Friday, October 31, 2008

Scrimmages Set; Ridge Sues, UNI PG Battle

#1 posting 10.31.2008
your daily dose of girls basketball news & information

FALL LEAGUE
Here are the Breakdown's players and team of the week:
Kennedy: players Brianna Tisch, Chaska; Cassie Rochel, Lakeville North; Jevonte Hill, St. Paul Central. team: Eastview
Becker: Players: Katie Loberg, Princeton; Team: Andover

SCRIMMAGES
Sauk Centre will be hosting a 12 team scrimmage on Nov. 22 from 10:00 to 3:00.
Teams include Sauk Centre, Melrose, Long Prairie/Grey Eagle, Paynesville, Park Rapids, Litchfield, Morris, Minnewaska, Hancock, Brandon/Evansville, Royalton, Osakis.

Eagle Valley will hold a jamboree on Saturday, November 22. Prior to that the teams will scrimmage.
Here is the Jamboree schedule. The event will be in Clarissa.
5:30 Upsala vs. Menahga
6:25 St Johns Prep vs. Pillager
7:20 Staples vs. Bertha-Hewitt
8:10 Eagle Valley vs. Verndale

OPEN ENROLLMENT
Chaska and Chanhassen (the new school in the Chaska district) are putting up rules for in district transfers. From the SW Scoreboard.

COACHING NEWS
Cathy Storm is the new girls basketball coach at Marlette, Michigan. From the Port Huron Times Herald.

The NCAA wants to judge coaches by athletic academic performance. From USA Today.

LAWSUIT
RyAnne Ridge, former player with Colorado, has sued the school over breach of contract. She says she was promised a scholarship after transferring from Tulsa. Ridge went to high school at Cedar Rapids Xavier. She left the Buffaloes in March 2008. From the Boulder Daily Camera.

COLLEGE NEWS
D1
BIG 10: Minnesota plays Concordia St. Paul on Sunday at 2 pm in an exhibition.
Badger coach Lisa Stone does a Q&A.
Indiana hosts Southern Indiana Saturday at 4 pm in an exhibition.

BIG 12: Kansas hosts Fort Hays State on Sunday in an exhibition.

BIG EAST: Here is the Marquette promotional schedule. Louisville held their media day yesterday.

GREAT WEST: North Dakota's Kayla Bagaason (Fosston) is back from her knee injury last season. From the Grand Forks Herald.

MID AMERICAN: In the MAC Bowling Green (East) and Ball State (West) are the picks to win the divisions. Here are the preseason picks in the west half: Northern Illinois is 2nd. Central Michigan is 3rd. Western Michigan is 4th. In the East Kent State is picked for 4th.
On the MAC site the conference coaches answered fan questions.

MISSOURI VALLEY: Starting at point guard at Northern Iowa? It is a battle between Jacqui Kalin (Sioux City North) and KK Armstrong (Cedar Rapids Washington). Kalin injured her ankle and is out for two weeks. From the Cedar Rapids Gazette. Northern Iowa is chasing a championship. Plus an "at a glance" From the Des Moines Register.
Drake hosts Quincy on Saturday.

MOUNTAIN WEST: Colorado State opens their season tonight with an exhibition vs Adams State. Here are the game notes. The Rams theme this year is "Getting to Work"

PATRIOT: American is picked for third in the Patriot League.

SUMMIT: South Dakota State's women's basketball team is a role model for all. An editorial in the SDSU Collegian does not want the Jackrabbits to play South Dakota in major sports.

D2
GLIAC: Hillsdale is the pick in the South half. Michigan Tech is the #1 pick in the North. Northern Michigan is picked for 6th in the North. Hillsdale's Katie Cezat (Plymouth Canton) is the GLIAC preseason player of the year.

NORTHERN SUN: SW MN State opens their season today in the Disney Classic. The Mustangs face Delta State. From the Marshall Independent.

D3
WIAC: UW Eau Claire held their Blue & Gold scrimmage. Kaylee Cardinal (Arrowhead) had 14 for the Blue; Hannah Mesick (Chatfield) had 12 for the Gold. The Blue won 69-51. From the Eau Claire Leader-Telegram.
UW Superior has their team and player photos on line.

NAIA:
DAC: Dickinson State is excited about the upcoming season. From the Dickinson Press.
Minot State has to replace quality this season. From the Minot Daily News.
GREAT PLAINS: #2 rated Hastings has high expectations this season. From the Grand Island Independent.

COMMUNITY COLLEGE: NDSCS opens their season Saturday and Sunday with the AmericInn Classic.

Next up: tomorrow unless...

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

Thursday, October 30, 2008

Profile: Dave Preller

#3 posting 10.30.2008
your daily dose of girls basketball news & information

PROFILE: Dave Preller
Today the profile spotlight shines on Dave Preller, coach of the Woodbury Royals. Preller's team won the 2003 State tournament with a perfect 29-0 mark. His career win total is 470. Preller was elected to the Girls Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2002 and is the Minnesota AAU treasurer and head of AAU girls basketball in Minnesota.

your birthday: March 18, 1954

schooling: Green Bay Southwest HS – 1972; UW-Eau Claire, BS, 1977; Univ St. Thomas, MA, 1990.

mentor coaches: Al McQuire, Marquette; Jim Santy(youth baseball coach); Carl Sundby & Merlin Zimmer (high school coaches); Vince Lombardi

basketball coaching jobs : Woodbury HS Girls, Assistant-6 years; Park-CG, Head-2 yrs; Woodbury HS Girls, Head – beginning 22nd year. WAA Traveling Youth coach. AAU at least a half dozen various clubs.

Favorite basketball movie: Hoosiers

Favorite basketball instructional video/tape: The North Carolina System, Dean Smith

Favorite book: Leadership from the Inside Out, Kevin Cashman

Favorite high school gymnasium: Woodbury High School

favorite team growing up: Marquette Warriors

Meal before a game: nothing special; I look forward to “debriefing” with coaches after the game with an appetizer or two.

starting five from your high school career: naming a starting 5 would leave out too many great kids I’ve had the privilege to coach at Woodbury

opponents starting five from your high school career:
Liz Podominick, Lakeville
Brianna Scurry, Anoka
Carol Ann Shudlick, Apple Valley
Angel Robinson, St. Paul Central
Leslie Knight, Hopkins
Jesse Stomski, Tartan

starting five from your AAU career:
Nicole Persby,
Tamara Moore,
Erin Ditty,
Amanda Nisleit,
Liz Preller,
Svetlana “V” Kovalenko

AAU opponents:
Kelly Siemon- Minn Magic
Ace Klement – Philadelphia Bells;
Janelle McCarville-Wisconsin Viking Club
Megan Taylor – Minn Magic
Corin VonWald-Minn Ice
Andrea Verdagen-Wisconsin Viking Club

favorite opponent: Park Cottage Grove and Tartan

coach you would like to avoid playing: all coaches with teams that give up

trend you like in high school basketball: 2 halves. Need to adopt all aspects of college game.

trend that needs fixing in basketball: Illegal screens, intimidation by illegal physical play.
most memorable game you coached. Minnesota State HS Championship, 2003

most painful loss: Two 1 point, last second, losses to Tartan in Conference in 1993.

If you could go to a college to assist which one: Wisconsin or UW-Green Bay

favorite athlete in another sport: Jim Taylor, GB Packers and Karch Kiraly, volleyball

favorite coach: Dick Bennet, Abe Lemmons

biggest change in basketball since you started coaching: this covers a lot of time – smaller ball and 3 pt line.

Favorite value in others: integrity and camaraderie

Thanks coach.

Next up: tomorrow or when news breaks

Best Name Ever----Hooper

#2 posting 10.30.2008
your daily dose of girls basketball news & information

MONSON SIGNS
Brooke Monson of Riverland (and Austin) has signed with Minot State for the 2009-10 season. Monson averaged 20 ppg last year. From the Austin Daily Herald and KAAL TV (with video).

Monson is the first 2009 Community College player to have made a 4 year decision.

HOOPER
Can there ever be a better name for a basketball player other than Jordan Hooper. Hooper is a 6-3 junior athlete from Alliance, Nebraska. She averaged 17.5 ppg and 13.s rpg last season. She is drawing interest not only in basketball but also volleyball. Basketball, with a name like Hooper, is her first love. From the Omaha World Herald.

NEWS
D1
BIG 10: Riding the stationary bikes in Iowa City: Kamille Wahlin and Hannah Draxten with two others not even practicing. From the Cedar Rapids Gazette. Iowa opens exhibition play on Sunday vs Quincy.
The Hoosiers preview their season.
Get to Know.....Brianna Mastey of the Gophers.

ACC: Maryland coach Brenda Freese is making up for lost time. From USA Today.

ATLANTIC 10: You can meet George Washington (the women's basketball team) on Saturday at 9:30 am.

BIG 12: Iowa State opens their exhibition season against Buena Vista on Sunday at 2 pm.

BIG WEST: Pacific is picked for 6th.

CUSA: Marshall hosts the Exodus All Stars on Sunday at 2 pm.

MID AMERICAN: Eastern Michigan is picked 5th in the West Division of the MAC.

MOUNTAIN WEST: New Mexico hosts their second scrimmage on Friday from 6 to 8 pm.

PATRIOT: Army is picked for 4th in the Patriot League.

D2:
GREAT NORTHWEST: Alaska Anchorage is the favorite.

NORTHERN SUN: SW MN State has had to deal with fire issues. From the Marshall Independent.

NAIA
York College is looking to improve on a 7-19 season. From the York News-Times.

Minot State is previewed (with video) on KXMB.

Waldorf is ready for the season. From the Forest City Summit/Britt News.

Next up: A profile... a day late

Nipe Verbals

#1 posting 10.30.2008
your daily dose of girls basketball news & information

NIPE VERBALS
Megan Nipe of Centennial has verballed George Washington. The 5-10 forward averaged 21.9 ppg for the 27-1 Cougars last year.
Nipe played her summer ball with NC Heat.

Nipe is the 32nd player from the 2009 Minnesota class to verbal and the 17th player to headed to D1.

Nipe is the 2nd player to verbal from NC Heat. Katya Leick (Park-Cottage Grove) verballed Nebraska in the summer.

Nipe has been Northwest Suburban All conference the last three years. She was first team on the St. Paul Pioneer Press All State, Breakdown, StarTribune team in 2007-08. Nipe was 3rd team SPPP, and 2nd team ST in 2006-07.

Nipe will join Centennial teammate Kiara Allums '08 at GW.

Nipe made the gbbrecruit all winter first team in 2007-08 and second team in 2006-07. Nipe was gbbrecruit all summer first team in 2008, and the second team in 2007.
On top of that she was on the summer team of the year twice---Centennial in 2007, NC Heat in 2008.

photo: Nipe with Centennial in the Sweet 16 tournament this summer.

Next up: more news

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Three More Verbals, Missouri Valley Previews

#1 posting 10.29.2008
your daily dose of girls basketball news & information

VERBALS
TWO FROM OHIO
Shardai Morrison-Fountain of Columbus Africentric has verballed Marshall University. SMF is a 5-5 guard that averaged 14.2 ppg.
Ashar Harris of Columbus Africentric has verballed Morgan State University. Harris is a 5-11 forward that averaged 10.5 ppg.
The two verbals push the Ohio 2009 verbal totals to 55 overall and 44 headed to D1 programs.
ONE FROM VIRGINIA
Meixandra Potter of Freedom high school in Virginia has verballed Colorado State. From Loudon Prep Sports
This is the 8th known verbal from the 2009 Virginia class.

POLLS
Cornerstone is #6 in the NAIA D2 poll. Jamestown is #9. At the end of the Jamestown Sun article.

PREVIEWS
ATLANTIC 10: George Washington is picked for 2nd. Dayton is 9th.

BIG 10: Michigan's Roni Hicks blogs. The Wolverines will hold Fan Night on November 7.
You need to sign up to be a Wisconsin Badger Insider.
Purdue's Lauren Mioton is royalty.

BIG 12: Nebraska hosts Chadron State in an exhibition on Friday. Iowa State's Heather Ezell takes a walk on the Cyber Cyd.

HORIZON: UW Green Bay has plenty of familiar faces back. From WBAY.

MISSOURI VALLEY: Illinois State is the unanimous pick for first in the Missouri Valley. Creighton is picked for 2nd in the preseason poll. Drake is 3rd. Northern Iowa is 5th. Missouri State is 6th. Indiana State is 7th. Bradley is 8th. Southern Illinois is 9th.
Northern Iowa's Jacqui Kalin (Sioux City North) is on the preseason all conference team. Also on the preseason team is Missouri State's Maggie Dwyer (Grand Haven, MI) From the Des Moines Register.

MOUNTAIN WEST: Colorado State hosts Adams State on Friday in an exhibition. New Ram coach Kristin Holt will hold a live chat today.

D2:
Alaska Anchorage starts their season this weekend in Orlando.

D3:
IOWA: Central, Iowa's new coach Jerry Nikkel will be looking for the Dutch to score more this year.
WISCONSIN: UW Stevens Point is reloading. From WAOW.

HIGH SCHOOL: Detroit Community is mentioned in the Sporting News preseason preview book and that gets a mentioned in the Detroit News.

Next up: tomorrow or when news breaks

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Leipprandt Verbals, Measuring Success

#2 posting 10.28.2008
your daily dose of girls basketball news & information

LEIPPRANDT VERBALS
Alicia Leipprandt of Ubly, Michigan has verballed the Air Force. The 5-8 guard averaged 15.5 points per game last year. She made the Class C All Area team. From the Port Huron Times Herald.

Leipprandt is the 23rd player from the Michigan 2009 class to verbal and the 18th headed to a D1 program.

BIG 10
MEET.....
Wisconsin's Anya Covington.

Q&A
Iowa Coach Lisa Bluder does a Q&A session.

MORE D1
BIG 12: Dallas is in the running for a final 4.

IVY: Crimson Tide? Harvard is looking for the their third straight title.

WAC: San Jose State opens exhibition play on Saturday vs Sonoma State.

NAIA POLL
Davenport is #15 in the NAIA D2 poll.

COMMUNITY COLLEGE
MN West returns three starters. From the Worthington Daily Globe.

MEASURING SUCCESS
Les Knutson, SW Star girls basketball coach and writer for the Worthington Daily Globe looks at what a successful season is.

Next up: tomorrow or when news breaks

Boylan, Voigt, PCG Scrimmage, Coaching Return

#1 posting 10.28.2008
your daily dose of girls basketball news & information

COACHING RETURN
Neil Dolan has returned to coach Wabasso, Minnesota. Dolan coached the Rabbits to the state A title in 2004 and then stepped aside. From the Marshall Independent.

NEW COACHES
Nebraska Wesleyan has a couple of new women's coaches: head coach Eric Jensen and assistant Zach Isherwood. Isherwood was a director in the Cornhusker Shooting Stars program and coached the 15u Judd team this past summer.

MORE BIG 10 MEDIA DAY
On Sunday, October 26, 2008 Tony Geer went to the big ten media day gathering. He had the opportunity to talk with all 11 coaches and some of the interviews turned out pretty interesting even though he was asking pretty much the same of each coach the answers were wide spread.

MEET.....
Michigan's Courtney Boylan (Chaska).

GET TO KNOW....
Minnesota's Jackie Voigt (Park-Cottage Grove).

SCRIMMAGES
Park-Cottage Grove will hold a 10 team scrimmage starting at 9 am on Saturday, November 22. Teams involved include:
1 Apple Valley
2 Eden Prairie
3 Northfield
4 Hill-Murray
5 Champlin Park
6 Park Cottage-Grove
7 Saint Paul Central
8 Lakeville South
9 DeLaSalle
10 Minneapolis South

NAIA POLLS
Morningside is #1 in the NAIA 2 poll. Minot State is #13. From the Minot State.

ONTARIO RESULTS
Here are the Monday results from the Toronto Star.

POINT PARADE
Onisha Little, St. Mary 29 vs Port Perry 49-27
Whitney Ellenor, Pine Ridge 28 vs Father Leo Austin 52-43
Nicholle McKenzie, Notre Dame 24 vs Eastdale 46-30
Candice Magdaluyo, Pope John Paul II 23 vs Mary Ward 43-10
Jahmeela Stephenson, Mother Teresa 23 vs Cardinal Newman 38-28

Next up: More News later today

Monday, October 27, 2008

Kessler & Nellis Verbal

#2 posting 10.27.2008
your daily dose of girls basketball news & information

KESSLER & NELLIS VERBAL
Heather Kessler of Antigo has verballed Michigan Tech. The 6-1 forward averaged 8.8 ppg last year for the 16-6 Red Robins. Kessler was honorable mention in the Wisconsin Valley Conference last year.
Kessler played with Team Wisconsin Select Samuels this summer.

photo: Kessler in a TWSS photo after winning the Ames tournament in June. photo by kja.

Ali Nellis of Waupaca has verballed Northern Michigan. The 6-2 center averaged 8 ppg last year for the 13-10 Comets. From the Wisconsin Sports Network.

Kessler and Nellis are the 29th & 30th player in the Wisconsin 2009 class to verbal and the 13th & 14th headed to a D2 program.
Kessler is the 4th player from TWSS to verbal and the 2nd headed to MTU. Sam Hoyt of Durand is also headed to Michigan Tech.

Next up: tomorrow or when news breaks

Profile: Andy Berkvam

#2 posting 10.27.2008
your daily dose of girls basketball news & information

PROFILE: Andy Berkvam
Today the profile spotlight falls on girls basketball coach Andy Berkvam of Lakeville North. Berkvam won back to back state AAAA titles in 2001 and 2002 when Lakeville was a single school and has taken the Panthers to the state tournament six times. LN should be in the hunt to return this season to the big show.

photo: Berkvam coaching in the Lakeville North Summer League Championship game in early July. photo by kja

Birthday: 7-31-62

Schooling: Mankato State '86; St. Mary's (Masters) '93

Mentor coaches: Al Berkvam, Jed Dommeyer, Darwin Deim, Dan McCarrel.

BB jobs: Eden prairie (1986-87) 9th grade boys, MSU grad assistant (1987-88), Lakeville 9th grade boys/varsity assistant 1988-90, Lakeville/Lakeville North Head Girls 1990-present.

Movie: Hoosiers

Favorite Gym: Northfield HS

Meal before game: I eat after games.

All time starting five:
Liz Podominick '03,
Tasha Martin '01,
Nicki Sebold '94,
Kaiya Sygulla '09,
Cassie Rochel '10.

Opponent starting five:
Lindsay Deitz, Elk River
Jamie Broback, Eastview
Courtney Boylan, Chaska
Leslie Knight, Hopkins
Jenna Smith, Bloomington Kennedy

favorite opponent: Eastview

Trend that needs fixing: get the best teams to the state tournament, the current system is flawed (regional)

Most memorable game: Elk River 2001 and Blaine 2002 state championship games.

Most painful loss: every sectional final game we have lost.

Favorite athlete in another sport: Fran Tarkenton & Kirby Puckett

favorite coach: Bob Downs (he has done more for GBB in Minnesota than people realize)

Biggest change in BB: Athleticism in the girls

Favorite value in others: Competing at everything you do, the will to win!

Thanks coach Berkvam.
The next Profile will run on Wednesday.

Next up: tomorrow unless news breaks.

Big 10 Meets the Media

#1 posting 10.27.2008
your daily dose of girls basketball news & information

BIG 10 MEDIA DAY
Purdue (Coaches) and Ohio State (Media) are the picks to finish atop the Big 10. The Balance of Power should shift according to the StarTribune. Jantel Lavender of OSU is the preseason player of year.

Michigan State is expected to be back in the top of the Big 10 preseason polls. From the Detroit Free Press. The Spartans are picked third in both polls.

You can watch Minnesota coach Pam Borton on Rosen's Sports Sunday. (5:48). Gopher Emily Fox is on the preseason Big 10 team.

Michigan coach Kevin Borseth expects to be better than last year. From the Ann Arbor News. The Wolverines are picked for 6th by the coaches, 8th by the media.

Iowa's Kristi Smith feels snubbed not being on the preseason all conference team. From the Des Moines Register.
The snubs continued to the Hawkeyes themselves according to the Daily Iowan. Iowa is picked for fourth

Wisconsin is "on the change bandwagon, but It's just not polling as well for them as it is for Barack Obama," according to the Capital Times.
The Badgers have low expectations at #10. From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

PLAYOFF FOCUS
South Dakota State is focusing on the playoffs. This is the first year the Jackrabbits can play in the D1 tournament. From KELO (with video)

TIMES 2
UW Green Bay's Chelsea Lyons (Coon Rapids) is a two sport athlete in college. From the Green Bay Press Gazette.

BLUE VS WHITE
Drake had their Blue vs White scrimmage on Sunday. Lauren Dybing (St. Croix Lutheran) and Brittnye McSparron (Eastview) had 6 and 5 points respectively.

RETURN
Senior Holly Silverling (Armstrong) is back at Minot State. She started her collegiate career there, went to Missouri Valley and now is back at MSU. From the Minot Daily News.

RESULTS---SATURDAY
Lakehead beat Jamestown 74-70 on Saturday in the Mayville Classic. Heidi Fiechtner (Fargo North) had 19 and Kellie Schuneman (Centennial) had 18 points for Jamestown. From the Jamestown Sun.

FELLOWSHIP OF CHRISTIAN ATHLETES
Mary's Liz Sipma is leading up the FCA chapter. From the Bismarck Tribune.

RESIGNATION
Mike Starrett of Mishawaka Penn, Indiana has resigned due to health reasons Wednesday. Assistant Terry Tulchinsky is the interim coach. Penn has two D1 players on the roster. From the South Bend Tribune.

Next up: A profile later today.

Sunday, October 26, 2008

Fall League Out & About: Princeton/Elk River

#3 posting 10.26.2008
your daily dose of girls basketball news & information

BREAKDOWN FALL LEAGUE
Becker Division
PRINCETON tigers 41, ELK RIVER elks 36

Princeton broke free from a 36-36 tie with 1:24 left with a key offensive rebound put back basket by Brooke Karst after a missed free throw. The last minute Princeton added three more points at the line to tie up the Mississippi 8 vs Northwest Suburban match ups on the day.

Both teams lost in the first game prior to their match up. Princeton had problems scoring against Andover, while Blaine beat ER 31-26. With the hit and miss nature of the fall leagues Courtney Metcalfe was missing for ER.

The Tigers didn't score for their first 8 possessions. The main Princeton guns were on the bench to start the game. ER jumped out to a 5-0 lead. The first five points for Princeton came on three straight possessions and all of the points came from Mariah Clarin. ER was stymied by the Princeton defense. Princeton took the lead on a Brooke Karst 3 and kept it the rest of the first half. The half ended on a deep three by Princeton's Kadie Savage. The Tigers led 19-12 at the break.

The biggest Tiger lead came on the first possession of the second half when Arianne Lind scored on a put back. ER roared back into the contest with five straight scores on a 9-0 run. The pendulum swung back to Princeton with a 9-0 run of their own to make it 30-21. Savage had the last five in that run. ER had another run in their pocket and tied the game at 36 with a three by Lindsey Hamilton followed by a free throw by Tempestt Wilson on the next ER possession. With 1:24 left Loberg went to the line for Princeton, but missed her free throws. Karst got the key rebound and put back and the Tigers didn't trail again. ER had three cracks at tying the game, but missed their opportunities. Clarin got the rebound to seal the win. Loberg and Karst made one and two free throws each to finish the scoring.

you can see the entire Princeton vs Elk River photo gallery at kevinanderson.photostockplus.com

key: player, points, possessions, pp100, floor %
PRINCETON
STARTERS
Arianne Lind 2, 7, 28.6, .143 guard. scored on put back.
Brooke Karst 7, 16, 43.8, .188 forward. has 3 range. key offensive rebound. needs to protect the ball better.
Nicole Trunk 2, 1, 200.0, 1.000 guard. has 18 point range
Jordan Hallin 0, 1, 0.0, .000 forward
Lindsey Philaya 0, 0, 0.0,.0000 forward.
BENCH
Katie Loberg 9, 10, 90.0, .500 post player that moves like a perimeter. explosive. runs the floor very well. long reach on defense made it hard to shoot over. Active on defense. picked up an offensive foul.
Mariah Clarin 9, 7, 128.6, .714 high energy. runs the floor. can hit corner shot. physical and active. plays hard. did pick up an offensive foul on a drive. Needs to change direction/pace on drive.
Samantha Flicek 2, 4, 50.0, .250
Kadie Savage 8, 6, 133.3, .500 point guard. has 3 range. needs to keep strong with the ball.
#51 2, 1, 200.0, 1.000 scored on put back.

ELK RIVER
STARTERS
Tiffany Cornelius 5, 9, 55.6, .333 guard. likes to drive.
Kaitlyn Orrock 7, 14, 50.0, .286 guard. has 18 ft range.
Lindsey Hamilton 9, 8, 112.5, 375 guard. all points came from behind the 3 point line. led both teams with assists.
Tempestt Wilson 5, 9, 55.6, .333 guard. likes transition. flex offense kept her under wraps
Hannah Sweet 4, 4, 100.0, .500 post player. physical. picked up offensive foul trying to clear herself.
BENCH
Annie Sizon 6, 6, 100.0, .333 shooting guard. made two 3s.
#30 0, 2, 0.0, .000

TRENCH PLAYER
Mariah Clarin

BY THE NUMBERS
Princeton 41, 53, 77.4, .377
Elk River 36, 52, 69.2, .327
made 3s/&1s: Princeton 2/1; ER 5/0
ftm/fta-ft%: Princeton 7/10-.700; ER 7/10-.700
bench: Princeton 30, ER 6

D STOPS
PRINCETON
Katie Loberg 8
Brooke Karst 5
Arianne Lind 4
Kadie Savage 3
Mariah Clarin 2.5
Lindsey Philaya 2
Samantha Flicek 1.5
Nicole Trunk 1
#51 1
totals: 27

ELK RIVER
Tiffany Cornelius 6
Lindsey Hamilton 4
Caitlan Orrock 3
Tempestt Wilson 2
Hannah Sweet 2
Annie Sizon 1
#30 1
totals: 19

ASSISTS
PRINCETON
Katie Loberg 2
Mariah Clarin 2
Kadie Savage 2
#51 2
Arianne Lind 1
Samantha Flicek 1
Nicole Trunk 1
totals: 11

ELK RIVER
Lindsey Hamilton 5
Kaitlyn Orrock 4
Hannah Sweet 3
Tempestt Wilson 1
totals: 13

RACE TO
10 20 30 40
P P P P

Next up: Tomorrow morning

Fall League Out & About: Champlin Park/Rogers

#2 posting 10.26.2008
your daily dose of girls basketball news & information

BREAKDOWN FALL LEAGUE
Becker Division
CHAMPLIN PARK rebels 29, ROGERS royals 28

Ashley Metcalfe made her second free throw with 3.5 seconds left to give Champlin Park a 29-28 win over Rogers in the first of two Northwest Suburban vs Mississippi 8 match ups. Rogers rallied from a four point deficit with two minutes left to tie it at 28.

Rogers played their deliberate, patient style but were missing Jennifer Dowd. CP was missing Jasmine Darden and Rachel Leitz as the hit and miss nature of fall leagues reared its head again.

Rogers scored first on the opening possession. CP soon connected with a trey by Abby McDaniel. The lead changed hands six times in the first half as neither team broke free. There also were four ties. Rogers had a six possession drought but didn't really lose ground to CP with only adding three points to break an 11 all tie. Rogers' Maria Laughlin tied it up with her first & one. The first half ended with a 16 all tie.

After both teams added two to their totals to start the second half. Both teams combined for 10 straight empty possessions. CP was the first to break their drought with an Ashley Witte basket. Rogers kept their drought string alive with a total of 8. Again Rogers didn't suffer because CP only added three points to their totals. With two minutes left CP led 26-22. Rogers on the next possession scored on another Laughlin &1. CP answered with two Schmidt free throws with 30 seconds left to make it 28-25. Rogers responded with a free throw by Megan Coleman. She missed the second and Laughlin grabbed the board and tied it up with a put back with 17 seconds left. The Rebels got the ball into the paint and that is when Metcalfe was fouled. She made the second free throw for the win.

Rogers had 18 turnovers for the game, 10 in the first half. CP only had 11 turnovers on the game.

You can see the entire Champlin Park vs Rogers photo gallery at kevinanderson.photostockplus.com

key: player, points, possessions, pp100, floor %
CHAMPLIN PARK
STARTERS
Ali Schmidt 5, 4, 125.0, .750 point guard. all points came at the line.
Abby McDaniel 3, 2, 150.0, .500 3 point shooter. made one in the first half.
Ashley Metcalfe 3, 4, 75.0, .500 forward. came up with the game winning free throw.
Ann Huemann 6, 5, 120.0, .600 went to the line three times. rushed shot and was off balance on a shot.
Ashley Witte 5, 5, 100.0, .600 forward with range. big rebounds late.
BENCH
Tara Flahavan 5, 7, 71.4, .286 also point guard. needs to get better angle when feeding the post. needs to lead properly. Also needs to develop deception/fakes on passing.
Kristie LaPlante 2, 4, 50.0, .250
Missy Mehaffey 0, 6, 0.0, .000 worked the d boards

ROGERS
STARTERS
Emily Dosman 4, 6, 66.7, .333 bigger player today. corner shooter.
Megan Coleman 1, 9, 11.1, .000 guard. had six turnovers.
Maria Laughlin 13, 12, 108.3, .417 guard. lefty, made a three, also scored twice on old fashioned threes. opportunistic. came up with a key offensive rebound and scored the put back. went to the line three times. had four steals. needs to create space when crossing over with defensive in front of her.
Caitlin Coleman 7, 6, 116.7, .500 moved with out the ball. also had an old fashioned 3.
Erin Rosenow 2, 2, 100.0, .500 forward. scored on a put back.
BENCH
Emily Nelson 1, 2, 50.0, .500

TRENCH PLAYER
Even though Rogers lost Maria Laughlin led both teams with points and D stops.

BY THE NUMBERS
Champlin Park 29, 37, 78.4, .405
Rogers 28, 37, 75.7, .324
made 3s/&1s: CP 2/1; Rogers 1/3
ftm/fta-ft%: CP 15/20-.750; Rogers 7/10-.700
bench: CP 7, Rogers 1

ROTATIONS
CHAMPLIN PARK
Ashley Witte 5
Missy Mahaffey 4
Ann Huemann 2
Tara Flahavan 2
Ali Schmidt 1
Abby McDaniel 1
Kristie LaPlante 1
totals: 16

ROGERS
Maria Laughlin 7
Emily Dosmann 3
Cailtin Coleman 3
Megan Coleman 2
Emily Nelson 2
Erin Rosenow 1
totals: 18

ASSISTS
CHAMPLIN PARK
Ali Schmidt 4
Missy Mahaffey 3
Tara Flahavan 2
Ann Huemann 1
Ashley Witte 1
totals 11

ROGERS
Megan Coleman 3
Maria Laughlin 2
Emily Dosman 1
Caitlin Coleman 1
totals 7

FIRST TO
5 10 15 20 25
C C R C C

Next up: Princeton vs Elk River

Smith Preseason All Big 10

#1 posting 10.26.2008
your daily dose of girls basketball news & information

COLLEGE REPORTS
BIG 10
Illinois' Jenna Smith (Bloomington Kennedy) has been named to the preseason All Big 10 team. Also on the first team: Michigan State's Allyssa DeHaan, Minnesota's Emily Fox.

Iowa's Nicole VanderPol (Grundy Center) has an uncertain future this year for the Hawkeyes. From the Marshalltown Times-Republican.

BIG EAST: Marquette had their "Marquette Madness" last night.

ATLANTIC 10: Dayton had their Red vs Blue scrimmage with

NAIA
Kellie Schuneman (Centennial 07). Schuneman has been the starting point guard for Jamestown since her Freshman year. The Jimmies played in the Mayville classic this weekend.
Jamestown beat Brandon, Manitoba 89-49 on Friday. Allison Epping had 15 points for Jamestown. Kellie had 8 points in the first game and was perfect at the free throw line.
In the second game Schuneman had 15 points.
From the Jamestown Sun.

FANS DECIDE
Fans will decide what games are covered in the Port Huron Times Herald.

Next up: later today.

Saturday, October 25, 2008

Elofson Verbals

#2 posting 10.25.2008
your daily dose of girls basketball news & information

ELOFSON VERBALS
Kara Elofson of Hopkins has made a verbal to Binghamton. The 5-10 guard/forward averaged 9 ppg for the 26-3 Royals last season.
Elofson played with Metro Stars Black this summer.

Binghamton is a D1 school in the America East conference.

Elofson verballed Ohio back on January 14, 2008. In the meantime the previous coach Sylvia Crawley moved from Ohio to Boston College. The current coach Semeka Randall, after stating that the scholarship offer was good back in April, pulled the scholarship offer on August 1 this year.

Elofson is the 31st player in the Minnesota 2009 class to verbal and the 16th headed to a D1 school.

Elofson is the 5th player from Metro Stars Black to verbal this season.

photo: Elofson in a fall league game vs Bloomington Kennedy early in October. photo by kja.

Next up: tomorrow

Rochester #1; Beggin Launches 3s

#1 posting 10.25.2008
your daily dose of girls basketball news & information

COMMUNITY COLLEGE PRESEASON POLLS
Rochester is the #1 team in the preseason NJCAA D3 poll. Also Rochester's Anne Breland is a preseason All American.
Northland is #11 and Anoka-Ramsey is #15 in the poll. Itasca received votes.
Shawna Rogalla of Northland is a second team All American.

In the NJCAA D2 poll area teams include Kalamazoo at #2; Kirkwood (IA) #3; Mott (MI) #5; Des Moines Area #7; Schoolcraft (MI) #10; Bismarck State #20. Receiving votes are Gogebic (MI), Lansing (MI) and Oakland (MI).
On the NJCAA D2 All American list are:
First team: Jaclyn Aijala of Gogebic and Kylie Dilla of Iowa Central
Second Team: Tabytha Harvey, Oakland MI
Third Team: Samantha Boje, Iowa Lakes

In the NJCAA D1 poll area teams include Lake Region (ND) at #21. Iowa Western and Williston State received votes.

D1 NEWS
BIG 12: The Big 12 held their media day and you can see or read what all the coaches had to say. You can also download the media guide.....Iowa State catches up with Tracy Gahan (2003).....Colorado will hold a Hoops & Wheels event on Sunday.

BIG EAST: Marquette held their media day....Louisville's coach Jeff Walz has started blogging.

MID AMERICAN: The Mid American Conference will hold their media day on October 30. You can submit a question in advance to coaches and players on the site....Western Michigan has their preview in the Month of Madness series.

MOUNTAIN WEST: Amy Beggin (Roseville) had seven 3s and 27 points in the New Mexico scrimmage. New Mexico also had their media day.

D3 COLLEGE PREVIEWS
Wartburg is hoping to get back to the Iowa IAC post season. From the Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier.

CLINICS
The Minnesota coaching clinic moves to Hill-Murray today. Yesterday I caught part of the action with Minnesota coach Pam Borton during her transition demonstration. Also men's coach Tubby Smith spoke for 30 minutes.

The Iowa Basketball Coaches Association will hold its annual Fall Clinic October 31st and November 1st at Urbandale High School in Des Moines. The members only clinic is one of the largest high school clinics in the country with over 1300 in attendace each year. Speakers headlining the 2008 clinic include; Todd Lickliter, Head Coach at the University of Iowa, Bruce Pearl, Head Coach at the University of Tennessee, & Jeff Capel of the University of Oklahoma. For more information visit http://www.iowabca.org/clinic08.pdf

HIGH SCHOOL PRESEASON PICKS
Miss Hoopster has picked Grand Forks Central 2nd and Grand Forks Red River 3rd in their preseason selections for the East Region. Fargo South is #1. In the state rankings Central is 5th and RR is 7th. From the Grand Forks Herald.

START SWITCHED
Starting in 2010-2011, North Dakota girls basketball will start their season one week after the boys. From the Grand Forks Herald.

OBITUAIES
Kristine Jan Halvorson, a member of the 1976 North Dakota B state champion Rock Lake team died on October 13. From the West Fargo Pioneer.

Carrol Joyce (Ralph) Hood, a member of the 1952 Iowa State Champion Mallard team died October 23. From the Fort Dodge Messenger.

Next up: later today.

Friday, October 24, 2008

Meeting Mastey & Neal; Shut Out

#2 posting 10.24.2008
your daily dose of girls basketball news & information

D1 NEWS
BIG 10: Minnesota will be more athletic and have more scoring options this season. From the Star Tribune.
The Gophers want you to meet....Nicole Mastey. Mastey played her high school ball at Becker.

Michigan State is motivated by the NCAA's snub last year. DeHaan shows off her muscles too. From the Grand Rapids Press.

The Badgers want you to meet.....Emily Neal. Neal played her high school ball at Breck and was at Colorado State for a couple of seasons.

BIG 12: Tocarra Ross of Iowa State will have arthroscopic knee surgery today.
ISU coach Bill Fennelly gets the fans out for the Cyclones. From the Cedar Rapids Gazette.

Kansas Coach Bonnie Hendrickson will hold her 5th annual clinic Sunday.

BIG EAST: Krystle Ellis of Marquette is a unanimous all Big East pick.
Louisville is picked for 3rd in the Big East.

HORIZON: Cleveland State coach Kate Peterson Abiad has signed a contract extension to 2013.

MID AMERICAN: Western Michigan is thriving with an intense atmosphere. From the Kalamazoo Gazette.

MISSOURI VALLEY: Wichita State is starting a mentoring program with their players and successful women community leaders.

MOUNTAIN WEST: Colorado State "rocked the Moby"

SUMMIT: South Dakota State is the top pick in the Summit. From the Brookings Register.

D3
UW Superior is conditioning for success.

HALL OF FAME
Wayne State Michigan coach Gloria Bradley has been inducted into the Montclair State hall of fame.

REDISTRICTING
North Dakota is putting the Class B redistricting on hold. Also the boys basketball season will start ahead of the girls season. From the Grand Forks Herald.

ONTARIO RESULTS
Shut out: St. Joan of Arc shut out Stephen Lewis 32-0 in a York Region game in Ontario. From the Toronto Star.
Here are the rest of the Thursday results in the Toronto Star.

POINT PARADE
Jill Stratton, Etobicoke 39 vs. York Memorial 71-41
Angela Lecce, Father Goetz 24 vs. Iona 72-12
Chloe Mago, Senator O'Connor 22 vs. Bnei Akiva 58-23
Kimberly Tolson, Crawford 22 vs. Loretto 33-22

Next up: tomorrow

Where is the Book? Convention & verbals

#1 posting 10.24.2008
your daily dose of girls basketball news & information

WHERE'S THE BOOK?
Many of you have emailed asking where the recruiting guide is this year. This is the plan....First off I have a website in development. This blog format will transfer over to the website with everything you see here plus more features. Most of what you read here will be available for free on that website. There will be a separate premium space on the website for things like the book. The website should be up soon. Once that site is up the book with all the rankings and ratings will be available on line. Stay tuned.

COACHES CONVENTION
The Minnesota State Girls Basketball Coaches hold their annual fall clinic at the University of Minnesota. The event moves to Hill-Murray on Saturday.
This event is open to all coaches. Today's event starts at 9 am with the women's coaching staff at the University speaking. Also scheduled to speak will be men's coach Tubby Smith.
If you are interested in going print this form and get to Williams Arena this morning.

4 OHIO VERBALS
Here are four recent Ohio Verbals
Taylor Ware – Walnut Hills – University of Evansville. Ware is 5-9.
Sarah Hammond - West Holmes – IPFW. Hammond is a 6-2 post.
Kelsey McCoy - Sylvania Northview - Gannon University. McCoy is 6-0.
Dominique Singletary (2011) – Hamilton High – Xavier University. Singletary is a guard and averaged 11.9 ppg last year. At the end of the Cincinnati Post article.

This pushes the Ohio verbal total to 54 overall for the 2009 class, 42 for D1, and 11 for D2.
Singletary is the first from the 2011 class to verbal in Ohio.

COACHING NEWS
Le Center High School has hired veteran coach Mark Pudlitzke to take over the Girls Basketball program for the 2008-09 season. Pudlitzke was the former assistant at Belle Plaine during their glory years and the head coach at Waconia during a very successful run from 1987-90.

According to sources PACT Charter School has hired a new coach---Mark Radtke from Southwest Christian School

AAU
The Minnesota Fury are very proud to announce their 2009 16U and 15U Rosters.
16U - Head Coach Justin Morris
Name Ht. Pos. High School Class
Kika Greenlee 5-8 PG St. Louis Park 2010
Rachel Hansen 5-11 PG Minnehaha Academy 2010
Tessa Cichy 5-10 PG/W Hill-Murray 2012
Darcey Rice 5-7 G Eastview 2010
Morgan Zabel 5-11 W Northfield 2010
Emmy Eschrich 5-11 W Prior Lake 2010
Shannon O'Toole 6-0 F Wayzata 2011
Lisa Loeffler 6-2 P North St. Paul 2011
Carly Chell 6-1 P Apple Valley 2010

15U - Head Coach Nick Storm
Name Ht. Pos. High School Class
Alyssa Kerkhoff 5-7 PG NRHEG 2011
Bri McKenzie 5-4 PG Tartan 2011
Ashley Martell 5-8 G Somerset, WI 2011
Karli Solum 5-7 G Somerset, WI 2011
Erica Trabing 5-10 G/W Prior Lake 2011
Kayla Bilderback 5-10 W/F Centennial 2011
Anna Gerdes 5-11 F Maple Grove 2011
Bethany Doolittle 6-3 P Hill-Murray 2011
Megan Pold 6-1 P Prior Lake 2011

One spot remains open on each team, and the Fury Directors are currently evaluating options for those spots. If you are interested, and are a strong varsity player with goals of playing Division 1 or 2 college basketball please send email or call the coach of that team.

The Fury have come to be known as “The Fastest Rising AAU Club in Minnesota,” and are very proud of this proclamation! They feel these are the top team teams in their club’s history.

They are also filling roster spots for teams at 10U, 11U, 12U, 13U, and 14U. Interest from very talented players has been very high, so spots are going fast! Please email or call Nick or Justin if interested.
Nick Storm – nstorm@minnesotafury.com
Justin Morris – jmorris@minnesotafury.com
It is truly an exciting time to be a part of the Minnesota Fury!
www.minnesotafury.com

TOURNAMENT
16th ANNUAL MISSISSIPPI RIVER
BASKETBALL SHOOTOUT
DECEMBER 6-7, 2008
BOYS & GIRLS TRAVEL TOURNAMENT
ST. CLOUD AREA
*4 GAME GUARANTEE*
GIRLS DIVISIONS- 5th, 6th, & 9th GRADES OPEN,
7th & 8th GRADES A & B
ENTRY FEE: $200
FOR INFORMATION CONTACT:
CHRIS LEWIS
320-654-8265; MISSISSIPPIRIVERBASKETBALL@HOTMAIL.COM
Send entry fee & registration by NOVEMBER 1, 2008 to:
MISSISSIPPI RIVER BASKETBALL
1283 Stone Ridge Rd
Sauk Rapids, MN 56379

Next up: more news

Thursday, October 23, 2008

Northern Sun and Summit Previews

#1 posting 9.23.2008
your daily dose of girls basketball news & information

COACHING NEWS
Kelly Rae Finley (Breck and Colorado State) just took a basketball position with Harvard

RECRUITING
Coach Randi Peterson is the draw at Coe. From the Cedar Rapids Gazette.

REDISTRICTING
Here is the proposal to redistrict Class B in North Dakota. From the Bismarck Tribune.

CONFERENCE
Chicago State is joining the Great West Conference. From KXMB.

Grand Blanc will move to the Kensington Lakes Athletic Association next year. From the Livingston Daily News.

SCRIMMAGES
New Mexico hold a scrimmage on Friday.

Waldorf faced their alumni last Saturday.

MEET THE MEDIA
Iowa State, Kansas, Michigan State, Minnesota, Penn State and Vanderbilt all met the media. You can read quotes by Mia Johnson (Minneapolis North) on the MSU site. Amanda Nisleit (Woodbury) made the trip to Oklahoma City for ISU.

PREVIEWS
D1
BIG 12: Courtney Paris is the Player to watch this year. The team to watch is more open. From the Des Moines Register.

BIG EAST: Marquette is #25 in the Sporting News poll.

IVY: Dartmouth is slotted for second.

MID AMERICAN: Central Michigan, Toledo and Western Michigan are previewed.

MISSOURI VALLEY: Creighton is looking to build off their 21 win season.

SUMMIT: South Dakota State is tabbed as the top team in the Summit. IUPUI is picked for 4th. Western Illinois is picked for 5th. North Dakota State is 6th. IPFW is picked for 7th. UMKC is picked for 8th. Jessica Pike of Oakland has been named preseason Player of the Year.

D2
Northern Sun: MSU Mankato is picked for 1st. Augustana is 2nd. SW MN State is picked for 9th. MSU Mankato's Heather Johnson (JWP) is picked for player of the year. From the Mankato Free Press and the Marshall Independent.

D3
Hope has six new players. From the Holland Sentinel.

NAIA
DAC: Jamestown is picked for 1st. Minot State is 2nd. From the Jamestown Sun and Minot Daily News.

Morningside is looking to add to their Great Plains title streak. From the Sioux City Journal.

PARTIES/MADNESS
Wayne State Michigan holds a preview party on October 30.

ONTARIO RESULTS
Here are the Wednesday results from the Toronto Star.

POINT PARADE
Natalee Thomson, Parkdale 31 vs. Ursula Franklin 55-31
Julie Longauer, All Saints 22 vs. Uxbridge 43-37

Next up: when news breaks

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Two TWS Samuels Verbals

#4 posting 10.22.2008
your daily dose of girls basketball news & information

TWO TWS SAMUELS VERBALS
Two players from Team Wisconsin Select Samuels have made verbals----

Sam Hoyt of Durand to Michigan Tech. The 5-5 point guard averaged 16 ppg for the 18-4 Panthers last year. Hoyt made the third team gbbrecruit team this summer, and second team on the distributor list.

Laura Petersen of Osseo-Fairchild to the University of Mary. The 5-10 perimeter averaged 9.2 ppg for the Chieftains last season. Petersen made the first team gbbrecruit team this summer and was player of the week twice this summer. She also was named the breakthrough player by gbbrecruit this summer.
These two players are the 26th and 27th players overall in the Wisconsin 2009 class to verbal and the 11th and 12th headed to D2 programs.

Hoyt & Petersen are the 2nd and 3rd players to verbal from Team Wisconsin Select Samuels. Sam Price of Eau Claire North verballed Kent State.

Petersen is the 2nd player to verbal Mary. Shauna Knife of Bottineau is also headed there.

Hoyt is the 1st player to known player to verbal Michigan Tech.

Photos: Hoyt and Petersen in action with TWS Samuels in the championship game vs CSS in Ames in June. photos by kja

Next up: tomorrow...unless news breaks

Profile: Pat Barrett

#3 posting 10.22.2008
your daily dose of girls basketball news & information

PROFILE: Pat Barrett
Today the Profile spotlight falls on Pat Barrett, former Fridley girls basketball coach. Barrett and the Fridley Tigers were a thorn in the side to Osseo for many years during the two class system. Barrett is now the chair for the Miss Basketball Committee.

your birthday 7-31-57

schooling: U of M, North Hennepin CC, Brown Institute for broadcasting, Augsburg for education, Santa Clara for Masters

mentor coaches Frank Shelton, my high school coach, Mike Blanski, boys coach at BC and Orono

basketball coaching jobs Youth and 8th grade school at Fridley for boys, boys assistant for 4 years at BC and 20 years with Fridley girls

Favorite basketball movie Hoosiers

Favorite basketball instructional video/tape Bob Knight on Basketball

Favorite book Vince Flynn Term Limits

Favorite high school gymnasium Osseo Junior High School

favorite team growing up Celtics with the black working shoes

Meal before a game steak and fried potatoes

starting five from your high school career started at Fridley-- Lyle Pound, Brian Larson, Dave Bratt and Charlie Yurick

opponents starting five from your high school career played against 1975 Robbinsdale team that finished 2nd, ended my career, Tom Fix, Randy Sonnenfeld played football at U of M, Scott Starner who played softball against me for years, Gutthormson was a forward and Marv Oman

favorite opponent Osseo

coach you would like to avoid playing Tom Cody

trend you like in high school basketball hard, uptempo play with lots of subbing

trend that needs fixing in basketball transfers through AAU connection

most memorable game you coached. 5AA finals in 1994 double OT with Thorpe (Osseo's coach) going to hospital at halftime or 5AA 1992 winning in last minute vs. Osseo

most painful loss same in 1994

If you could go to a college to assist which one Duke men

favorite athlete in another sport Harmon Killebrew, classy and nice, great role model

favorite coach: Red Auerbach

biggest change in basketball since you started coaching 3 point line

Favorite value in others integrity

Thanks coach Barrett

Next up: tomorrow or when news breaks

Wilkinson Benefit

#2 posting 10.22.2008

your daily dose of girls basketball news & information

BENEFIT
Former Hopkins player Tiana Wilkinson’s mother Kim has been diagnosed with incurable melanoma, and a benefit will be held on Saturday at Zion Lutheran Church. Activities include a silent auction featuring autographed Justin Morneau merchandise along with Minnesota Wild tickets, among others. The link with more information

Next up: Coaching Profile

Cunningham Retires, Mind Games, Waiting Games

#1 posting 10.22.2008
your daily dose of girls basketball news & information

RE-OPENING
Rachel Story of Milwaukee King has rescinded her verbal to Marquette. She traveled to Louisville last weekend. See Cunningham link below.

RETIRING
Alina Cunningham of Milwaukee King has retired as girls basketball coach due to burnout. Cunningham had a 8 year record of 142-38. King has two D1 players on the roster this season. From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

Kaye Breining, an early girls basketball coach at Ionia, Michigan, is retiring from 30 years of officiating. From the Ionia Sentinel-Standard.

HIRED
Duane Meulman has been hired at Kalamazoo Hackett Catholic Central. From the Kalamazoo Gazette.

MEET....
The Gophers' Kiara Buford.

MEDIA DAY
Purdue and Dayton met the media and took questions.

Iowa State Coach Bill Fennelly does a Cyber Cyd blog.

MIND GAMES
20 Second Time Out looks at how elite athletes are different not only physically, but mentally.

WAITING GAME
The 2009s throughout the country are waiting to make college decisions. From ESPN/Hoopgurlz.

CAPTAINS
Katie Tacheny (Woodbury), Anna Cashman (Faribault) and Megan Foley (St. Cloud Tech) have been named captains at St. Cloud State.

INJURED
Angel Goodrich of Kansas will miss the entire 2008-09 season after suffering a knee injury on Sunday.

PREVIEWS
D1: Central Michigan is ready to turn the corner on a 6-23 season. From the Mount Pleasant Morning Sun.

Harvard is picked to finish first in the Ivy. Columbia is picked for 5th.

Louisville is in the top 10 polls.

Nebraska is ready for the next step.

Texas State is picked for 2nd in the Southland.

Vanderbilt is the top pick for the Southeastern Conference.

D3: UW Superior is optimistic on their chances in 2008-09.

NAIA: Briar Cliff is looking to stay healthy this season and improve on an 11-20 record. From the Sioux City Journal.

RIVALRY SATURDAY
There will be six girls basketball games on Rivalry Saturday, Jan. 24 at US Cellular Center in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. One of the headliner games has Ballard with Amanda Zimmerman vs Linn-Mar with Jamie Printy. From the Cedar Rapids Gazette.

AAU
The Minnesota Stars have announced that they are having tryouts for girls 10u-14u at Hopkins High School on December 7th. We are looking for girls with a passion to improve their game and want to play with the best. The 10-12s will be at 1:00 pm and the 13s and 14s will be at 3:00pm. Play with the Minnesota Stars sponsored by Adidas. Scott Antl the Director of the 10s – 14s is excited about the teams for 2009. We are planning a night where Candace Parker will spend a night with our Stars girls. She is signed by Adidas to help promote women's basketball. For more information check out www.minnesotastars.org or email Scott Antl at minnesotastars@comcast.net

Metro Stars Black is looking for a point guard to fill the final spot on the 2009 roster. Class of 2010 or 2011 with varsity starting experience and all-conference or above ability required. Player should also have desire to play at D1 or D2 level in college. Interested players should contact Andy Meinhardt at andymeinhardt@hotmail.com

Next up: another profile

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Breakdown Week 1 Winners,

#1 posting 10.21.2008
your daily dose of girls basketball news & information

BREAKDOWN FALL LEAGUE
The first week of fall leagues were just completed. Here are the first week's winners of the "PPP".
The Premier Performance Player Awards
Bloomington Kennedy Girls Week 1
Premier Performance Player
*Kara Elofson, Sr, Hopkins
*Amanda Wagner, Sr, New Prague
*Hannah Asleson, Edina
Team of the Week: Hopkins Gidley
Becker Girls Week 1
Premier Performance Player
*Marissa Janning, Fr, Watertown-Mayer
*Miranda Speckel, Sr, Buffalo
Team of the Week 1: Park Center

BIG 10
MEET.....
Michigan's Carmen Reynolds a 6-0 guard from Hilliard, Ohio.

MC KEOWN SPEAKS
Northwestern women's basketball coach Joe McKeown speaks to the media.

FOR SALE...
Part of Wisconsin's Kohl Floor.

MARQUETTE MADNESS
Marquette Madness will be held on Saturday.

PREVIEW
Ohio is previewed in the Mid American Month of Madness.

TELEVISION
The Horizon League will have some games on ESPNU on Fridays.

D2
MAYHEM
Grand Valley State will hold their Start the Mayhem event on Wednesday.

COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Riverland has started practice. From the Austin Post Bulletin--at the end of the Scott Kolb column.

PRO UPDATES
Former Drake player Jill Martin scored 18 for DCU Mercy in a 73-59 win over Bausch & Lomb in Ireland.

ONTARIO RESULTS
Here are the Monday results from the Toronto Star.

AAU
Andy Meinhardt is looking for the top 7th graders in the metro area to play on the Metro Stars 12U team that he will be coaching for the 2009 AAU season. If interested please contact him at andymeinhardt@hotmail.com. Metro Stars program info can be found at www.mnmetrostars.com

COMMUNITY HOOPS NEWS
1 - Community Hoops Productions will be the official home for all audio podcast of Hopkins girls basketball games on the Internet. Tip off is at Hamline in November.
2 - Tony Geer, executive director of Community Hoops Productions will be having hernia surgery on November 6th. The volunteer staff at CHP wishes him well during his recovery.
3 - Community Hoops Productions will be at the Big Ten Media day to interview the coaches and players in attendance on October 26th. CHP will then post those interviews over the following week at www.communityhoops.com.

Next up: tomorrow or when news breaks.

Monday, October 20, 2008

Profile: Andy Meinhardt

#2 posting 10.20.2008
your daily dose of girls basketball news & information

PROFILE: Andy Meinhardt
Today the profile spotlight falls on Andy Meinhardt coach at Bloomington Jefferson. Meinhardt is also the program director and coaches at the Metro Stars AAU Program. The Metro Stars was named program of the year in the summer of 2007 by gbbrecruit.

Birthday: 2/17/77

Schooling: Academy of the Holy Angels, University of St. Thomas. Currently enrolled in a masters of education program with St. Mary's with completion date April 2009.

Mentor Coaches: Ray Finley, Jay Williams, Mike Pendino

Basketball Coaching Jobs: Centennial Varsity Assistant, Breck Varsity Assistant, Burnsville Head Coach, Minnesota Blizzard AAU, MN Metro Stars AAU coach and program director (current), Bloomington Jefferson Head Coach (current)

Favorite basketball movie: Hoosiers

Favorite high school gymnasium: Jefferson

Favorite team growing up: Chicago Bulls

Opponents starting five from your high school career:
Courtney Boylan, Chaska
Michelle Kaus, Eastview
Ali Prichard, Apple Valley
Jamie Broback, Eastview
Liz Podomonick, Lakeville

Starting five from your AAU career
(All played on the same Metro Stars team several years ago)
Alyssa Nelson
Annika Boyd
Megan Vogel
Leslie Knight
Jamie Broback

trend you like in high school basketball: How skilled everyone is getting.

trend that needs fixing in basketball: The playoffs. Time to move to a 64 team field for AAAA.

Most memorable game you coached: Beating #5 ranked Apple Valley at the last second while coaching at Burnsville

Most painful loss: Losing to the same Apple Valley team in the section semi-finals

If you could go to a college to assist which one: Minnesota

Biggest change in basketball since you started coaching: The summer waiver period.

Favorite value in others: Competitiveness

Thanks coach Meinhardt

There will be another profile up on Wednesday.

Next up: tomorrow or when news breaks

Fall League Results; Coaching Clinic Preview

#1 posting 10.20.2008
your daily dose of girls basketball news & information

FALL LEAGUE RESULTS
At Kennedy
Hopkins (Gidley) beat Eastview 29-19. EV was without Sam Mehr - Hopkins was without Laura Bruce.
Hopkins (Gidley) beat Lakeville North 41-34. LN had everyone. Hopkins was without Bruce.
In the summer LN beat Hopkins in the LN Summer League.

COACHING CLINIC
The Minnesota Girls Basketball Coaching Clinic opens Friday at the University of Minnesota starting at 8:55 am and it runs to 6 pm. Speakers the first day include the Gophers women's coaching staff and also Tubby Smith from the men's side.
On Saturday the action moves to Hill-Murray starting at 8 am and ends at 2:30 pm. Speaking on Saturday will be Connecticut Sun coach Mike Thibault.

Next up: Later today with another profile

Sunday, October 19, 2008

Fall League Out & About: Edina/Woodbury

#3 posting 10.19.2008
your daily dose of girls basketball news & information

BREAKDOWN FALL LEAGUE
Bloomington Jefferson
EDINA hornets 35, WOODBURY royals 34, Overtime

The Edina Hornets led once in the entire contest and that was enough to slip by Woodbury 35-34 at Jefferson. Woodbury led throughout the game and led by as many as 9 in the second half before the Hornets closed out with a 11-2 run. Woodbury didn't score the last 4:30 of the second half.

The Royals had the early jump with a 6-0 lead with four points coming in transition. Edina started the contest in a seven possession drought. The Hornets closed to 11-8 by using a full court trapping defense. The Hornets had an 8/10 offensive sequence making up for lost time, but the Royals were matching them and then some. Woodbury was 7/9 at the same time. Woodbury's biggest lead came at 24-15. A Taylor Young basket on an out of bounds play cut the margin to 24-17 at the half.

Once again Woodbury tested the nine point margin after a put back by Michelle Young. The Royals were destined to cool off in the second half however. The last time Woodbury led by o it was 32-23 with a little over ten minutes left. Edina didn't start their comeback rally until later four possessions later. Once they did it took on the life of a steamroller rolling down hill. Edina cut the lead to 34-29. A big three from the right wing by Molly Carter followed by two free throws by Asleson tied the game. On the next Royal possession Edina's Kenzie Miller stole the ball. Both teams traded missed baskets, Woodbury's a big further a field, and the regulation ended at 34 all.

In the one minute overtime the first Edina lead came after the front end of a Jamie Bresnahan free throw. Woodbury had a chance to take the lead back at the other free throw line, but Michelle Young missed the front end. Bresnahan rebounded and then the refs discussed whether it was a one & one or two shot. The rebound stood and Edina milked the clock dry for 21 more seconds. Woodbury didn't get a great shot off at the end.

Earlier in the day Edina beat Rosemount 31-25, and Maple Grove defeated Woodbury 31-18.

You can see the entire Edina vs Woodbury photo gallery at kevinanderson.photostockplus.com.

player, points, possessions, pp100, floor %
EDINA
STARTERS
Hayley Snell 0, 1, 0.0, .000 lanky perimeter.
Amanda Alexander 2, 7, 28.6, .143 post. a bit raw. will try 15s. will jump.
Christine Kaster 2, 9, 22.2, .111 lanky perimeter type.
Molly Carter 5, 2, 250.0, 1.000 guard. hit big three late.
Jaime Bresnahan 6, 6, 100.0, .667 lanky post. can face on the 3 line. Went to the line three times.
BENCH
Taylor Young 2, 6, 33.3, .167 perimeter. was guarded by Shea at times.
Alli Gamer 2, 5, 40.0, .200 combative guard.
Hannah Asleson 12, 7, 171.4, 1.000 aggressive perimeter. finishes. went to the line three times. runs the floor. alert defensively.
Katie Carter 0, 2, 0.0, .000 tried a 3.
Kenzie Miller 4, 4, 100.0, .500 similar in style to Asleson. guard likes to drive.

WOODBURY
STARTERS
Sarah Hintz 5, 7, 71.4, .429 muscle inside. dominated the defensive boards. went to the line twice, both in the first half.
Katie Hagberg 0, 6, 0.0, .000 needs to work on ball control/decisions.
Ashley Anderson 4, 4, 100.0, .500 scored in transition
Michelle Young 8, 9, 88.9, .444 point guard.
Erin Slatten 5, 5, 100.0, .400 is aggressive on the perimeter. has 3 range. needs to keep balance.
BENCH
Megan Strommen 10, 9, 111.1, .556 runs the floor. drives baseline. has 15s.
Nicole Elofson 0, 2, 0.0, .000 guard
Melissa Sturgis 2, 1, 200.0, 1.000
Ashley Shea 0, 1, 0.0, .000 post player. needs to be more aggressive and assert herself on both ends.
Becca Knight 0, 1, 0.0, .000
Kelly Graves 0, 2, 0.0, .000

TRENCH PLAYER
Hannah Asleson

BY THE NUMBERS
Edina 35, 49, 71.4, .388
Woodbury 34, 48, 70.8, .354
made 3s/&1s: Edina 1/0; Woodbury 1/0
ftm/fta-ft%: Edina 8/13-.615; Woodbury 5/10-.500
bench: Edina 20, Woodbury 12

DEFENSIVE WRAPS
EDINA
Jamie Bresnahan 8
Kenzie Miller 5
Hayley Snell 2
Amanda Alexander 2
Christine Kaster 2
Hannah Asleson 2
Molly Carter 1
Katie Carter 1
totals: 23

WOODBURY
Sarah Hintz 11.5
Erin Slatten 4
Megan Strommen 3
Michelle Young 2
Nicole Elofson 2
Melissa Sturgis 2
Becca Knight 1.5
Katie Hagberg 1
Ashley Shea 1
totals: 28

ASSISTS
EDINA
Alli Gamer 4
Hayley Snell 2
Taylor Young 2
Amanda Alexander 1
Christine Kaster 1
Molly Carter 1
Jamie Bresnahan 1
Hannah Asleson 1
totals: 13

WOODBURY
Michelle Young 4
Nicole Elofson 3
Erin Slatten 2
Sarah Hintz 1
Ashley Anderson 1
Ashley Shea 1
Kelly Graves 1
totals: 13

Next up: tomorrow morning