Out & About: Totino-Grace/Benilde-St. Margaret's

#9 posting 2.7.2008
your daily dose of girls basketball news & information

TOTINO-GRACE eagles 56,
BENILDE-ST. MARGARET'S knights 44

These two Catholic powers in the North Suburban, and state tournament entrants, came into the contest riding long winning streaks, TG had 19 straight wins, BSM 9. TG had not lost since November. TG kept the streak alive as they rallied from a four point deficit and out scored BSM 33-17 the rest of the way to hold on to sole possession of first place in the North Suburban. TG is now 20-2 overall, BSM 13-7.

The first half was similar to the NFL games. Time of possession was a stat that BSM held the advantage on. There were only 25 possessions, and BSM had longer, thorough possessions. They worked the ball around and around and around. Neither team had leads bigger than three points. TG held that at 12-9. There were six ties in the half and that is how it ended up at the break 20 all. It seemed like both teams didn't want to have their winning streaks halted.

BSM had a 7-3 run to start the second half to lead with 14 minutes to go 27-23. In fact the margin could have been bigger. Colleen Raune made the first of two free throws. Madelon Morin got the rebound off the missed second, but a three attempt by Itisha Alexander failed to connect. The TG come back started at that point when Veronica Scott gathered in the rebound. On that same possession she nailed a three from the left wing. That started a four possession scoring string by the Eagles as they put together the game changing 10-0 run. Scott had five of those points and Jessica Meyer added another 3 pointer. That made the score 33-27. TG had another scoring string, this time 6 in a row. This time the run was 12-7. Lizzi Naumann had 6 of those points. That made the score 45-36. BSM had problems attacking the extended 2/3 TG zone as evidenced in the 1/9 scoring string. The Eagles were doubling up, pressuring the perimeter. BSM was content taking 3s, but the possessions were shorter after falling behind. The last 1:30 of the game was spent at the line for TG. The veteran, physical TG team kept their winning streak going. The youthful, perimeter oriented BSM team's winning streak was stopped at nine.

photos: #1. Colleen Raune of Benilde-St. Margaret's drives to the basket. Sasha McHale and Jackie Meyer are the TG players. #2. Jessica Meyer, in transition, is about to be fouled by Itisha Alexander. photos by kja. Coach Teas was watching the Gophers/ Illinois game.

key: player (grad year) points, possessions, pp100, floor %
TOTINO-GRACE
STARTERS
Veronica Scott (08) 11, 6, 183.3, .833 perimeter player, strong, runs floor, physical, 3 range, moves without the ball. delivered at the line. took care of the ball. made good decisions. key 3 initiated comeback.
Jessica Meyer (08) 15, 18, 83.3, .389 tough nosed point guard. aggressive, attacked basket. has 3 range, went to the line four times. can go behind the back on the dribble. exposes the ball. needs to make better passing decisions.
Jackie Meyer (09) 2, 5, 40.0, .200 perimeter player
Lizzi Naumann (09) 10, 8, 125.0, .500 post player. long, lanky, always three defenders around her when she touched the ball. exposes the ball. needs to get stronger.
Sasha McHale (08) 6, 7, 85.7, .571 was a defensive stopper tonight. long arms, gets after the ball. late in the game went to the line three times. needs to square up on shot.
BENCH
Lauren Palkert (08) 6, 7, 85.7, .429 very active in the second half. perimeter player. lanky. runs the floor. defensively had four steals was up top on the 2/3. on offensive at times moves to fast
Samantha Laventure (08) 6, 5, 120.0, .600 scored on the give and go. had quick fouls in the first half.
Lauren Soukup (09) 0, 3, 0.0, .000 perimeter. looks to take 3s.

BENILDE-ST. MARGARET'S
STARTERS
Itisha Alexander (10) 7, 10, 70.0, .300 perimeter player. looks to take 3s.
Danielle Bennett-Curry (09) 10, 14, 71.4, .357 strong forward, hit some mid range jumpers. needs to improve passing, ball handling.
Colleen Ruane (08) 14, 12, 116.7, .500 point guard. runs the floor. scored off the dribble. went to the line five times. attempted 3s.
Jessie Tumini (08) 0, 1, 0.0, .000 forward
Madelon Morin (08) 2, 1, 200.0, 1.000 the hard hat, lunch bucket type. physical and tough. involved in the mix. wasn't a factor on offense unless she came up with offensive rebounds.
BENCH
Olivia Antilla (12) 6, 5, 120.0, .600 youngster. big, strong, nice stroke, 12-15 footers.
Laura Kosch (10) 5, 9, 55.6, .222 perimeter. can hit 3.
Cy'erra Mills (11) 0, 6, 0.0, .000 perimeter. has strong, quick moves. needs to be ready for the ball.
Christine Hanks (09) 0, 1, 0.0, .000

TRENCH PLAYER
the argument could be made for a number of TG players, but tonight it is Veronica Scott

BY THE NUMBERS
Totino-Grace 56, 59, 94.9, .458
Benilde-St. Margaret's 44, 59, 74.6, .339
made 3s: TG 2, BSM 2
ftm/fta-ft%: TG 14/21-.667; BSM 10/11-.909
bench: TG 12, BSM 11
TG in the 1st half: 76.9 pp100; 2nd half: 109.1 pp100.
BSM in the 1st half: 80.0 pp100; 2nd half: 70.6 pp100

DEFENSIVE WRAPS
TOTINO-GRACE
Sasha McHale 9
Lauren Palkert 6
Veronica Scott 4
Jessica Meyer 4
Lizzi Naumann 3
Lauren Soukup 2
Samantha Laventure 2
totals: 30

BENILDE-ST. MARGARET'S
Danielle Bennett-Curry 6
Colleen Ruane 6
Madelon Morin 6
Itisha Alexander 2
Olivia Antilla 2
Laura Kosch 2
Cy'erra Mills 2
totals: 26

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
TG started man and then squeezed BSM with the 2/3 looking to trap
BSM started man, went to 2/3, and back to man once they started falling behind.
match ups:
BSM off/TG def: first half---Ruane/Jessica Meyer; Alexander/Jackie Meyer; Bennett-Curry/McHale; Morin/Scott; Tumini/Naumann
TG off/BSM def: first half----Scott/Alexander; Jessica Meyer/Ruane; Naumann/Bennett-Curry; Jackie Meyer/Tumini; McHale/Morin
TG off/BSM def: second half:---Jessica Meyer/Alexander; Palkert/Kosch; Soukup/Antilla; Naumann/Bennett-Curry;

Next up: tomorrow morning