Grab Bag: Tip Off Classic (part 2)

#8 posting 2.6.2008
your daily dose of girls basketball news & information

GRAB BAG
TIP OFF CLASSIC (part 2)
The Breakdown's Girls' Tip Off Classic restarts this Saturday, Feb. 9
It was originally slated for Dec. 1, the classic was rescheduled due to inclement weather.

The BREAKDOWN's annual girls' Tip Off Classic, originally scheduled on Dec. 1 but postponed due to inclement weather, will return this Saturday, Feb. 9, 2008 at Fergus Falls High School and Rogers High School. The split to two locations was made to accommodate the participating teams.

At Fergus Falls, action gets underway at 4:30 p.m. when Crookston faces Park of Cottage Grove and concludes with an 8 p.m. showdown between the hosts and Becker.

4:30 PM: Park of Cottage Grove (#6AAAA) vs. Crookston (#1AA)

This match up might be the most intriguing of all games. Crookston is one of the hottest teams in Minnesota. The Pirates can really shoot the ball, as all five starters are accurate from three-point range. Crookston also has tremendous quickness, led by Iowa recruit Kamille Wahlin. Wahlin directs an offense that averages 81 points per game. Meanwhile, Park is one of the most physical teams in the state. The Wolfpack hang their hat on defense, allowing teams only 39 ppg. Minnesota recruit Jackie Voigt anchors a front line that is very intimidating. This will be a classic match-up between teams from different classes both planning on being a part of the late-March push.

Crookston key wins: Moorhead, Ada-Borup, Winona Cotter, Albany, Becker. Park key wins: Fergus Falls, Lakeville North, DeLaSalle, Hopkins.

8:00 PM: Becker (#3AAA) vs. Fergus Falls (#7AAA)

Three Big Ten recruits take the floor with Becker's Brianna and Nicole Mastey (Minnesota) and Fergus Falls' Iowa-bound Hannah Draxten. Both teams like to establish themselves on the defensive end. Neither team has flashy perimeter play which could mean the team that can score in the half court might make the difference. Becker has played arguably the toughest schedule in Minnesota, while Fergus Falls has losses to onlySt. Cloud Tech, Brainerd, and Park. One key is the return of Becker's Shelly Stemper, who has been injured since Dec. 18. Stemper will provide a scoring punch and defensive tenacity that Becker has been without for 15 games. This could be ascary element for future opponents of the Lady Bulldogs. Fergus Falls is playing very consistent and rebound and defend well, allowing only41.1 ppg.

Becker key wins: Hopkins, Bloomington Kennedy, STMA, Worthington. Fergus Falls key wins: Sartell, Moorhead.

At Rogers, action gets underway at 6 p.m. when Centennial faces Moorhead and concludes with a 7:45 p.m. showdown between the hosts and Lakeville North.

6:00 PM: Centennial (#1AAAA) vs. Moorhead (unranked)

Centennial (19-0) is playing the best basketball of any team in Minnesota, entering the game undefeated and being ranked in the top 10of many national polls. Centennial's scoring ability may be too much as Kiara Allums, Megan Nipe and Emily Becken are a powerful trio. Centennial has beaten opponents by 20 points or more in 17-of-19games.Moorhead (8-10) has struggled since the injury of star Kelsey Jacobson, who has been out since Jan. 12. Kassie Hooten is now the go to player for the Spuds. Jacabson's status is unknown.

Moorhead key wins: Marshall, Willmar. Centennial key wins: St. Paul Central, Osseo, Chaska.

7:45 PM: Rogers (#2AAA) vs. Lakeville North (unranked)

The Royals (17-2) are on a roll, winning 12 games in a row. They use a disciplined offense and defense that has allowed them to dictate tempo in all the games they have played. Jennifer Dowd and Casey Mann give the Royals a 1-2 perimeter punch opposing teams have trouble stopping. The Royals aren't deep, but have managed so far to remain consistent. Lakeville North (11-8) has been up and down this season. After a 9-2start, the Panthers lost six in row. They have plenty of talent as6-4 Cassie Rochel anchors the middle. Kaiya Sygulla and freshmen Rachel Banhem should create a great perimeter contest versus Mann and Dowd. It should be an interesting game between traditionally strong programs.

Rogers key wins: Becker (twice), Osseo, STMA. Lakeville North key wins: Kennedy, Rochester Lourdes, Rochester Mayo.

The annual Tip Off Classic began back in January 2004. The BREAKDOWN staff wanted to showcase teams from across the state and provide unique, competitive match-ups. We also wanted to have top-rated teams with state tournament aspirations. The experiment worked so well that now we host the No. 1 single-day classic in Minnesota. The BREAKDOWN Tip Off Classic is must see event for fans of Minnesota high school basketball.

POLLS
North Dakota is second to South Dakota in the North Central D2 Regional Poll.

LATE REPORTS
MINNESOTA
Crookston beat a feisty East Grand Forks 74-63. From the Crookston Times.

WISCONSIN
Northwestern beat Rice Lake in a low scoring affair 34-23. From the Superior Daily Telegram.

AWARDS
Creighton's Kristina Voss (Ankeney, IA) has been named Missouri Valley Conference Female Scholar-Athlete of the Week.

Next up: A rare Wednesday High School Out & About