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WORTHINGTON trojans 81, PIPESTONE arrows 75
Worthington pulled a Hillary. Things looked bleak for Worthington. They started the game 1/19 with their field goal attempts. They allowed 15 second chance points in the first half. They were outsized across the board, their average starting size is a generous 5-7, but is probably closer to 5-6. Pipestone had at least a 3.5 inch advantage to each player. The biggest Worthington starter was 5-9. The smallest Pipestone starter was 5-9. But the Trojans rallied from a 61-52 deficit with 9:40 left to pull out an important Southwest Conference win on the road over the defending AA State Champs.
Some may consider a 4 hour one way trip to watch one game a bit insane, but my Game-Dar focused in on this contest, and in the interest of bringing the best games available (and teams we haven't seen yet), Coach Teas & I left just before 3 pm for Southwest Minnesota. . Neither team had lost to a Minnesota team, but each had lost one to a South Dakota squad. Both teams are in the top 10 in their respective classes. Pipestone was #18 in the MaxPreps MN poll, Worthington #50. Also both teams were in the state tournament last year. And to top it all off, Coach Teas was a Pipestone graduate, so there were a lot of connections. I too had a Pipestone connection, and I remember going to the old school to scout a few games back in the mid 80s.
Worthington started off the contest with 8 straight dry possessions. The Trojans all have green
lights, apparently as soon as they cross the time line. Of their first 8 chances, 4 were turnovers. Pipestone built an 8-0 lead, 6 of which were second chancers as the Arrows used their size to their advantage. Gabrielle Boever connected for the first Worthington score with 14:25 to go in the half, and that on a rebound basket. Worthington was 2/17 on their possessions to start a frigid 23.5 pp100 and .118 floor %. Pipestone lead 14-4 at this point and again it was the second chancers giving them their margin. 10 points came off rebound baskets (or shortly thereafter). Worthington crept back into the contest with a 10-2 run of their own as Pipestone had a six possession drought. Then Faith Tinklenberg asserted herself. The future Augustana player had 7 of the next 9 Pipestone points, but Worthington was still hanging around. Pipestone was 7/9 on offense during the stretch. The home town Arrows led 36-32 at the half.The game was tight at 41-39 when Pipestone ran off 8 unanswered points on four straight possessions. That stretched the lead once again to 10 at 49-39 with about 14 minutes left. Again things looked dismal for Worthington. Alyssa Smith had picked up her fourth foul at the 15:22 mark. Joining her with four was Sarah Boever at the 14:43 mark. The very next second Worthington picked up #7 and Pipestone was in the bonus. Pipestone stretched
their lead back to 9 after Worthington cut it to five. Then the game changing play happened. Holli Aggen was fouled on an &1 which happened to be Tinklenberg's fourth foul. She was soon on the bench. Worthington proceeded to go on a 20-8 run. Tinklenberg returned when the game was tied at 69, but the big mo had shifted from one to the other. Worthington was playing full of confidence. Pipestone suffered through a 7 possession drought. Tinklenberg made two free throws to make it 72-71 Worthington with 3:36 left. Worthington then proceeded to take some time off the clock. Both teams traded possessions (ending in turnovers). Sarah Boever drove in on a lay up which was quickly answered by a Tinklenberg catch & shoot in the lane. Worthington added a free throw by Aggen on their next possession. She missed the second but Gabrielle Boever picked up the loose ball. They whittled some more time off the clock down to 1:10 before a turnover gave the ball back to the Arrows. Bailey Bouman's shot didn't drop and there was no second chance opportunities as Aggen boarded. In fact there were no second chancers after Worthington started their epic rise. Gabrielle Boever hit a pull up, with Bouman responding to make it 77-75 with 34.1 seconds left. Worthington closed out the contest with Aggen delivering four straight free throws. The improbable comeback a la Hillary was done.Photos: #1. Faith Tinklenberg goes up for 2 of her 28 points for Pipestone. #2 A four player pile up as each team looks for the loose ball. Chelsey Evans of Pipestone is looking up. Sarah Boever of Worthington is #10. Photos by Teas (Pipestone '64)
key: player (year) points, possessions, pp100, floor %
WORTHINGTON
STARTERS
Holli Aggen (09) 24, 17, 141.2, .471 perimeter player, 3 point shooter, made 3 behind the arc, had 3 &1 opportunities. went to the line a total of 6 times. Key rebounds on defense late in the game.
Sarah Boever (08) 9, 13, 69.2, .308 perimeter, scored off the dribble. also went to the line frequently (four times). got into foul trouble
Rachel Pavelko (08) 12, 9, 133.3, .556 the smallest Trojan. came up with big shots, ran the floor well. was a pest in the second half on defense.
Alyssa Smith (08) 11, 11, 100.0, .545 the inside presence. a scrapper, tough nosed. got into foul trouble.
Gabrielle Boever (10) 17, 14, 121.4, .571 guard. has a nice pull up jumper, can also hit the 3. never got to the line.
BENCH
Kayla VanderVeen (10) 5, 8, 62.5, .375
Kayla Schoeder (10) 0, 4, 0.0, .000 back up post
Kaitlin Gerber (10) 3, 1, 300.0, 1.000 guard. one possession, one 3.
PIPESTONE
STARTERS
Bree Woelber (11) 5, 8, 62.5, .250 point guard. players needed to come to her, or she needed to shorten the passes. did drive when given a wide open chance.
Chelsey Evans (08) 10, 7, 142.7, .857 post. five points on second chancers. needs to keep initiating contact and staying higher on the block and use the glass.
Bailey Bouman (10) 10, 11, 90.9, .455 perimeter type. crashed the boards, points in the paint.
Faith Tinklenberg (08) 28, 24, 116.7, .583 perimeter player. had the best outside shot for Pipestone. scores well off the right dribble, stop and pop, aggressive, understands game. is essential to be on the floor. leader. needs to develop a comfort level for the left hand.
Megan Vanderpoel (09) 7, 9, 77.8, .444 early on was a rebounding machine on the d side. strong frame. all three field goals came on put backs.
BENCH
Kayla Rowden (08) 10, 7, 142.9, .714 post, strong, wide. effective inside early
Brooke Woelber (10) 5, 11, 45.5, .182 perimeter sub.
Meghan Visker (09) 0, 0, 0.0, .000
TRENCH PLAYERHolli Aggen
BY THE NUMBERS
Worthington 81, 77, 105.2, .455
Pipestone 75, 77, 97.4, .494
made 3s: Worthington 6, Pipestone 0
ftm/fta-ft%: Worthington 19/29-.655; Pipestone 15/21-.714
bench: Pipestone 15, Worthington 8
Not only did Worthington make 6 behind the arc, they had an opportunity for 5 the old fashioned way. This was a big reason for their lower floor % number. Pipestone actually scored on 38 possessions to Worthington's 35. Pipestone was shut out behind the arc and had 3 old fashioned 3 point play attempts of which they converted two.
As far as second chance points go Pipestone had 14 first half points, but Worthington was only one behind with 13. For the game Pipestone had a clear advantage 23-17.
DEFENSIVE WRAPS
WORTHINGTON
Sarah Boever 7.5
Alyssa Smith 6
Gabrielle Boever 6
Rachel Pavelko 5.5
Holli Aggen 4
Kayla Schroeder 3
totals; 32
PIPESTONE
Megan Vanderpoel 10
Faith Tinklenberg 9
Bree Woelber 4
Chelsey Evans 4
Brooke Woelber 4
Kayla Rowden 3
Bailey Bouman 1
Meghan Visker 1
totals: 36
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Worthington played man, some times full court, most of the game.
Pipestone started man, then used a variety of zones with 2/3 used the most. They did try some 3/2. Pipestone also used a 1/2/2 press. It was used a few times. When Pipestone trailed they reverted back to man.
Next up: tomorrow morning