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SCRIMMAGE SATURDAY
Today I traveled to scrimmages at Hopkins, Bloomington Jefferson, and Park-Cottage Grove. The season is six days old now and already the
intensity level is cranked up a notch. Action was fast and furious. Sometimes even curious. My method of operation today was to float from as many games as possible to get a good feel for what was happening. Since it is scrimmage time and the season only six days old the defenses held advantage for the most part.The verbal/signing talent broke down like this: Hopkins had 8; Park Cottage Grove had 6 and Jefferson had 1.
Injuries: A few players were out of action. Jennie Sunnarborg of Osseo tweaked her ankle last night and was held out of action today. There was a guard with a boot on from Somerset, WI. Rochester Lourdes had two out of commission. Eden Prairie had two down, LaurenWittman was hobbling around when I got there, and Carly Rothfusz didn't play due to an injured finger. Champlin Park's Ashley Witte has not returned from her late fall injury.
Christina Steele is back in action at Apple Valley. She wasn't expected
back until later this season.At Hopkins there were some great match ups right off the bat with Hopkins taking on DeLaSalle and a North/South battle between Lakeville North and Mpls South.
At Jefferson we had a chance to see some non metro teams up close like Owatonna, Rochester Lourdes, and New London-Spicer.
At Park-Cottage Grove there was stop time action scrimmage. In the only game I charted it was the depth, experience and quickness of St. Paul Central prevailing over the host PCG Wolf Pack 33-14. SPC is way ahead of last year's pace. They have had a year together and know the system better. They look like they are ready to defend their title and build on thier legacy.
There was scoring the first three possessions for both teams. After Katya Leick tied it at five for PCG, SPC put the clamps on defensively. PCG didn't score for 12 straight possessions, 8 of which ended in turnovers. PCG endured another drought at the end with nine more empty trips. SPC contested every pass and movement up and down the floor. The deep bench didn't get on the floor for either team until 2:39 left in the scrimmage.Central's balance was evident in the scoring with Kiara Buford leading the way with 7. Kyana Johnson had six. She will be counted on to fill Angel Robinson's shoes this year. Brittany Dorsey had five and Theairra Taylor and Megan Howard had four each.
Katya Leick led PCG with five. Chipping in with four was Sami Hildebrandt and Jackie Voigt.
Central hit the gold standard with 100 pp100---33 points in 33 possessions. Their floor % was .485. PCG came in at a chilly 43.8 pp100 and even frostier floor % of .219.
photos: #1 Aaryn Booker, DeLaSalle and Hana Potter, Hopkins collide on the way to the basket. #2 an unknown Holy Angels player is surrounded by Owatonna defenders including Beth Christensen (back to the camera) #3 Jackie Voigt, PCG and Kyana Johnson, St. Paul Central battle for a ball. photos by kja.
Next up: the D2 & D3 reports