#11 posting 2.15.2008
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HOPKINS royals 58,
MINNETONKA skippers 53
Many members of the media were focused on the boys game to the west. However last place Minnetonka gave first place Hopkins a strong effort, but the upset bid fell short in a Classic Lake battle. In the first game this year Hopkins won 82-47. The Skippers closed to 53-52 with under a minute to go in a tooth and nail game. Kara Elofson scored 9 straight points during the stretch run for Hopkins on the way to 15 points to help propel the Royals to victory. Hopkins moves to 7-0 in the conference and 22-2 overall. Minnetonka is 0-7 and 8-14 overall.
Hopkins took a 5-0 lead after four possessions. Minnetonka had four turnovers on their first five possessions. They cleaned up their ball handling after that and cut the margin to 7-6. There were three ties up to 17 and then Minnetonka fell into a 1/12 offensive sequence, 6 of which ended up as turnovers. Hopkins went on a 9-2 run to take a 26-19 lead. A couple of trends that came back to haunt both teams in the second half was the foul situations. Both centers, Steph Sension of Hopkins and Jordan Skiem of Minnetonka picked up three fouls in the first half. Hopkins led 28-21 at half time. 13 of the Royals points came on second chancers.
That seven point Hopkins lead soon melted to 31-29 after a thrree by Steffi Comer. However one Tonka possession prior to that Sension picked up her 4th foul as Skiem finished off an "&1". Just as soon as the Skippers closed the lead, Hopkins pushed it out with a 7-0 run with Hanna Muegge answering with a three and then a jumper. Then Hopkins went on a 1/9 possession sequence. They opened that sequence with four straight turnovers. Katy Winge hit a three to cut the Hopkins lead to 39-36. Minnetonka kept close, but Skiem picked up foul #4 with 9:07 left and the score 41-38. So both centers were in the 
same boat. Kara Elofson finished a break to make it 46-40 for the Royals with about 7 minutes left. Hopkins fell into a 1/8 dry spell and Minnetonka took advantage with a couple of deep 2s by Kate Constable. It was 48-46 with 4:45 to go. It was a white knuckle ride from there to the end. Sension fouled out at the 3:39 mark on an offensive foul. Skiem was able to enjoy the absence of her opponent for one whole possession. Skiem fouled out with 3:15 left after an over the back call. Both teams were a combined 0/8 during this sequence. Second shots again helped the Hopkins cause. Elofson had 9 straight points for Hopkins from the 7 minute mark to 1:12 left. On the Tonka side it was Ashley Dohrer doing the heavy lifting. She scored six straight points to make it 53-52. Minnetonka was forced to foul and the last three Hopkins possessions resulted in five points at the line. Hopkins was happy to see Minnetonka get on the bus for home.
key: player (grad year) points, possessions, pp100, floor %
HOPKINS
STARTERS
Jenna Lillemoe (09) 0, 2, 0.0, .000 perimeter. Didn't get many free looks. needs to get stronger upper body.
Stephanie Sension (08) 6, 11, 54.5, .273 post player. fouls extremely limited her performance in the second half. All her points were in the first half. picked up offensive fouls. tried to draw charges, but instead was called for the block.
Caitlin Rowland (08) 14, 12, 116.7, .667 Steady, composed. intelligent choices. in right spot for rebounds. scored inside. posted late when Sension was out. went to the line three times. good communicator. helped direct offensive flow verbally.
Hannna Muegge (08) 10, 13, 76.9, .308 point guard. good athlete, active on defense. made two 3s. late in the game had turnovers when Tonka was desperate. passing choices.
Kara Elofson (09) 15, 12, 125.0, .667 strong, athletic, put Hopkins on her back in the end. made key shots inside. defense was hanging on her and she got the shot off and finished. runs the floor. good offensive rebounder. went to the line three times.
BENCH
Hana Potter (10) 3, 10, 30.0, .200 post. Needs to finish in the paint. needs to work on scoring with contact. came up with big rebounds late in the game. needs to improve passing decisons.
Tess Komarek (09) 2, 3, 66.7, .333 perimeter
Brianna Williams (11) 8, 11, 72.7, .364 perimeter pirahna. can hit a three. speed. a pain for other team when bringing the ball up court.
Julia Wiemer (11) 0, 0, 0.0, .000 guard
MINNETONKA
STARTERS
Jordan Skiem (08) 9, 10, 90.0, .400 post player. hampered with fouls. tried to bargain with the refs. took 12 footers from the wings at times, but most success came in side. needs to avoid fouls with more foot movement, better position and better balance.
Kate Constable (09) 10, 15, 66.7, .333 perimeter. had a stronger second half. needs to be aware of three point line. had a couple of deep 2s on the left side. needs to finish in transition. avoided a chance for a basket & 1 in transition with pull up.
Ashley Dohrer (08) 8, 11, 73.7, .364 small guard. had four d rebounds (second most on team). sacrificed body for a couple of charges. attacked without fear late in the game and delivered. needs to imporve passing choices.
Steffi Comer (09) 16, 23, 69.6, .348 perimeter had 12 points in the second half. 3 range. runs the floor.
Katy Winge (11) 10, 12, 83.3, .333 perimeter. more comfortable taking shots off the pass. made two 3s. had a nice drive late on curl. needs to get stronger upper body.
BENCH
Shannon Kurkowski (10) 0, 3, 0.0, .000
Sarah Holden (08) 0, 1, 0.0, .000
TRENCH PLAYERKara Elofson
BY THE NUMBERS
Hopkins 58, 74, 78.4, .405
Minnetonka 53, 76, 69.7, .329
made 3s: Hopkins 3, Minnetonka 3
ftm/fta-ft%: Hopkins 13/23-.565; Minnetonka 8/14-.571
bench: Hopkins 13, Minnetonka 0
Hopkins held a clear advantage on the offensive glass with 18 second chance points to 9 for Minnetonka.
DEFENSIVE WRAPS
HOPKINS
Hanna Muegge 9
Hana Potter 7
Stephanie Sension 6
Caitlin Rowland 6
Kara Elofson 4
Brianna Williams 4
Jenna Lillemoe 3
Tess Komarek 1
Julia Wiemer 1
totals: 41
MINNETONKA
Ashley Dohrer 9
Kate Constable 7
Jordan Skiem 6.5
Katy Winge 5.5
Steffi Comer 4
Sarah Holden 2
totals: 34
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Hopkins played man most of the night. They also used 2/3 zone.
Minnetonka stayed with 2/3 most of the night. They had to go to man late when Hopkins was stalling.
match ups: (Minnetonka off/Hopkins def) Comer/Lillemoe; Dohrer/Muegge; Winge/Elofson; Constable/Rowland; Skiem/Sension;
(Hopkins off/Minnetonka def) Rowland/Comer; Williams/Constable; Potter/Holden; Muegge/Dohrer; Elofson/Winge
Next up: tomorrow morning
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