alexis Montgomery, Cannon Falls 2, 7, 28.6, .286 left
Brittany Lewis, Red Wing 2, 4, 50.0, .250
Brittnye McSparron, Eastivew 7, 8, 87.5, .375 looks to drive, penetrate and get fouled.
TRENCH PLAYERStephanie Sension
a big factor in the win.
BY THE NUMBERS
Metro Stars Black 59, 60, 98.7, .467
MN Stars Hested 52, 62, 83.9, .435
made 3s: MSB 3, MSH 3
made fts: MSB 14, MSH 11
bench: MSB 17, MSH 17
The tale at the line---MSB missed one free throw (14/15) MSH was 11/18.
MSB also had a slight advantage on second chancers with 11 points to 8 points for MSH. MSB was more physical throughout the game.
DEFENSIVE WRAPS
MN STARS BLACK
Courtney Boylan 7
Laura Weber 4
Tina Fisher 4
DaNae Moore 3
Hanna Muegge 3
Adrea Holler 3
Stephanie Sension 2
totals: 26
MN STARS HESTED
Theairra Taylor 5
Kiara Allums 4
Kelsey Jacobson 2
Alexis Montgomery 2
Brittnye McSperron 2
Emily Becken 1
Georgie Jones 1
Nicole Mastey 1
Shelly Stemper 1
totals: 20
Next up: tomorrow morning, unless news breaks. Also tomorrow---the AAU Week that was.