Out & About: Top 100 Expo Championship

#6 posting 7.20.2007
your daily dose of girls basketball news & information

Top 100 Expo Camp
Championship
U CONN 101, LSU 79

The U Conn team rolled to the championship by cracking the century mark 101-79 over LSU. Six UConn players hit double digits. LSU had four players crack double digits and Kiara Strickland led both teams with 23 points, but UConn had better support up and down their roster.

The battle in the first quarter was fairly even. Strickland did everything in her power to keep her team in the contest. She had 13 of the first 16 points as LSU led 16-11. LSU did score on six straight possessions to get the run rolling. UConn finished the quarter with a 12-6 run and that but them up 23-22 at the break.

UConn erupted for 30 points in the second quarter. Their biggest runs in the second quarter was three. The fact was their offensive slow downs were few and far between. LSU wasn't a slouch either offensively as they had 19 points for the quarter. The problem for them was they couldn't stop the juggernaut that was UConn.

The third quarter UConn slowed down a bit as they only racked up 20 points. Two players came up for 15 points for UConn--Brittany Thiesfeld had 8, and Mackenzie Wolter had 7.

The fourth quarter was another winner for UConn as they tacked on 29 more to their totals. 8 players put numbers up for UConn. Jordyn Sears had 10 points in the final frame for LSU. This game was never in doubt after the first quarter. The trio of Centennial players gave the team a personality. Better ball movement, better spacing, better vision and more assists helped UConn to the title.

photos: #1 Kiara Strickland, 82 white, goes up for two of her 23 points. Kayla Blom defends. #2. Bridget Schuneman, 99 blue, finishes a second shot. Jessie Warzecha, 67 white, defends. photos by kja

U CONN
STARTERS
Emily Becken, Centennial 13, 11, 118.2, .545 guard that was voted MVP of the camp. handled the ball with confidence and authority. had some passes that were clever and effective. good decisions, good vision. has 3 range, can drive and hit pull ups.
Bridget Schuneman, Centennial 19, 17, 111.8, .588 post player, persistent offensive rebounder. has strength inside. also runs the floor
Kayla Blom, Centennial 14, 10, 140.0, .600 spitfire guard. alert, head up, involves teammates, had at least six assists. 3 range, good decisions.
Ashley Holdgrafer, Southland 6, 7, 85.7, .429
Kayla Schrupp, Norwood-Young America 5, 11, 45.5, .273 active on the defensive boards.
BENCH
Ashlee Waller, Southland 3, 2, 150.0, .500
Mackenzie Wolter, Norwood-Young America 13, 8, 162.5, .750 has speed. active defensively, runs the floor.
Brittany Thiesfeld, Glencoe-Silver Lake 15, 9, 166.7, .889 finishes
Nicole Pothen, Bethlehem Academy 11, 8, 137.5, .625 guard, 3 range, will crash the board.
Krystal Maroney, Norman County West 2, 1, 200.0, 1.000

LSU
STARTERS
Jessie Warzecha, Sauk Rapids 2, 5, 40.0, .200
AunDreah Aune, Minneapolis Roosevelt 0, 3, 0.0, .000
Kiara Strickland, Minneapolis Roosevelt 23, 14, 164.3, .714 playing with consistency, playing with verve. making a difference. is not bothered by no calls (at least visibly), goes about her business. works the offensive boards. has a guard mentaility.
Maggie Bryant, Sartell 17, 19, 89.5, .421 worked the boards. runs the floor. strong.
Alison Gray, St. Cloud Apollo 14, 13, 107.7, .538 scored on transition
BENCH
Jennifer Belanger, Zimmerman 2, 3, 66.7, .333
Kaitlyn Houser, Zimmerman 2, 5, 40.0, .200
Jordyn Sears, St. Cloud Tech 19, 20, 95.0, .500 likes to score off the drive. will initiate contact on the drive.
Katie Christian, Sauk Rapids 0, 2, 0.0, .000
Amanda Crawford, Sauk Rapids 0, 2, 0.0, .000

TRENCH PLAYER
Kayla Blom

BY THE NUMBERS
U Conn 101, 84, 120.2, .583
LSU 79, 86, 91.9, .442
made 3s: UC 4, LSU 4
made fts: UC 9, LSU 5
bench: UC 44, LSU 26

DEFENSIVE WRAPS
U CONN
Kayla Blom 7
Kayla Schrupp 7
Mackenzie Wolter 7
Bridget Schuneman 6
Emily Becken 4
Ashlee Waller 2
Krystal Maroney 2
Brittany Thiesfeld 1
totals: 36

LSU
Maggie Bryant 8
Kiara Strickland 5
Alison Gray 4
Jordyn Sears 4
Amanda Crawford 3
Jessie Warzecha 2
Kaitlyn Houser 1
Katie Christian 1
totals: 28

Next up: later tonight with the AAU Week that Was #16