Out & About: 2A/4A

#3 posting 4.23.2008
your daily dose of girls basketball news & information

This game took place Saturday, April 19
MINNESOTA COACHES ALL STAR GAME
at St. Thomas
2A 87, 4A 70

Many people looked at this score as an upset. But for those that follow the blog during the high school season know that 2A had some deep talent this year. Coach Teas & I thought the 2A state tournament was going to be the most competitive. That talent rose up and took the 4A down 87-70 in the second game Saturday at St. Thomas. 2A played the game like the old Bill Russell Boston Celtics-- as a team-- while the 4A played the style angle like the Los Angeles Lakers. The fact was that 4A had seven D1 players on the roster while 2A had three. 4A plays tough competition day in and day out. All the 4A players travel around the country in the summer tournaments. But 2A were not intimidated by the bigger schools and had could shoot, shoot, shoot. I think one big difference is 2A had shooters on their roster, while 4A had scorers. The smaller schools also took better care of the ball and didn't breakdown under the 4A pressure. Another factor in 2As advantage--they had 8 players 5-10 or bigger compared to 4A with five. That advantage is pronounced on the perimeter. All were potent ingredients in this upset. This was the first time 4A lost in a first round game in this series.

Kamille Wahlin got things going first with a pull up after the fourth 2A possession. On the next 2A possession Becca Friestleben knocked down the first of five 3s. 2A did have a mini drought of five but 4A didn't take advantage of the down time. 4A did tie the game at 9 on a three by Brittnye McSparron. 4A did have a lead at 13-11 after a rebound basket by Ephesia Holmes. On the next eight 4A possessions they were only able to find the bottom of the basket once. 2A didn't take time off and went of a 8-2 run to lead 19-15. Friestleben with another 3 put 2A up for good. The biggest class was able to get the margin down to one twice, the last at 23-22, but 2A always had an answer. The answer this time was a Taylor Voss three. 2A had a 9-4 run in four straight possessions to take a 41-32 lead. Again the 2As struck gold behind the arc with Jenny Gilbertson dropping the bomb. 2A led 48-39 at half. Kiara Buford had 10 points to lead 4A. Friestleben led the 2A with 9.

Friestleben drained her 4th three on the first possession of the second half. The 2As pushed the lead to 14 before a five possession drought breathed new life into the 4As. They managed to cut the margin to 58-51 after a three by Holmes. The give and take of the game, the push the pull kept the margin in the 12 to 8 point range. 4A had one last great push with five straight scores. The problem was 2A also managed to score during the same time. 2A led 76-68 with 6:29 left. Then there was a power outage. It affected both teams and lasted 14 possessions and three minutes. The 2As had 7 empty possessions but the power outage lasted one longer. It was a 1/13 finish for the big school. Meanwhile the 2As finished up with six straight scores. Wahlin started it off with a jumper and four different 2A players scored afterward. It wasn't the 4A had chances, sometimes they had multiple chances on each possession. The proverbial Davids slayed the Goliaths 87-70.

2A only had nine players in action. Renae Henjum of New London-Spicer was out due to a knee injury.
Albany coach Jon Noreen was sporting a clean face. After the state tournament win he was forced to shave the moustache off by the team.


Photos: #1 Courtney Boylan sails through the air on a lay up attempt. #2. Becca Friestleben ready fire another 3. photos by Teas.

key: player, school, points, possessions, pp100, floor %
2A
STARTERS
Becca Friestleben, Holy Family 15, 13, 115.4, .385 Where I was sitting I could here 4A fans go "oh no" every time she caught the ball and shot. deadly behind the arc with five 3s on the night. also was a force on defense with the most d stops.
Angie Jetvig, Hawley 17, 12, 141.7, .750 unknown to most of the crowd. We named her player of the week late in February so we were aware of her ability to handle the ball and smooth style in the paint. tough enough to get hit and score. Left an impact on the crowd and 4A players.
Kamille Wahlin, Crookston 8, 8, 100.0, .500 the floor general for 2A. great vision. involves the team. gets the ball to the player before they know they are open. nice pull up. lefty.
Jenny Gilbertson, Winona Cotter 15, 15, 100.0, .400 a post player that runs the floor. also has 3 point range (3 times).
Faith Tinklenberg, Pipestone 13, 11, 118.2, .636 has competitive drive. understands the game. balanced. contributed on all phases. runs the floor.
BENCH
Alex Montgomery, Cannon Falls 4, 7, 57.1, .286 another lefty. post player with perimeter shooting ability. also runs the floor.
Jennie Noreen, Albany 4, 7, 57.1, .286 guard. has quickness and slashing ability.
Leslie Wilson, Hayfield 2, 5, 40.0, .200 guard.
Taylor Voss, Albany 9, 7, 128.6, .571 shooting guard. runs the floor.

4A
STARTERS
Ephesia Holmes, Mpls South 9, 10, 90.0, .400 point guard. has good body control. delivered a three.
Kiara Allums, Centennial 6, 11, 54.5, .273 athletic forward. runs the floor.
Jordyn Sears, St. Cloud Tech 0, 5, 0.0, .000 guard. transition game was closed to her.
Jackie Voigt, Park-Cottage Grove 8, 6, 133.3, .667 post with perimeter shooting.
Emily Becken, Centennial 5, 6, 83.3, .500 guard.
BENCH
Molly Geske, Cretin-Derham Hall 4, 5, 80.0, .400 perimeter.
Stephanie Sension, Hopkins 1, 7, 14.3, .143 post player. needs to protect the ball better. ball was exposed. on defense the refs weren't buying the charges
Kiara Buford, St. Paul Central 19, 15, 126.7, .667 led both teams in scoring. very active around the basket. had five points on second shots. can score a variety of ways. built to run.
Courtney Boylan, Chaska 9, 10, 90.0, .400 led her team in assists. has strength and body control. Knocked down a three.
Brittnye McSparron, Eastview 9, 11, 81.8, .364 has pull up shot down. quick hands. passes were a bit off.

TRENCH PLAYER
Angie Jetvig

BY THE NUMBERS
2A 87, 85, 102.4, .471
4A 70, 86, 81.4, .419
made 3s: 2A 9, 4A 3
ftm/fta-ft%: 2A 10/12-.833; 4A 11/18-.611
bench: 4A 42, 2A 32

DEFENSIVE WRAPS
2A
Becca Friestleben 9.5
Angie Jetvig 6
Alex Montgomery 6
Faith Tinklenberg 5.5
Taylor Voss 3
Jenny Gilbertson 2.5
Kamille Wahlin 2
Leslie Wilson 1.5
Jennie Noreen 1
totals 37

4A
Jackie Voigt 6
Brittnye McSparron 6
Ephesia Holmes 5
Kiara Allums 5
Courtney Boylan 3
Jordyn Sears 2
Emily Becken 2
Stephanie Sension 2
Kiara Buford 2
Mollie Geske 1
totals: 34

ASSISTS
2A
Kamille Wahlin 9
Jenny Gilbertson 8
Faith Tinklenberg 6
Taylor Voss 5
Jennie Noreen 3
Becca Friestleben 2
Leslie Wilson 2
Angie Jetvig 1
totals: 36

4A
Courtney Boylan 6
Kiara Allums 3
Emily Becken 3
Ephesia Holmes 2
Jordyn Sears 2
Jackie Voigt 2
Stephanie Sension 2
Brittnye McSparron 2
Kiara Buford 1
totals: 23

next up: tomorrow