Monday, September 24, 2007

Out & About: St. Paul Central/Owatonna

#3 posting 9.24.2007

your daily dose of girls basketball news & information
MYAS FALL LEAGUE
WHITE DIVISION
ST. PAUL CENTRAL minutemen 69, OWATONNA huskies 34

St. Paul Central used their speed, quickness and defensive intensity to double up Owatonna, a team that will be one of the better teams in the Big 9. Central used transition and second shots for their differential.
Central only had five players to start the contest, but Megan Howard and Kiara Buford showed up as the first half got under way at 9 am. Central led from start to finish and the game was never seriously in doubt. The defense however was lights out for SPC. They had sequences of nine straight stops in the first half and ten in the second half. They frustrated the top two returners for Owatonna. Lauren Barber was shut out, and Beth Christiansen was held to two free throws. Owatonna only scored three two point field goals the first half. It was 34-15 at the break.
Central's scoring parade had four players in double digits. Leading the way was unheralded Tasha Garrett with 18. Central looked for each other, has good court awareness and made the extra pass that makes for championship level performance.
Coaching for SPC was Kevin Carlisle, father of former Central player Nakia Carlisle.
Watching the game were Becker twins Brianna and Nicole Mastey. They were watching future Gopher teammate Buford. After the contest the three were in heavy conversation with Buford's HS teammate Theairra Taylor.
The game between St. Paul Central in Becker, the past two AAAA and AAA champs may be in jeopardy. A wedding conflict means the original date is out.
Photos: #1 Kiara Buford goes around Beth Christiansen. #2 Theairra Taylor soars with her left hand. photos by kja

ST. PAUL CENTRAL
STARTERS
Tasha Garrett,
18, 10, 180.0, .900 had a strong performance and finishes. more of a wing type, can mix it up underneath. has speed and made good decisions yesterday. most of her shots came at the end of transition or feeds off Taylor or others driving and dishing. When a certain reliable source has watched her this summer (I am not the reliable source) Garrett has erupted. The thinking is Central may have a cardboard cutout in the stands of a reliable source at games from here on out. RF: overall size
Brittany Dorsey 6, 9, 66.7, .333 another wing. an athlete. RF: needs to be aware to crash weak side offensive boards on both ends, and needs to body/block out people.
Kyana Johnson 2, 5, 40.0, .400 point guard. had vision and distributed the ball
Theairra Taylor 13, 10, 130.0, .600 explosive wing performer. stepping up and making her presence and impact felt. at full strength...at the Sweet 16 had an ankle situation, but played. has range, and can soar, glide. defensively has quick reactions for steals. RF: at times too generous with the ball.
Laura Hanson 2, 2, 100.0, .500 did what she was supposed to do.
BENCH
Megan Howard
14, 8, 175.0, .750 ferocious rebounding machine on both ends. not afraid of contact. physical. aggressive. will also make steals. RF: 5-11
Kiara Buford 14, 12, 116.7, .583 devoured Owatonna with defensive strips and steals late. scored the last six Central points. quickness and transition.

OWATONNA
STARTERS
Lauren Barber
0, 5, 0.0, .000 guard, Central knew who she was. movement restricted due to defensive efforts
Beth Christiansen 2, 4, 50.0, .250 didn't get a lot of offensive touches, but worked on the defensive boards like always
Nash 8, 8, 100.0, .375 hit the only 3s for Owatonna. pulls hand back on follow through
Cassie Dahline 3, 6, 50.0, .167 points all at the line
Kaylen Swanson 7, 5, 140.0, .600 made an old fashioned 3 point play.
BENCH
Anna Rysavy
0, 9, 0.0, .000
Skalla 8, 12, 66.7, .333
Katie McKay 2, 3, 66.7, .333
Amy Kubat 4, 6, 66.7, .333 played in the second half.
TRENCH PLAYER
Tasha Garrett,
here making a steal against Anna Rysavy
BY THE NUMBERS
St. Paul Central
69, 56, 123.2, .607
Owatonna 34, 58, 58.6, .259
made 3s: Owatonna 2, SPC 1
made fts: Owatonna 8, SPC 6
bench: SPC 28, Owatonna 14
DEFENSIVE WRAPS
ST. PAUL CENTRAL
Megan Howard 9
Theairra Taylor 7
Tasha Garrett 5
Kiara Buford 5
Brittany Dorsey 4
Kyana Johnson 2
Laura Hanson 1
totals: 33
OWATONNA
Beth Christiansen 6
McKay 3
Lauren Barber 2
Swanson 2
Dahline 2
Kubat 2
totals: 19
Next up: tomorrow with another Fall League O&A with St. Paul Humboldt and St. Paul Highland Park