Spy Out & About: 2AAAA Semifinals

#1 posting 3.2.2008
your daily dose of girls basketball news & information

Here are a pair of spy out & abouts

Out & About: Chaska/Edina

2AAAA SEMIFINALS
Chaska Hawks 58, Edina Hornets 48

Chaska guards Courtney Boylan and Brooke Brown combined for 34 points from outside, while teammates Brittany Travis, Brianna Tisch and Ellen Degler dominated the interior, as the Hawks brushed off the Hornets in the second half. Boylan's deft passing against the Edina zone gave Brown several wide-open looks; senior guard Jenna Willems joined in the long-ball fest as well. A scoring drought and rebounding deficit spelled a long, slow fade by the Hornets, who were led by sophomore guard Taylor Young (18) and senior point guard Natalie Pastor, rounding out her high-school career with 11.

Out & About: Bloomington Kennedy/Richfield

2AAAA SEMIFINALS
Bloomington Kennedy Eagles 58, Richfield Spartans 45

Kennedy sophomore guard Shakila Boler scored early and often, tallying a season high 28 points for the Eagles. Kennedy opened with a 7-0 run, never trailed, and weathered both foul trouble in the post and a furious surge by Richfield in the waning moments of the first half that carried over to the start of the second half. But the Spartans saw that golden opportunity slip away, owing to bad/muffed passes and shooting woes. Save for guard Jamie Noonan and a series of drives by Mandy Poke in the second half, Richfield was ice-cold from the field, with Pamela January's shot particularly lodged in the deep-freeze. Kennedy's depth was tested when a constant stream of fouls landed starting posts Bailey Lund, Alexis Holt, and Brittany Zins, on the pine in the first half. Senior reserve Kelly Boelter contributed points, rebounds, and rugged play inside. Richfield was largely unsuccessful in defending the red-hot Boler; after trying three defenders on her with similar results (dismal), they came with the double to start the second half, but were unable to sustain either it or their own comeback. Kennedy will tangle with Chaska in the Section 2AAAA Finals Friday at St. Olaf College in Northfield.

Next up: Minnesota results yesterday