Spy Out & About: DeLaSalle/Minnehaha

#2 posting 2.23.2008
your daily dose of girls basketball news & information

Deciding on which game to go to when there are so many to choose from is a Sophie's Choice moment. I usually decide to go with teams I haven't seen yet and are on a list of teams that I feel I need to see. Last night I went up to the Red River Valley to watch Hawley & East Grand Forks two 8AA teams. They live in the same section as Crookston. I felt I better see both before the tournaments started. If you think the choices last night were rough, wait until section finals.

One of the games that I would have liked to attend was the AAA top 5 battle between #1 DeLaSalle and #3 Minnehaha. Luckily I have a reader submitted article that I hope you will enjoy. If you have written reports you can go to my profile and email me. So without further delay---

DE LA SALLE islanders 58
MINNEHAHA red hawks 55

Red Hawks Submit to Tori Rule

In a contest to determine outright or shared ownership of the Tri-Metro West title, the visiting DeLaSalle Islanders defeated the host Minnehaha Academy Redhawks 58-55.

Minnehaha, known for its long-ball game, made three consecutive layups to start the game. DeLaSalle was ragged and over-amped at times during this sequence, but they soon settled into a rhythm, particularly after getting the ball to post Aaryn Booker. The rugged Islander post led all scorers with 19, all but 4 of those points scored before halftime. In the end, however, Booker's freshman teammate, 5-8 guard Sattoria Rule, made the key plays and points to seal the victory for the Islanders.

Throughout the first half, the Red Hawks kept things close by shaking loose from the DeLaSalle man-to-man pressure for open threes, and by nailing foul shots. Their inside defense on Booker was affected by two quick fouls to reserve post, 6-4 freshman Katelyn Adams.

Halftime score: DeLaSalle 31, Minnehaha 26.

The opening minutes of the second half featured increased defensive pressure and offensive execution by the Islanders, who built a lead of 49-37. The Red Hawks fought back on steals, stopping the Islanders for two consecutive possessions. Their zone defense, with 5-11 senior post Sarah Peterson on top and an active Adams playing more minutes than the first half inside, reduced Booker's inside touches.

Kovalchuk and the Hudnells, Keke and Meme, had some key plays, too, but the end game was very much about Rule. She was very active in the offense they ran almost every possession of the last ten minutes of the second half. With the score tied at 55 with less than a minute and a half to go, Rule made a hard drive to the basket, got fouled, and hit one of two free throws. The next possession, she hit the final basket of the game. Coach Frye had a good game plan to keep the interchangeable 5-5 -sons from shaking loose on screens for the remainder of the game. Minnehaha had one last possession to tie the game. 5-9 sophomore wing Rachel Hansen had a look but the shot was far short and the Islanders emerged victorious.

Oh, and BEST NATIONAL ANTHEM OF THE SEASON.

Thank you mystery writer.

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