#9 posting 3.9.2008
your daily dose of girls basketball news & information
THE WEEK THAT WAS #17: The Big O or MO
11 games in 7 days. Favored teams fell by the wayside. Slow starts spelled doom. Teams survived. Teams thrived. Other teams came back with the door left ajar. Midnight struck for State tournament dreams, while others are going to the ball.
Getting to state is a life long goal for some players and teams. Some great players never get to get under the lights. The opportunity is there to do something special. The teams and players that claim the corner of Perspiration and Preparation will be on Victory Lane when all is said and done.
FINALS WEEK
We saw every class this week, from A to AAAA. We saw spirited fans in A. In fact I had to move, not once but four times to get a better view of the West Lutheran vs New Life game. I like facing the benches, but that wasn’t going to happen Saturday with the rabid fans. Chants went back and forth, but perhaps the best chant was “No school Thursday” chant by New Life when it was obvious the game was over. Both groups stood the entire game.
Another great atmosphere was the Osseo vs Centennial game. Studen support from each school was great. Since I got there late I had to stand on a chair. There were no seats left in the bleachers at Anoka and the east end zone was open. I tried sitting in a chair but the Osseo cheerleaders blocked any view at all. Coach Teas tried taking a photo and got a lens full of pom-pom.
There were other crowds but the student support was quite thin or at least not as raucus. But you know it is a big game when you get to the game an hour early and fans are already sitting in the seats.
It was also great to see ex-players and parents of ex-players during the week. Katie Doerr (and baby) watching her sister. Old South players who are now older than I was when I started at South…that dates me (and them). This is a great time of year to rehash the past battles of yesteryear.
MORE VALUABLE THAN GOLD
The trend that came up this week more than any, was the pace of the game. During the season the average possession count was 67.7, now the count is 60.9. Every possession is even more valuable. If there is a mistake, the team pays for it at the other end. Transition is drying up. Half court rules. The pp100 has dropped from 81.51 to 79.96 and the floor % dropped from .394 to .383. Offensive execution is at a premium. The teams that can move the ball, make good decisions, and find the open player move on. Those that take poor shots, off balance shots, and forced shots see their season end.
Here is the breakdowns for each class this season
Class, points, possessions, pp100, floor %
AAAA: 56.7, 67.4, 84.2, .408
AAA: 53.3, 67.4, .79.06, .380
AA: 57.2, .69.8, 82.1, .393
A: 47.4, 65.9, 71.9, .346
So across the board possessions have dropped.
TEAM OF THE WEEK
For the upset of #1 Centennial, Osseo gets the honor this week. I wasn’t there for the start (I was at the Minneapolis South/Hopkins championship) so I missed out on the critical first half where Osseo took control. I can respond that they played with determination in the second half and played to win. They responded each and every time Centennial made a move to cut the margin. They did not crack when facing the Centennial heat.
All this despite the fact that Osseo got beat by the Cougars in the first meeting by 40. That may have played to Osseo’s advantage as everything went right for Centennial that day, and the Orioles weren’t 40 points worse. The next time they played it was more competitive, but the center Jennifer Sunnarborg was out with a concussion. Everyone was healthy in round three, the round that mattered.
The Orioles have an athletic group, a healthy balance of perimeter and post, and right now believe they can do anything—including winning state. After all they beat the #1 team.
your daily dose of girls basketball news & information
THE WEEK THAT WAS #17: The Big O or MO
11 games in 7 days. Favored teams fell by the wayside. Slow starts spelled doom. Teams survived. Teams thrived. Other teams came back with the door left ajar. Midnight struck for State tournament dreams, while others are going to the ball.
Getting to state is a life long goal for some players and teams. Some great players never get to get under the lights. The opportunity is there to do something special. The teams and players that claim the corner of Perspiration and Preparation will be on Victory Lane when all is said and done.
FINALS WEEK
We saw every class this week, from A to AAAA. We saw spirited fans in A. In fact I had to move, not once but four times to get a better view of the West Lutheran vs New Life game. I like facing the benches, but that wasn’t going to happen Saturday with the rabid fans. Chants went back and forth, but perhaps the best chant was “No school Thursday” chant by New Life when it was obvious the game was over. Both groups stood the entire game.
Another great atmosphere was the Osseo vs Centennial game. Studen support from each school was great. Since I got there late I had to stand on a chair. There were no seats left in the bleachers at Anoka and the east end zone was open. I tried sitting in a chair but the Osseo cheerleaders blocked any view at all. Coach Teas tried taking a photo and got a lens full of pom-pom.
There were other crowds but the student support was quite thin or at least not as raucus. But you know it is a big game when you get to the game an hour early and fans are already sitting in the seats.
It was also great to see ex-players and parents of ex-players during the week. Katie Doerr (and baby) watching her sister. Old South players who are now older than I was when I started at South…that dates me (and them). This is a great time of year to rehash the past battles of yesteryear.
MORE VALUABLE THAN GOLD
The trend that came up this week more than any, was the pace of the game. During the season the average possession count was 67.7, now the count is 60.9. Every possession is even more valuable. If there is a mistake, the team pays for it at the other end. Transition is drying up. Half court rules. The pp100 has dropped from 81.51 to 79.96 and the floor % dropped from .394 to .383. Offensive execution is at a premium. The teams that can move the ball, make good decisions, and find the open player move on. Those that take poor shots, off balance shots, and forced shots see their season end.
Here is the breakdowns for each class this season
Class, points, possessions, pp100, floor %
AAAA: 56.7, 67.4, 84.2, .408
AAA: 53.3, 67.4, .79.06, .380
AA: 57.2, .69.8, 82.1, .393
A: 47.4, 65.9, 71.9, .346
So across the board possessions have dropped.
TEAM OF THE WEEK
For the upset of #1 Centennial, Osseo gets the honor this week. I wasn’t there for the start (I was at the Minneapolis South/Hopkins championship) so I missed out on the critical first half where Osseo took control. I can respond that they played with determination in the second half and played to win. They responded each and every time Centennial made a move to cut the margin. They did not crack when facing the Centennial heat.All this despite the fact that Osseo got beat by the Cougars in the first meeting by 40. That may have played to Osseo’s advantage as everything went right for Centennial that day, and the Orioles weren’t 40 points worse. The next time they played it was more competitive, but the center Jennifer Sunnarborg was out with a concussion. Everyone was healthy in round three, the round that mattered.
The Orioles have an athletic group, a healthy balance of perimeter and post, and right now believe they can do anything—including winning state. After all they beat the #1 team.
photo: Kylie Gottsman, Danielle Mangen, Jessica Fife, and Amy Hildenbrand get ready to celebrate as the clock winds down in the Osseo win over Centennial. photo by Teas.
PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Osseo’s Jennifer Sunnarborg came to play on Thursday. The first time they played Sunnarborg had problems finishing. Not this Thursday. She was always an offensive presence but in this contest stepped her game up to another level. She also drew fouls and delivered in crunch time. She went to the line five times. When it came to scoring a basket, she was there and hurt them when it counted. She is a 6-2 post that is physical and will be headed off to Brookings next year for South Dakota State.
Here are the rules to make the team: #1 I have to see the player. #2 Player has to have 10 possessions, #3. player has to be over 100 pp100, and #4 Player has to be over .500 on floor %. Floor % is not shooting %. It is how many times a player scores over possessions. This knocks out a lot of players, especially players that use the 3 point shot.
FIRST TEAM
Courtney Boylan, Chaska (08)
Brittany Chambers, Jordan (09)
Leah Dietel, Jordan (09)
Megan Nipe, Centennial (09)
Jennifer Sunnarborg, Osseo (08)
SECOND TEAM
Alyssa Cegelske, GHEC (11)
Cassandra Meffert, LeSueur-Henderson (08)
Scotti Moats, Waconia (09)
DaNae Moore, Eastview (08)
Jenny Ramey, New Life (09)
THIRD TEAM
Shelby Barnum, Orono (09)
Kristin Hulke, Nicollet (08)
Ashley Jensen, West Lutheran (09)
Sarah Luse, Orono (09)
Jackie Voigt, Park-Cottage Grove (08)
DEFENDER OF THE WEEK
Brittany Chambers is a bundle of energy for Jordan. She was extremely active, and can elevate to get the defensive boards and then lead the charge down to the other end. Extremely driven and intense she hounded the Roosevelt Teddies into rushed shots. She understands the game and is aware. She also notched 2000 points this week. An all around athlete comfortable with any sport she is involved, she is looking for a state championship in basketball to go with her volleyball championship from 2006. (photo will be up tomorrow)
FIRST TEAM
Melissa Borstner, St. Francis
Brynn Caslavka, Delano
Brittany Chambers, Jordan
Tayler Hill, Minneapolis South
Suriya McGuire, Minneapolis Roosevelt
SECOND TEAM
Aaryn Booker, DeLaSalle
Chelsea Durland, Orono
Brittnye McSparron, Eastview
Jackie Voigt, Park-Cottage Grove
Ashley Walterman, GHEC
NEWCOMER OF THE WEEK
In keeping with the trend, the newcomer of the week is done with their season. Scotti Moats of Waconia is a 6-1 junior post player. Strong and physical she patrols the paint for the Wildcats. Good feet and good hands. She was active on the offensive glass and also did the job on the defensive boards.
In order to be eligible for the newcomer award, I can not have charted the player until this week. Next week that means players from Lake of the Woods have a good chance (provided they get out of the quarters). I have seen all the teams this year except LOW and a trio I saw last two years---Rushford-Peterson, Cedar Mountain-Comfrey, and SW Star
Looking at the past winners---8 of the past weekly winners (6 teams) are still standing. On the individual side six of the player of the weeks are still active. Defensively only four are left. There are no newcomers standing.
PAST WINNERS
BOLD indicates teams/players left standing
Team
16 Mpls South
15 Hawley
14 Braham
13 Park Cottage-Grove
12 Mpls South
11 Crookston
10 Centennial
9 New Life Academy
8 Long Beach Poly, CA
7 Hopkins
6 Forest Lake
5 Richfield
4 St. Paul Central
3 Mpls South
2 Hopkins
1 NDSCS CC
Player of the week
16 Tayler Hill, Mpls South
15 Kiley Severson, Hayfield
14 Devin Diedrich, Braham
13 Jackie Voigt, Park-Cottage Grove
12 Tayler Hill, Mpls South
11 Lizzie Traxler, Holy Family
10 Becca Swalla, Riverland CC
9 Lauren Barber, Owatonna
8 Alison Johnson, St. Louis Park
7 Stephanie Sension, Hopkins
6 Hannah Linz, Eden Valley-Watkins
5 Brittnye McSparron, Eastview
4 Rachel Banham, Lakeville North
3 Courtney Boylan, Chaska
2 Megan Nipe, Centennial
1 Tanika Massey, NDSCS CC
Defender
16 Shakila Boler, Bloomington Kennedy
15 Tayler Hill, Mpls South
14 Suriya McGuire, Minneapolis Roosevelt
13 Jengeih Tamba, Park Center
12 Tayler Hill, Mpls South
11 Lizzie Traxler, Holy Family
10 Kiara Allums, Centennial
9 Charmaine Cross, Minneapolis CC
8 Jasmine Dixon, Long Beach Poly CA
7 Meme Hudnell, DeLaSalle
6 Anne Berner, Forest Lake
5 DaNae Moore, Eastview
4 Brianna Mastey, Becker
3 Sarah Hintz, Woodbury
2 Madelyn Houser, North Iowa Area CC
1 Whitney Glazier, Central Lakes CC
Newcomer
16 Bri Davis, Hermantown
15 Angie Jetvig, Hawley
14 Becca Dahlman, Braham
13 Jacki Lode, Coon Rapids
12 Ashley Kirk, MN West CC
11 Taylor Stippel, Stillwater
10 Becca Swalla, Riverland CC
9 Brittany Monio, Minneapolis CC
8 Hope Sevlie, Red Wing
7 Ruby Harvey, St. Paul Arlington
6 Erin Schmeling of St. Croix Lutheran
5 Yaasmiyn Salahu-Din, St. Paul Como Park
4 Hannah Frost, Mahtomedi
1-3 I didn't start the honor until week 4
There is no need to seed the state---check today’s earlier blogs on that issue.
Tomorrow I will have previews on the AAAA and AAA tournaments
Tuesday I will have previews on the AA and A tournaments
I have seen all the AAAA teams at least twice (except for Owatonna which I saw once).
I have seen all the AAA and AA teams once.
In class A I have seen four of the A teams.
Next week will be the final weekly report followed by the season that was in two weeks. If you have a nomination for any and every category, drop me an email.
next up: college reports (the time change and meetings I had today threw my schedule off in a major way.)
PLAYER OF THE WEEKOsseo’s Jennifer Sunnarborg came to play on Thursday. The first time they played Sunnarborg had problems finishing. Not this Thursday. She was always an offensive presence but in this contest stepped her game up to another level. She also drew fouls and delivered in crunch time. She went to the line five times. When it came to scoring a basket, she was there and hurt them when it counted. She is a 6-2 post that is physical and will be headed off to Brookings next year for South Dakota State.
Here are the rules to make the team: #1 I have to see the player. #2 Player has to have 10 possessions, #3. player has to be over 100 pp100, and #4 Player has to be over .500 on floor %. Floor % is not shooting %. It is how many times a player scores over possessions. This knocks out a lot of players, especially players that use the 3 point shot.
FIRST TEAM
Courtney Boylan, Chaska (08)
Brittany Chambers, Jordan (09)
Leah Dietel, Jordan (09)
Megan Nipe, Centennial (09)
Jennifer Sunnarborg, Osseo (08)
SECOND TEAM
Alyssa Cegelske, GHEC (11)
Cassandra Meffert, LeSueur-Henderson (08)
Scotti Moats, Waconia (09)
DaNae Moore, Eastview (08)
Jenny Ramey, New Life (09)
THIRD TEAM
Shelby Barnum, Orono (09)
Kristin Hulke, Nicollet (08)
Ashley Jensen, West Lutheran (09)
Sarah Luse, Orono (09)
Jackie Voigt, Park-Cottage Grove (08)
DEFENDER OF THE WEEK
Brittany Chambers is a bundle of energy for Jordan. She was extremely active, and can elevate to get the defensive boards and then lead the charge down to the other end. Extremely driven and intense she hounded the Roosevelt Teddies into rushed shots. She understands the game and is aware. She also notched 2000 points this week. An all around athlete comfortable with any sport she is involved, she is looking for a state championship in basketball to go with her volleyball championship from 2006. (photo will be up tomorrow)
FIRST TEAM
Melissa Borstner, St. Francis
Brynn Caslavka, Delano
Brittany Chambers, Jordan
Tayler Hill, Minneapolis South
Suriya McGuire, Minneapolis Roosevelt
SECOND TEAM
Aaryn Booker, DeLaSalle
Chelsea Durland, Orono
Brittnye McSparron, Eastview
Jackie Voigt, Park-Cottage Grove
Ashley Walterman, GHEC
NEWCOMER OF THE WEEKIn keeping with the trend, the newcomer of the week is done with their season. Scotti Moats of Waconia is a 6-1 junior post player. Strong and physical she patrols the paint for the Wildcats. Good feet and good hands. She was active on the offensive glass and also did the job on the defensive boards.
In order to be eligible for the newcomer award, I can not have charted the player until this week. Next week that means players from Lake of the Woods have a good chance (provided they get out of the quarters). I have seen all the teams this year except LOW and a trio I saw last two years---Rushford-Peterson, Cedar Mountain-Comfrey, and SW Star
Looking at the past winners---8 of the past weekly winners (6 teams) are still standing. On the individual side six of the player of the weeks are still active. Defensively only four are left. There are no newcomers standing.
PAST WINNERS
BOLD indicates teams/players left standing
Team
16 Mpls South
15 Hawley
14 Braham
13 Park Cottage-Grove
12 Mpls South
11 Crookston
10 Centennial
9 New Life Academy
8 Long Beach Poly, CA
7 Hopkins
6 Forest Lake
5 Richfield
4 St. Paul Central
3 Mpls South
2 Hopkins
1 NDSCS CC
Player of the week
16 Tayler Hill, Mpls South
15 Kiley Severson, Hayfield
14 Devin Diedrich, Braham
13 Jackie Voigt, Park-Cottage Grove
12 Tayler Hill, Mpls South
11 Lizzie Traxler, Holy Family
10 Becca Swalla, Riverland CC
9 Lauren Barber, Owatonna
8 Alison Johnson, St. Louis Park
7 Stephanie Sension, Hopkins
6 Hannah Linz, Eden Valley-Watkins
5 Brittnye McSparron, Eastview
4 Rachel Banham, Lakeville North
3 Courtney Boylan, Chaska
2 Megan Nipe, Centennial
1 Tanika Massey, NDSCS CC
Defender
16 Shakila Boler, Bloomington Kennedy
15 Tayler Hill, Mpls South
14 Suriya McGuire, Minneapolis Roosevelt
13 Jengeih Tamba, Park Center
12 Tayler Hill, Mpls South
11 Lizzie Traxler, Holy Family
10 Kiara Allums, Centennial
9 Charmaine Cross, Minneapolis CC
8 Jasmine Dixon, Long Beach Poly CA
7 Meme Hudnell, DeLaSalle
6 Anne Berner, Forest Lake
5 DaNae Moore, Eastview
4 Brianna Mastey, Becker
3 Sarah Hintz, Woodbury
2 Madelyn Houser, North Iowa Area CC
1 Whitney Glazier, Central Lakes CC
Newcomer
16 Bri Davis, Hermantown
15 Angie Jetvig, Hawley
14 Becca Dahlman, Braham
13 Jacki Lode, Coon Rapids
12 Ashley Kirk, MN West CC
11 Taylor Stippel, Stillwater
10 Becca Swalla, Riverland CC
9 Brittany Monio, Minneapolis CC
8 Hope Sevlie, Red Wing
7 Ruby Harvey, St. Paul Arlington
6 Erin Schmeling of St. Croix Lutheran
5 Yaasmiyn Salahu-Din, St. Paul Como Park
4 Hannah Frost, Mahtomedi
1-3 I didn't start the honor until week 4
There is no need to seed the state---check today’s earlier blogs on that issue.
Tomorrow I will have previews on the AAAA and AAA tournaments
Tuesday I will have previews on the AA and A tournaments
I have seen all the AAAA teams at least twice (except for Owatonna which I saw once).
I have seen all the AAA and AA teams once.
In class A I have seen four of the A teams.
Next week will be the final weekly report followed by the season that was in two weeks. If you have a nomination for any and every category, drop me an email.
next up: college reports (the time change and meetings I had today threw my schedule off in a major way.)
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