Fall League Out & About: Centennial/Hopkins

#3 posting 11.2.2008
your daily dose of girls basketball news & information

BREAKDOWN FALL LEAGUE
Bloomington Kennedy
CENTENNIAL cougars 46, HOPKINS royals 30

In a game that started earlier than scheduled, Centennial out rebounded the Hopkins Royals 46-30. Centennial led 23-18 at halftime and then opened the half with a 10-2 run. The one-two punch of Bridget Schuneman and Megan Nipe combined for 38 points. Schuneman dominated the inside with 20 points and controlled the offensive boards. Nipe, who recently verballed George Washington, was her deadly self, with only one missed possession on the charts.

Even though it was "fall back" Sunday this game was in the "spring ahead' category. It started well before the scheduled time of 10:30 am. I arrived early only to see that the contest was already in full swing. This was a battle of two teams that have been in the top five in the polls last year and expect to be there again this year. It was also a battle between a Centennial team that didn't rotate players as heavily has Hopkins did. Hopkins also was coached, while the Cougars were self directed.

When I arrived Hopkins led 4-3. The Royals did stretch the lead out to 11-7 after a hard three point possession in which Laura Bruce made her first free throw, missed the second with the Royals retaining the possession on a rebound by Tori Joranson. Bruce scored on a put back after awhile. Technically the same possession for three points. After that sequence Centennial revved it up with four straight scores on a 7-0 run. The one-two punch of Schuneman and Nipe did the damage there with two out of bounds plays accounting for four of the Cougar points. Hopkins never led again after that. Both teams traded points on seven straight possessions with Centennial holding a 23-18 lead with one minute left in the half. Nipe had an old fashioned three point play and two other free throws to close out the half. The last three possessions for both teams came up empty.

Centennial used a 10-2 run to bust the game open to start the second half. Schuneman was unstoppable with all 10 points. First off she had a nose for the offensive boards, second she went to the line three times in this sequence, and she used her body position to "seal the deal" inside. By the time the Schuneman Tsunami was through Centennial led 33-20 with 11:00 to go. Centennial had another hot streak as they moved the ball crisply and players moved sharply on the floor. The Cougars scored on seven of eight possessions in the last half of the second half. Centennial handled the Hopkins pressure and was more aggressive on the offensive boards. They also attacked the basket more. The Cougars attempted 13 free throws in the second half to four for Hopkins.

You can see the entire Centennial vs Hopkins photo gallery at kevinanderson.photostockplus.com

key: player, points, possessions, pp100, floor %
CENTENNIAL
Megan Nipe 18, 9, 200.0, .889 a usual performance from the sharpshooting Nipe.
Bridget Schuneman 20, 14, 142.9, .786 ferocious inside inside. persistent, hungry, strong. used body well for space. not afraid of contact.
Hannah Steele 1, 3, 33.3, .333 point guard. needs to keep vision up vs pressure.
Megan Waytashek 2, 4, 50.0, .250 moved the ball and saw over the top of defenders on the perimter.
Celia Berg 0, 1, 0.0, .000 post player
Kahla Becken 5, 4, 125.0, .500 guard. has 3 point range and also will look to drive.
Holly Hoffland 0, 1, 0.0, .000 small guard
Mariah Miller 0, 1, 0.0, .000 perimeter
Kayla Bilderback 0, 0, 0.0, .000 perimeter

HOPKINS
Hana Potter 9, 8, 112.5, .625 post player. Is developing a more consistent performance level.
Brianna Williams 4, 7, 57.1, .286 handled the point responsibilities more often than not. will go hard to the basket.
Trisha Komerec 2, 2, 100.0, .500 guard
Laura Bruce 5, 7, 71.4, .286 bigger perimeter.
Tori Joranson 0, 2, 0.0, .000 post that can move out
Chelsea Garcia 0, 1, 0.0, .000 guard
Kara Elofson 2, 2, 100.0, .500 gritty defender
Jenna Lillemoe 4, 6, 66.7, .333 guard. scored on a runner.
Jasmine Mendez 0, 1, 0.0, .000 guard
Julia Wiemer 2, 2, 100.0, .500 guard
Jule Muegge 2, 1, 200.0, 1.000 guard.
Courtney Nelson 0, 0, 0.0, .000 forward

TRENCH PLAYER
Bridget Schuneman

BY THE NUMBERS
Centennial 46, 37, 124.3, .622
Hopkins 30, 39, 76.9, .385
made 3s/& 1s: Centennial 2/2; Hopkins 0/0
ftm/fta-ft%: Centennial 13/18-.722; Hopkins 8/12-.667

DEFENSIVE WRAPS
CENTENNIAL
Bridget Schuneman 7
Hannah Steele 3
Megan Waytashek 3
Megan Nipe 2
Holly Hoffland 1
Kahla Becken 1
Kayla Bilderback 1
totals: 18

HOPKINS
Brianna Williams 3
Komarec 2
Jasmine Mendez 2
Hana Potter 1
Tori Joranson 1
Courtney Nelson 1
totals: 10

ASSISTS
CENTENNIAL
Megan Waytashek 7
Megan Nipe 3
Kahla Becken 3
Hannah Steele 1
totals: 14

HOPKINS
Brianna Williams 4
Laura Bruce 2
Jenna Lillemoe 1
Julia Wiemer 1
totals: 8

Next up: Lakeville North vs Eastview