Out & About: Hopkins/Crookston

#3 posting 8.6.2007
your daily dose of girls basketball news & information

SWEET 16 TOURNAMENT
First Round, College of St. Benedict
HOPKINS royals 54, CROOKSTON pirates 53

Hopkins rallied from a seven point second half deficit to beat Crookston in the opening round of the sweet 16. The lead changed hands four times at the end capped off with two free throws by Hanna Muegge.

Crookston grabbed the early lead at 8-5 with four scores in their first five possessions. After that they fell into a six possession dry spell. That didn't hurt their cause because Hopkins matched them with five possessions. Crookston pushed it out to 13-8 and then fell into a deeper drought, this time nine possessions. This time Hopkins did take advantage with an 8-0 run. Caitlin Rowland had four points in the run for Hopkins. As was typical of this game, Crookston went on a 10-2 run to finish the half. Kamille Wahlin had eight points in the Pirate resurgence. Wahlin had 12 points at half.

Hopkins started the second half closing to 23-22 after two baskets by Rowland. Sydney Epema answered with two treys to give Crookston their biggest lead of the game 29-22. Hopkins was in the doldrums with a five possession drought. The Royals snapped out of their offensive stalemate with an 8/9 scoring string and 18-6 run to go up 40-35. Jenna Lillemoe hit two 3s in the onslaught. Bri Williams, Steph Sension and Rowland each added four points. The pendulum switched over to Crookston with a 10-2 run with a four possession scoring sequence to go up 45-42. Tick tock, it was Hopkins turn, this time an 8-0 run to go up 50-45. All points came on drives or transition. Wahlin put Crookston on her back and delivered six points on two possessions: on a three, one on a "&1." That put Crookston up 51-50. The lead changed hands four times with Muegge dropping two free throws. Crookston had three cracks at the basket on their next possession. Lillemoe got the board for the Royals. Rowland was fouled and missed the front end of a one & one. Taylor Davis got the board for Crookston. Wahlin's drive missed, but they retained possession with 0.7 seconds left. She had another chance but that didn't drop. This was the tightest opening round game.

photos: #1 Kamille Wahlin, 11 white, drives in for a layup. #2: Tess Komarek, 23 blue, is fouled by Sydney Epema. photos by Coach Teas.

HOPKINS
STARTERS
Jenna Lillemoe 6, 6, 100.0, .333 hit 3s, got the big rebound late in the game.
Kara Elofson 4, 6, 66.7, .333 gives Hopkins a tough rebounder, enforcer type personality
Caitlin Rowland 19, 17, 111.8, .588 perimeter, good vision, clear decisions. has pull up. good communicator.
Steph Sension 12, 11, 109.1, .545 post player. changes things inside defensively. willing to take a charge. likes to take an occasional 3. went to the line three times.
Hanna Muegge 6, 15, 40.0, .200 handled point, made key free throws. needs to get her stops down.
BENCH
Bri Williams 5, 6, 83.3, .500 youngster gave energy off the bench, active defensively.
Tori Joransen 0, 2, 0.0, .000 back up post
Tess Komarek 2, 4, 50.0, .250 guard
Chelsea Garcia 0 2, 0.0, .000 guard

CROOKSTON
STARTERS
Macy Hanson 4, 5, 80.0, .400 perimeter player
Molly Simmons 5, 10, 50.0. .200 perimeter player. hit a 3
Kamille Wahlin 22, 17, 129.4, .558 point guard, lefty, is aware, head and eyes up, delivers to the right players. doesn't get caught in trap situations. favors pull up shot
Sydney Epema 8, 12, 66.7, .250 another perimeter player. canned two 3s. subs at point when Wahlin sits
Taylor Davis 8, 16, 50.0, .250 post player. went to the line three times.
BENCH
Lauren Graham 0, 4, 0.0,. .000 post sub
Anna Cymbaluk 3, 2, 150.0, .500
Brea Aamoth 3, 3, 100.0, 1.000

TRENCH PLAYER
Caitlin Rowland

BY THE NUMBERS
Hopkins 54, 69, 78.3, .391
Crookston 53, 69, 76.8, .333
made 3s: Crookston 5, Hopkins 2
made fts: Hopkins 8, Crookston 7
bench: Hopkins 7, Crookston 6
Rowland and Wahlin were teammates this summer with North Tartan Larson.
Crookston only had five two point baskets that weren't scored by Wahlin.
Most of the early Crookston points came via the drive or line.

DEFENSIVE WRAPS
HOPKINS
Steph Sension 9
Bri Williams 6
Hanna Muegge 6
Chelsea Garcia 4
Caitlin Rowland 4
Kara Elofson 3
Tess Komarek 3
Jenna Lillemoe 2
Tori Joranson 2
totals: 39

CROOKSTON
Molly Simmons 6
Taylor Davis 5
Kamille Wahlin 4.5
Sydney Epema 4.5
Macy Hanson 3
Brea Aamoth 2
Lauren Graham 1
totals: 26

next up: another first round game in the Sweet 16: Centennial vs Rogers