Out & About: MN Thunder/Prior Lake Hardwood Heat

#4 posting 4.14.2008
your daily dose of girls basketball news & information

This game took place on Saturday, April 12
MYAS St. Louis Park tournament
16u 1 pool play
MN THUNDER 49, PRIOR LAKE HARDWOOD HEAT 30

This is the first of nine reports over the weekend. This is the first of the four Saturday games. Unfortunately I got to St. Louis Park a little late and did not catch the opening few minutes. I think I have a pretty good feel for both teams however.

This tournament was 14 minutes stop time until a team pulls ahead by 20+ when running time kicks in.

I walked in with the Thunder up 12-7. PLHH scored to cut it to three and then the Thunder started raining 3s. They made four the rest of the first half and added three more in the second for a lucky 7. Megan Evangelista hit two 3s in a row to start the reign of 3s to make it 18-9. Later it was Amber Hames knocking down two more in the first half. The Thunder worked the ball around both sides of the floor and looked to go inside to the posts. If they were feeling the Heat they kicked it out, or fanned to the other side of the floor. It was 30-14 at half.

Hames started the second half with her 3rd trey which ignited a 14-1 run for the Thunder to start the half. The Heat was cold for seven straight possessions and 1/10 to start the half. Shana Oberlander scored six straight for the Thunder on the inside to make it 41-15. The game soon became a running time affair and the Thunder pushed their biggest lead to 49-22 with under 2:30 to go. PLHH kept battling to the end as Paige Foster nailed two 3s on the last two Heat possessions to cut the score to 49-30.

I have to mention that PLHH had great uniforms, plus they had their names on the back which is always a benefit.

photos: #1 Schuster of PLHH goes up for a lay up with Megan Evangelista defending for the Thunder. #2. Shana Oberlander shoots from the left block in the second half during her three basket run. Notice the sign on the wall--"We take risks" photos by kja

key: player, school, points, possessions, pp100, floor %
Since I wasn't there at the start, 2nd Half Starters will be listed.
MN THUNDER
Megan Evangelista, Chaska 8, 6, 133.3, .500 one of the 3 point weapons for the Thunder. Made two when I was watching. needs to stay lower on defense.
Makensie Becker, Maple Grove 4, 5, 80.0, .400 runs the floor. crashes offensive glass. needs to be stronger with the ball.
Amber Hames, Blaine 12, 8, 150.0, .500 found gold at the end of the rainbow four times. was the point guard. led team with assists too. needs to shorten passes against press.
Allison Ballstadt, Blaine 3, 2, 150.0, .500 perimeter, another 3 point archer.
Lindsay Kaminski, Benilde-St. Margaret's 0, 0. 0.0, .000
BENCH
Megan Westman, Hopkins 2, 3, 66.7, .333 scored off back cut
Megan Chalmers, Hopkins 2, 3, 66.7, .333 scored on drive.
Shana Oberlander, Cambridge-Isanti 6, 3, 200.0, 1.000 all her points in the paint on post ups. uses left hand.
Kirsten Raines, Hopkins 0, 1, 0.0, .000 smaller guard
Jane Oliverius, Hopkins 0, 0, 0.0, .000

PRIOR LAKE HARDWOOD HEAT
Swenson 2, 3, 66.7, .333
Ashley Brule 6, 5, 120.0, .600
Konerza 5, 7, 71.4, .429 scored in transition and had 3 points on put backs
Schuster 0, 4, 0.0, .000 led both teams with four assists.
Paige Foster 6, 4, 150.0, .500 drained two 3s late. active hands on defense
Kailey Anderson 1, 3, 33.3, .333
Lind 3, 4, 75.0, .500 went to the line twice.
Ott 0, 1, 0.0, .000
Jaderston 0, 0, 0.0, .000

TRENCH PLAYER
Amber Hames

BY THE NUMBERS
MN Thunder 37, 31, 119.4, .484
Prior Lake Hardwood Heat 23, 31, 74.2, .387
made 3s: MT 7, PLHH 2
ftm/fta-ft%: PLHH 5/11-.455; MT 0/4-.000
turnovers: MT 10, PLHH 6
steals: PLHH 5, MT 4
Bench: MT 8
It is odd that the Thunder did not make one free throw when I was there.

DEFENSIVE WRAPS
MN THUNDER
Allison Ballstadt 5
Amber Hames 3
Megan Westman 3
Shana Oberlander 2
Megan Evangelista 1
Makensie Becker 1
Lindsay Kaminski 1
totals: 16

PRIOR LAKE HARDWOOD HEAT
Paige Foster 4
Ashley Brule 2
Kailey Anderson 2
Konerza 1
Ott 1
Lind 1
totals: 11

ASSISTS
MN THUNDER
Amber Hames 3 Allison Ballstadt 2
Megan Evangelista 1
Makensie Becker 1
Megan Westman 1
Megan Chalmers 1
Kirsten Raines 1
Lindsay Kaminski 1
Jane Oliverius 1
totals: 12

PRIOR LAKE HARDWOOD HEAT
Schuster 4
Paige Foster 2
Kailey Anderson 1
Lind 1
totals: 8

On Sunday the Dynamite beat the Thunder in the championship 40-29. Here are the complete St. Louis Park results.

Next up: MN Stars Black vs MN Stars White later (like evening) today.