#3 posting 11.9.2008
your daily dose of girls basketball news & information
FALL BREAKDOWN LEAGUE
Bloomington Kennedy
MINNETONKA skippers 40, MAPLE GROVE crimson 36*
*my score, the score on the board was 38-34.
This was a late afternoon game and I left the north metro at 3:40 for a 4:30 game thinking I could make it on time. Wrong. The traffic south on 35W south of 94 was crawling along to the crosstown work. What should have taken 15 minutes took 35. That put me behind schedule. I got to Kennedy at 3:35 and didn't make it down to the gyms until a bit later. I knew I was going to be late, but I didn't know I was going to be late by a full half. The Skippers and the Crimson were just wrapping up the first half.
This was a rematch of the Champlin Park Summer League championship and the results were the same. The comfort level for the fans was much better today however. MG broke the tie at the start of the half with two straight scores--one on a Hannah Reichel basket and one on a Jen Field drive. The Skippers answered right away with two field goals by Jill Tichey. The fate of the game turned when Minnetonka scored six unanswered points midway through a five possession Crimson drought. MG was 1/8 if you stretch the sequence out a bit longer. The Crimson had problems with their range shooting. Minnetonka delivered one from behind the arc to stretch their lead to 35-30 with under 5 minutes to go. MG did cut the margin to 35-34 after a basket by Rachel Biederman. Ali Bomgard scored on a drive to make it 37-34 with 1:30 left. MG didn't score their next three possessions with 4 chances glancing off the rim. The Skippers have now won two in a row over MG.
You can see the entire (half) Minnetonka vs Maple Grove photo gallery at kevinanderson.photostockplus.com
all the stats below are for the second half of action
player, points, possessions, pp100, floor %
MINNETONKA
STARTERS
Kate Constable 2, 6, 33.3, .167 guard
Stephanie Comer 3, 4, 75.0, .500 point guard
Jill Tichy 7, 7, 100.0, .429 forward
Zilverberg 2, 3, 66.7, .333 forward
Ali Bongard 4, 2, 200.0, 1.000 post
BENCH
Alison McArthur 2, 3, 66.7, .333 perimeter
Jenny Blakey 0, 1, 0.0, .000 perimeter
Taylor Peterson 0, 0, 0.0, .000 perimeter
MAPLE GROVE
STARTERS
Hannah Reichel 6, 3, 200.0, .667 post
Julie Kruse 2, 4, 50.0, .250 post
Jen Field 2, 5, 40.0, .200 point guard
Ellen Edison 0, 4, 0.0., .000 guard
Rachel Biederman 4, 2, 200.0, 1.000 perimeter
BENCH
Anna Gerdes 2, 3, 66.7, .333 perimeter
Stephanie Davison 0, 2, 0.0, .000 guard
Marissa Lundy 0, 3, 0.0, .000 guard
TRENCH PLAYER
Jill Tichy hit a big 3 for breathing space for the Skippers
BY THE NUMBERS
Minnetonka 20, 26, 76.9, .385
Maple Grove 16, 26, 61.5, .269
made 3s/&1s: Mtka 1/0; MG 0/0
ftm/fta-ft%: Mtka 3/4-.750; MG 0/1-.000
bench: Mtka 2, MG 2
DEFENSIVE WRAPS
MINNETONKA
Kate Constable 5
Allison McArthur 3
Ali Bongard 3
Stephanie Comer 2
Taylor Peterson 2
Zilverberg 1
totals: 16
MAPLE GROVE
Anna Gerdes 4
Julie Kruse 3
Hannah Reichel 2
Marissa Lundy 2
Jen Field 2
Stephanie Davison 1
totals: 14
ASSISTS
MINNETONKA
Jenny Blakey 3
Kate Constable 1
Jill Tichy 1
Stephanie Comer 1
Alison McArthur 1
totals: 7
MAPLE GROVE
Jen Field 3
Julie Kruse 2
Anna Gerdes 1
totals: 6
Next up: tomorrow
Sunday, November 09, 2008
Fall League Out & About: Minnetonka/Maple Grove
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Champlin Park Summer League: Minnetonka/Maple Grove
#6 posting 7.22.2008
your daily dose of girls basketball news & information
CHAMPLIN PARK SUMMER LEAGUE
championship
MINNETONKA skippers 36, MAPLE GROVE crimson 33
Minnetonka withstood a furious Maple Grove rally to dethrone the defending Champlin Park Summer League champions 36-33. The Skippers led 32-10 with 11 minutes remaining when MG went on a 23-4 run. A MG three point shot missed at the buzzer that would have forced an overtime.
MG made the finals with narrow wins over Totino-Grace and Champlin Park. In each case the contest came down to the last possession. All that energy left the MG tank empty. Minnetonka on the other hand had their quarter and semi games wrapped up by halftime without serious struggles.
Minnetonka broke free from a 8-6 contest with a 16-4 run to lead at half time. This game was looking bleak for MG. I thought I was reliving Saturday when the winning team had enough points at half time to win the game. Tonka scored the first 8 points of the second half to push their lead out to 32-10 with 13:45 left.
That is when Minnetonka hit the proverbial wall and MG caught their second wind. The Skippers endured a nine possession drought, followed by another six possession string. The last 18 possessions for Minnetonka ended up with only four points. Before that time Tonka was either scoring in transition, or moving the ball and making the one extra pass that put a player wide open position for the shot. Minnetonka's pp100 for the last 18 possessions was a ice cold 22.2 pp100. MG on the other had caught the Crimson Fire. They closed with a 23-4 run. But they really didn't start their rally until the last 7:27 to go. In that stretch they outscored the Skippers 21-4. MG had a miserable stretch to start the half (1/15). The Crimson started stoking with 6-3 Veronica Jakubovie getting things started with a put back and then another shot in the paint on two consecutive possessions. Then it was Jen Field's turn. She connected on two straight 3s and the insurmountable lead was now 34-22. The inside game worked for the Crimson with Hannah Reichel and Kelsey Eitel contributing six straight points making the score 34-28 with 1:21 left. Minnetonka took some ill advised shots, especially distance shots late. Field leveled the field (almost) with her third three to make it 34-31. Sarah LaCroix was fouled and she delivered the one shot (worth two) for a 36-31 lead. Field was fouled on a drive with 28 seconds left. She also converted bringing the margin back to 36-33. Minnetonka's Stephanie Comer went to the line with a one and one and missed with 15 seconds left. Eitel grabbed the board. Field was not given much room to breath at the end as a distant shot by #35 didn't fall. The comeback run ended when the clock struck zero.
This was the first meeting of these two teams. They were scheduled to play each other during the black out.
You can see the entire Minnetonka vs Maple Grove photo gallery at kevinanderson.photostockplus.com. The CP gym is a little dark.
key: player, points, possessions, pp100, floor %
MINNETONKA
STARTERS
Sarah LaCroix 12, 14, 85.7, .429
Stephanie Comer 5, 9, 55.6, .222
Sarah Tapani 6, 9, 66.7, .333
Alison McArthur 6, 5, 125.0, .600
Jenny Blackee 0, 4, 0.0, .000
BENCH
Hannah Wilson 2, 3, 66.7, .333
Taylor Peterson 5, 5, 100.0, .400
Sommerfeldt 0, 1, 0.0, .000
Nicole Goronowicz 0, 0, 0.0, .000
MAPLE GROVE
STARTERS
Marissa Lundy 0, 4, 0.0, .000
Hannah Reichel 4, 4, 100.0, .500
#35 0, 7, 0.0, .000
#13 2, 3, 66.7, .333
Makensie Becker 0, 4, 0.0, .000
BENCH
Veronica Jakubovie 6, 7, 85.7, .429
Jen Field 15, 10, 150.0, .600
Anna Gerdes 0, 2, 0.0, .000
Julie Kruse 0, 4, 0.0, .000
Kelsey Eitel 6, 6, 100.0, .500
TRENCH PLAYER
It doesn't happen often that the team that loses get the trench player, but Jen Field gets the nod.
BY THE NUMBERS
Minnetonka 36, 50, 72.0, .340
Maple Grove 33, 51, 64.7, .294
made 3s/&1s: MG 3/0
ftm/fta-ft%: MG 2/4-.500
bench: MG 27, Minnetonka 7
DEFENSIVE WRAPS
MINNETONKA
Jenny Blackee 5
Sarah Tapani 5
Stephanie Comer 4
Sarah LaCroix 3
Alison McArthur 3
Taylor Peterson 4
Nicole Gornowicz 2
Sommerfeldt 1
totals: 27
MAPLE GROVE
Kelsey Eitel 5
#35 4
Veronica Jakubovie 4
Anna Gerdes 4
#13 3
Marissa Lundy 2
Hannah Reichel 2
Jen Field 2
Julie Kruse 1
totals: 27
ASSISTS
MINNETONKA
Stephanie Comer 4
Jenny Blackee 3
Sarah LaCroix 2
Sarah Tappani 2
Alison McArthur 1
Taylor Peterson 1
Niocle Goronowicz 1
totals: 14
MAPLE GROVE
Marissa Lundy 2
#13 2
Julie Kruse 2
#35 1
Makensie Becker 1
Anna Gerdes 1
Kelsey Eitel 1
totals: 10
next up: back filling the games
Champlin Park Summer League: Minnetonka/Osseo
#5 posting 7.22.2008
your daily dose of girls basketball news & information
CHAMPLIN PARK SUMMER LEAGUE
Semifinals
MINNETONKA skippers 30, OSSEO orioles 20
Minnetonka held Osseo to 10 first half points in a 30-20 win over the Orioles in the Champlin Park Summer League. This was the second game for both teams. The Skippers won the quarterfinal match up with Coon Rapids. Osseo had to rally to beat Roseville in a tight game.
That Roseville game took away a lot of energy for the Orioles as they struggled to score. The gyms were not air conditioned and the recovery time was non existent. Fluids were being lost. Osseo went 7 possessions without scoring. Danielle Mangen, their main scoring threat, didn't score until late in the first half. Minnetonka closed out the first half with an 11-4 run.
The Skippers scored on three of their first four possessions of the second half cementing their lead at 24-10. The lack of firepower struck Osseo again with a 1/11 sequence. That offensive malady was contagious as Tonka had a five possession drought. Minnetonka led 30-15 before Osseo closed off the contest with 7 unanswered points.
More story, stats, photos to follow
You can see the entire Minnetonka vs Osseo photo gallery at kevinanderson.photostockplus.com. I will warn you the gym lighting is dark.
key: player, points, possessions, pp100, floor %
MINNETONKA
STARTERS
Nicole Gornowicz 4, 7, 57.1, .286
Jenny Blackee 2, 3, 66.7, .333
Stephanie Comer 5, 8, 62.5, .250
Taylor Peterson 5, 6, 83.3, .333
Sarah LaCroix 6, 3, 200.0, 1.000
BENCH
Hannah Wilson 0, 3, 0.0, .000
Sarah Tapani 6, 10, 60.0, .300
Alison McArthur 2, 2, 100.0, .500
Sommerfeldt 0, 1, 0.0, .000
OSSEO
STARTERS
Emily Larson 0, 4, 0.0, .000
Chiamaka Okonkwo 2, 9, 22.2, .111
Danielle Mangen 7, 9, 77.8, .333
Kyana Jones 0, 6, 0.0, .000
Stephanie Pilgrim 3, 3, 100.0, .333
BENCH
Krista Skrba 4, 4, 100.0, .500
Tina Ewing 4, 4, 100.0, .500
Kaela Crouch 0, 3, 0.0, .000
Deanna Fischer 0, 0, 0.0, .000
Amanda Barfknecht 0, 0, 0.0, .000
TRENCH PLAYER
Sarah LaCroix
BY THE NUMBERS
Minnetonka 30, 43, 69.8, .326
Osseo 20, 42, 47.6, .214
made 3s/&1s:
ftm/fta-ft%:
bench: Minnetonka 8, Osseo 8
DEFENSIVE WRAPS
MINNETONKA
Nicole Gornowicz 4
Taylor Peterson 4
Sarah Tapani 3
Jenny Blackee 2
Sarah LaCroix 2
Alison McArthur 2
Stephanie Comer 1
totals: 18
OSSEO
Chiamaka Okonkwo 7
Kyana Jones 6
Danielle Mangen 3
Amanda Barfknecht 3
Tina Ewing 2
Emily Larson 1
Stephanie Pilgrim 1
Kaela Crouch 1
totals: 22
ASSISTS
MINNETONKA
Nicole Gornowicz 2
Jenny Blackee 2
Stephanie Comer 2
Taylor Peterson 2
Sarah Tapani 1
totals: 9
OSSEO
Chiamaka Okonkwo 3
Kyana Jones 2
Tina Ewing 1
Danielle Mangen 1
totals: 7
Next up: CPSL Championship
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Out & About: Minnetonka/Champlin Park
your daily dose of girls basketball news & information
CHAMPLIN PARK SUMMER LEAGUE
MINNETONKA skippers 51, CHAMPLIN PARK rebels 43
Minnetonka took an early lead and never let up in beating the host Rebels in the Champlin Park Summer League. Champlin Park never could climb the mountain. The closest they could get was two points. Minnetonka always had an answer and pulled away at the end. Both were undefeated in this league the week before.The rules in this league include 20 minute running time halves with shooting fouls worth two points, if the player can make the free throw. One other fact about this game. There are six courts and this game was on court six on the tartan surface with a trap door floor close to the left sideline. Dribblers tried to avoid the area if possible.
Katy Winge opened the scoring for the Skippers and Jill Tichy scored before CP got on the board. That margin was maintained throughout the first half. Winge had 10 points in the first half. Both teams had 10 players so the wave substitution ruled. At one stretch in the first half both teams combined scored seven straight
times. For CP Ali Schmidt had seven assists in the first half. Now I had Minnetonka up 26-20 at half time, the scoreboard had 24-20. I don't know where the discrepancy took place.Schmidt cut the margin to 24-22 after making the one free throw (worth two points) after a drive. Minnetonka stretched their lead out to 33-26. Just as quickly CP cut the margin to 35-33 after a three by Schmidt. The last time CP trailed by two was at 37-35. After that the Rebels had a 1/5 sequence but Minnetonka kept their offense flowing with four unanswered points. That made the margin six points 43-37 with 5:20 left. CP finished with a 3/10 sequence. The Rebels trailed 45-41 with 1;48 left with another time out. Minnetonka looked to milk the clock and went to the line. CP had two straight passing turnovers to stop any comeback chance.
key: player, points, possessions, pp100, floor %
MINNETONKA
STARTERS
Kate Constable 8, 10, 80.0, .400 guard, did some duty at point. scored six points on second chancers.
Katy Winge 14, 8, 175.0, .875 perimeter scorer. scored off the dribble, pull ups, and back cuts.
Jill Tichy 7, 5, 140.0, .600 forward, went to the line three times
Sarah LaCroix 4, 6, 66.7, .333 post. took a charge. led team with defensive boards.
Steffi Comer 8, 7, 114.3, .571 guard, handled the point more often. had 8 assists. her points came on transition.
BENCH
Cassidy Smith 6, 5, 120.0, .600
Nicole Garnowicz 2, 3, 66.7, .333 can score when hit.
Hannah Wilson 2, 4, 50.0, .250 needs to work on her hands,
Jenny Blaine 2, 2, 100.0, 1.000 guard. scored her points in transition
Johanna Hedstrom 0, 0, 0.0, .000 youngster. deferred to older players.
CHAMPLIN PARK
STARTERS
Ali Schmidt 13, 10, 130.0, .600 delivered 8 assists. had 11 of her points in the second half. shared point responsibilities.
Jazmine Darden 2, 3, 66.7, .333 guard. wasn't able to get a three off. scored on a drive.
Tarah Flahavan 8, 10, 80.0, .400 point guard. scored without the ball on sharp cuts.
Abby McDaniel 0, 3, 0.0, .000 on out of bounds plays under the basket passed it in and found three players wide open on cuts.
Karen Berglund 0, 2, 0.0, .000 post
BENCH
Ashley Witte 8, 11, 72.7, .364 forward. had three turnovers on passing too far, too high
Rachel Leitz 8, 6, 133.3, .667 perimeter. strong upper body. scored on drive and sharp cuts.
Ashley Metcalfe 2, 4, 50.0, .250 post, scored on her free throw
Missy Mehaffey 2, 2, 100.0, .500 post
Kat Chelstrom 0, 1, 0.0, .000 guard
TRENCH PLAYERKaty Winge
BY THE NUMBERS
Minnetonka 53, 50, 106.0, .520
Champlin Park 43, 52, 82.7, .404
made 3s/&1s: Minnetonka 0/1; CP 1/0
ftm/fta-ft%: CP 4/6-.667; Minnetonka 4/10-.400
bench: CP 20; Minnetonka 11
DEFENSIVE WRAPS
MINNETONKA
Sarah LaCroix 5
Steffi Comer 5
Jenny Blaine 3
Kate Constable 2
Jilly Tichy 2
Nicole Garnowicz 2
Katy Winge 1
Cassidy Smith 1
Hannah Wilson 1
Johanna Hedstrom 1
totals: 23
CHAMPLIN PARK
Ashley Witte 4
Tarah Flahavan 3
Ali Schmidt 2
Rachel Leitz 2
Jazmine Darden 1
Karen Berglund 1
totals: 13
ASSISTS
MINNETONKA
Steffi Comer 8
Jenny Blaine 3
Nicole Garnowicz 2
Katy Winge 2
Johanna Hedstrom 2
Kate Constable 1
totals: 18
CHAMPLIN PARK
Ali Schmidt 8
Abby McDaniel 3
Rachel Leitz 2
Ashley Metcalfte 2
Jazmine Darden 1
Missy Mahaffey 1
totals: 17
next up: tomorrow morning
Friday, February 15, 2008
Out & About: Hopkins/Minnetonka
#11 posting 2.15.2008
your daily dose of girls basketball news & information
HOPKINS royals 58,
MINNETONKA skippers 53
Many members of the media were focused on the boys game to the west. However last place Minnetonka gave first place Hopkins a strong effort, but the upset bid fell short in a Classic Lake battle. In the first game this year Hopkins won 82-47. The Skippers closed to 53-52 with under a minute to go in a tooth and nail game. Kara Elofson scored 9 straight points during the stretch run for Hopkins on the way to 15 points to help propel the Royals to victory. Hopkins moves to 7-0 in the conference and 22-2 overall. Minnetonka is 0-7 and 8-14 overall.
Hopkins took a 5-0 lead after four possessions. Minnetonka had four turnovers on their first five possessions. They cleaned up their ball handling after that and cut the margin to 7-6. There were three ties up to 17 and then Minnetonka fell into a 1/12 offensive sequence, 6 of which ended up as turnovers. Hopkins went on a 9-2 run to take a 26-19 lead. A couple of trends that came back to haunt both teams in the second half was the foul situations. Both centers, Steph Sension of Hopkins and Jordan Skiem of Minnetonka picked up three fouls in the first half. Hopkins led 28-21 at half time. 13 of the Royals points came on second chancers.
That seven point Hopkins lead soon melted to 31-29 after a thrree by Steffi Comer. However one Tonka possession prior to that Sension picked up her 4th foul as Skiem finished off an "&1". Just as soon as the Skippers closed the lead, Hopkins pushed it out with a 7-0 run with Hanna Muegge answering with a three and then a jumper. Then Hopkins went on a 1/9 possession sequence. They opened that sequence with four straight turnovers. Katy Winge hit a three to cut the Hopkins lead to 39-36. Minnetonka kept close, but Skiem picked up foul #4 with 9:07 left and the score 41-38. So both centers were in the 
same boat. Kara Elofson finished a break to make it 46-40 for the Royals with about 7 minutes left. Hopkins fell into a 1/8 dry spell and Minnetonka took advantage with a couple of deep 2s by Kate Constable. It was 48-46 with 4:45 to go. It was a white knuckle ride from there to the end. Sension fouled out at the 3:39 mark on an offensive foul. Skiem was able to enjoy the absence of her opponent for one whole possession. Skiem fouled out with 3:15 left after an over the back call. Both teams were a combined 0/8 during this sequence. Second shots again helped the Hopkins cause. Elofson had 9 straight points for Hopkins from the 7 minute mark to 1:12 left. On the Tonka side it was Ashley Dohrer doing the heavy lifting. She scored six straight points to make it 53-52. Minnetonka was forced to foul and the last three Hopkins possessions resulted in five points at the line. Hopkins was happy to see Minnetonka get on the bus for home.
key: player (grad year) points, possessions, pp100, floor %
HOPKINS
STARTERS
Jenna Lillemoe (09) 0, 2, 0.0, .000 perimeter. Didn't get many free looks. needs to get stronger upper body.
Stephanie Sension (08) 6, 11, 54.5, .273 post player. fouls extremely limited her performance in the second half. All her points were in the first half. picked up offensive fouls. tried to draw charges, but instead was called for the block.
Caitlin Rowland (08) 14, 12, 116.7, .667 Steady, composed. intelligent choices. in right spot for rebounds. scored inside. posted late when Sension was out. went to the line three times. good communicator. helped direct offensive flow verbally.
Hannna Muegge (08) 10, 13, 76.9, .308 point guard. good athlete, active on defense. made two 3s. late in the game had turnovers when Tonka was desperate. passing choices.
Kara Elofson (09) 15, 12, 125.0, .667 strong, athletic, put Hopkins on her back in the end. made key shots inside. defense was hanging on her and she got the shot off and finished. runs the floor. good offensive rebounder. went to the line three times.
BENCH
Hana Potter (10) 3, 10, 30.0, .200 post. Needs to finish in the paint. needs to work on scoring with contact. came up with big rebounds late in the game. needs to improve passing decisons.
Tess Komarek (09) 2, 3, 66.7, .333 perimeter
Brianna Williams (11) 8, 11, 72.7, .364 perimeter pirahna. can hit a three. speed. a pain for other team when bringing the ball up court.
Julia Wiemer (11) 0, 0, 0.0, .000 guard
MINNETONKA
STARTERS
Jordan Skiem (08) 9, 10, 90.0, .400 post player. hampered with fouls. tried to bargain with the refs. took 12 footers from the wings at times, but most success came in side. needs to avoid fouls with more foot movement, better position and better balance.
Kate Constable (09) 10, 15, 66.7, .333 perimeter. had a stronger second half. needs to be aware of three point line. had a couple of deep 2s on the left side. needs to finish in transition. avoided a chance for a basket & 1 in transition with pull up.
Ashley Dohrer (08) 8, 11, 73.7, .364 small guard. had four d rebounds (second most on team). sacrificed body for a couple of charges. attacked without fear late in the game and delivered. needs to imporve passing choices.
Steffi Comer (09) 16, 23, 69.6, .348 perimeter had 12 points in the second half. 3 range. runs the floor.
Katy Winge (11) 10, 12, 83.3, .333 perimeter. more comfortable taking shots off the pass. made two 3s. had a nice drive late on curl. needs to get stronger upper body.
BENCH
Shannon Kurkowski (10) 0, 3, 0.0, .000
Sarah Holden (08) 0, 1, 0.0, .000
TRENCH PLAYERKara Elofson
BY THE NUMBERS
Hopkins 58, 74, 78.4, .405
Minnetonka 53, 76, 69.7, .329
made 3s: Hopkins 3, Minnetonka 3
ftm/fta-ft%: Hopkins 13/23-.565; Minnetonka 8/14-.571
bench: Hopkins 13, Minnetonka 0
Hopkins held a clear advantage on the offensive glass with 18 second chance points to 9 for Minnetonka.
DEFENSIVE WRAPS
HOPKINS
Hanna Muegge 9
Hana Potter 7
Stephanie Sension 6
Caitlin Rowland 6
Kara Elofson 4
Brianna Williams 4
Jenna Lillemoe 3
Tess Komarek 1
Julia Wiemer 1
totals: 41
MINNETONKA
Ashley Dohrer 9
Kate Constable 7
Jordan Skiem 6.5
Katy Winge 5.5
Steffi Comer 4
Sarah Holden 2
totals: 34
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Hopkins played man most of the night. They also used 2/3 zone.
Minnetonka stayed with 2/3 most of the night. They had to go to man late when Hopkins was stalling.
match ups: (Minnetonka off/Hopkins def) Comer/Lillemoe; Dohrer/Muegge; Winge/Elofson; Constable/Rowland; Skiem/Sension;
(Hopkins off/Minnetonka def) Rowland/Comer; Williams/Constable; Potter/Holden; Muegge/Dohrer; Elofson/Winge
Next up: tomorrow morning
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