Out & About: Southern Minne Magic/Triple Threat

#4 posting 5.22.2008
your daily dose of girls basketball news & information

This game took place May 18, 2008
St. Francis High School
MYAS STATE TOURNAMENT
17u CHAMPIONSHIP
SOUTHERN MINNE MAGIC 54, TRIPLE THREAT 50

Southern Minne Magic took the top prize by making the Triple Threat offense disappear for 10:30 minutes. Most of it was their defense that held TT to one field goal in 21 possessions. Part of it was the absence of Teresa Thour who injured her elbow late in the first half.

Both teams were hot early in the game. Both teams scored on their first chances. Triple Threat used a perimeter shooting approach. That tactic paid dividends right away as TT hit on some long twos. SMM used the inside game with put backs and free throws. SMM delivered 17 points at the line in 18 attempts. TT only attempted 9. SMM had an early 17-11 lead after a Brittni Mayer 3. TT tied it up at 19. The lead would change four times before TT maintained their advantage. TT closed the half with a 13-3 run. Teresa Thour, who provided TT with a pair of 3s, was knocked out of the game at 2:45 going after a loose ball. She wouldn't return. She had 8 points in the first half as did teammate Amanda Iverson. She too did not score in the second half, although she did play. SMM had offensive problems as they failed to score for five straight possessions. At half time it was TT up 35-26.

TT scored the first four points of the second half and led 39-26 at their widest margin. Then it all shifted to the Magic side. Alyssa Rushton scored the first four points in the SMM comeback. Jacy Christenson had a three to put TT up 42-30, but then they fell into a offensive nether world where they only scored once in 21 possessions. It started with a 9 possession drought, 4 of which ended as turnovers. Meanwhile the Magic kept chipping away. It was Rushton again who ignited things with an &1 plus a drive. She scored 9 straight for SMM. The first time the Magic took the lead in the second half was on two free throws by Rachel Stenhaug. Allie Chinander answered with a jumper for TT to put them back in front 44-43. Then it was back to the deep freeze for the TT offense. SMM scored eight unanswered points to take a 51-44 lead with under a minute to go. TT used the triple to get right back into the contest. Christenson knocked down a three and with 19.4 seconds left Jessica Bergman connected from beyond the arc to make it 51-50. TT was forced to foul and SMM made their free throws to preserve the 54-50 win.

Last weekend SMM was 1-2 in the AAU state tournament and finished in 13th place. This is another Triple Threat team than the one I saw earlier this year at Park Center.

photos: #1 Whitney Ryan shoots over Teresa Thour. Abby McDaniel on a transition lay up with Brittni Mayer ready to block the attempt. photos by kja.

key: player, school, points, possessions, pp100, floor %
SOUTHERN MINNE MAGIC
STARTERS
Alyssa Rushton, Rochester JM 18, 13, 138.5, .667 point guard, lefty. has 3 range. scores off the dribble. is probably more suited for a shooting guard. only one assist
Katie Lauer, Mankato West 2, 5, 40.0, .200 post/forward.
Whitney Ryan, Kenyon-Wanamingo 4, 4, 100.0, .500 post. did her share on the d boards.
Abby Rothenbuehler, Mankato West 4, 5, 80.0, .400 post, but more suited for perimeter. fouled out. needs to get better original position
Rachel Stenhaug, Rochester JM 6, 5, 120.0, .600 guard. all her points came at the line. visited the stripe three times.
BENCH
Yvonne Freese, Lanesboro 12, 14, 85.7, .500 post. workhorse on the boards. six points on second chancers.
Brittni Mayer, Dover-Eyota 8, 10, 80.0, .300 aggressive perimeter. hit a three. looks to drive.

TRIPLE THREAT
STARTERS
Amanda Iverson, Waconia 8, 4, 200.0, .750 perimeter/forward. jumped center. all her points came in the first half. went to the line three times. can score when hit.
Rachelle Blaschko, LeSueur-Henderson 8, 14, 57.1, .286 guard. likes to run. Another who was silent in the second half.
Taylor Morrell, St. Francis 7, 4, 175.0, .750 perimeter player. can hit a 3. made one at the buzzer to end first half. runs the floor.
Abby McDaniel, Champlin Park 2, 10, 20.0, .100 scored her points in transition
Teresa Thour, Wayzata 8, 4, 200.0, .750 all points in the first half. knocked down a pair of 3s.
BENCH
Kayla Thom, Mayer Lutheran 0, 3, 0.0, .000 post
Jessica Bergman, Mounds View 5, 5, 100.0, .600 made a 3
Jacy Christenson, Mounds View 8, 10, 80.0, .300 hit two 3s in the second half. thinner bigger perimeter.
Krista Stoltz, Centennial 2, 2, 100.0, .500 guard
Allie Chinander, Mounds View 2, 2, 100.0, .500 guard

TRENCH PLAYER
Alyssa Rushton

BY THE NUMBERS
Southern Minne Magic 54, 56, 96.4, .464
Triple Threat 50, 58, 86.2, .362
made 3s/&1s: TT 6/1, SMM 2/1
ftm/fta-ft%: SMM 17/18-.944; TT 6/9-.667
bench: SMM 20, TT 17

DEFENSIVE WRAPS
SOUTHERN MINNE MAGIC
Yvonne Freese 9
Whitney Ryan 8
Alyssa Rushton 6
Brittni Mayer 4
Abby Rothenbueher 2
Rachel Stenhaug 2
Katie Lauer 1
totals: 32

TRIPLE THREAT
Amanda Iverson 7
Abby McDaniel 4.5
Jacy Christensen 3
Taylor Morrell 2.5
Teresa Thour 2
Rachelle Blaschko 1
totals: 20

ASSISTS
SOUTHERN MINNE MAGIC
Katie Lauer 5
Abby Rothenbuehler 4
Rachel Stenhaug 4
Whitney Ryan 2
Brittni Mayer 2
Alyssa Rushton 1
totals: 18

TRIPLE THREAT
Rachelle Blaschko 5
Taylor Morrell 5
Teresa Thour 3
Jacy Christenson 3
Abby McDaniel 2
Allie Chinander 2
Amanda Iverson 1
totals: 21

Next up: tomorrow morning, unless news breaks

Out & About: Southern Minne Magic/Minnesota Lakers

#2 posting 5.21.2008
your daily dose of girls basketball news & information

This game took place May 18, 2008
St. Francis High School
MYAS STATE TOURNAMENT
17u SEMIFINALS
SOUTHERN MINNE MAGIC 51, MINNESOTA LAKERS 42

The name of this semifinal was rebounding. Southern Minne Magic crashed the offensive boards hard and had a 19-3 point advantage on putbacks in beating the Minnesota Lakers 51-42. The other word was balance. The Magic had five players with 8 to 10 points. The Lakers are made up primarily of players in the Red Rock Conference in southwestern Minnesota. Southern Minne Magic is made up of players from the southeastern part of the state.

SMM started the scoring off on a drive by Alyssa Rushton. The Magic quickly built up a 16-5 lead as they had a 6/8 scoring surge. And already the put back trend was in full force with four coming on second chancers. The Lakers started the game with a five possession drought and 1/8 offensive sequence. The Lakers burned a time out at 12-3. At half time it was 29-19 Magic with Rachel Stenhaug leading the way with 7 points.

The Lakers cut that margin to 29-24 after a five point unanswered string with Karli Meyer providing all the points. Stenhaug answered two possessions later with a three. The closest the Lakers got after that was six points at 32-26. A six possession drought right after closing the gap torpedoed any hopes of a comeback. The Magic had 8 unanswered points during the Lakers offensive slumber. It was 51-36 late in the game when the Lakers made two three point plays. One of which was three free throws by Samantha Lynn after being fouled in the act of shooting behind the arc, and another three from Thea Engen to make it 51-42.

Coaching for the Lakers is Ellsworth's boys assistant coach Steve Kellen. Also on the bench was Lance Becker. Once upon a time I was the boys head coach in Ellsworth and Lance would come in and scrimmage the team.

Missing for the Lakers was Emily Bose a 6-1 center from Murray County Central. Missing for SMM was Kristina Vorphal, Kate Hartman and Brittney Gengler.

photos: #1 Liberty Robinson dribbles by a fallen Brittni Mayer. #2 Karli Meyer is posting up while Whitney Ryan plays behind. photos by kja

key: player, school, points, possessions, pp100, floor %
SOUTHERN MINNE MAGIC
STARTERS
Brittni Mayer, Dover-Eyota 6, 9, 66.7, .333 guard, active defensively
Alyssa Rushton, Rochester JM 9, 8, 112.5, .500 point guard. lefty. needs to understand passing angles. tried to get the ball inside, but could not see the posts numbers.
Katie Lauer, Mankato West 8, 11, 72.7, .364 post. more 4. scored on second chancers.
Yvonne Freese, Lanesboro 8, 9, 88.9, .444 bruising post. dominates boards. best close in on shot. at times rushes shot and it looks like a throw.
Whitney Ryan, Kenyon-Wanamingo 2, 3, 66.7, .333 post
BENCH
Rachel Stenhaug, Rochester JM 10, 6, 166.7, .667 shooting guard. made two 3s.
Abby Rothenbuehler, Mankato West 8, 11, 72.7, .364 long lean post. More 3 I think. tendency to pick up fouls.

MINNESOTA LAKERS
STARTERS
Katie Hadler, Edgerton 0, 4, 0.0, .000 guard
Liberty Robinson, Luverne 2, 7, 28.6, .143 guard. likes to shoot 3s.
Samantha Lynn, Adrian 4, 8, 50.0, .250 point guard. led both teams in assists. alert on defense. however left her feet on defense after buying a fake.
Karli Meyer, Adrian 12, 12, 100.0, .500 did her damage inside. not very big at 5-8. was adept at drawing fouls. went to the line four times.
Thea Engen, Red Rock Central 10, 13, 76.9, .385 has some length and can face the basket. hit a 3 at the top of the key.
BENCH
Erica Thier, Adrian 2, 3, 66.7, .333 guard
Alyson Drooger, Edgerton 12, 9, 133.3, .444 taller perimeter. another player with the lean look. made a couple of 3s.
Brooke Kix, Ellsworth 0, 2, 0.0, .000 guard

TRENCH PLAYER
Rachel Stenhaug

BY THE NUMBERS
Southern Minne Magic 51, 57, 89.5, .421
Minnesota Lakers 42, 58, 72.4, .310
made 3s/&1s: SMM 5/0; ML 5/1
ftm/fta-ft%: ML 12/19-.632; SMM 8/13-.615
bench: SMM 18, ML 14

DEFENSIVE WRAPS
SOUTHERN MINNE MAGIC
Yvonne Freese 9
Brittni Mayer 6
Abby Rothenbuehler 6
Whitney Ryan 4.5
Katie Lauer 4
Alyssa Rushton 3.5
Rachel Stenhaug 3
totals: 36

MINNESOTA LAKERS
Thea Engen 10
Samantha Lynn 7
Liberty Robinson 3
Alyson Drooger 3
Katie Hadler 2
Karli Meyer 2
Erica Thier 1
Brooke Kix 1
totals: 29

ASSISTS
SOUTHERN MINNE MAGIC
Alyssa Rushton 3
Katie Lauer 3
Brittni Mayer 2
Abby Rothenbuehler 2
Whitney Ryan 2
Yvonne Freese 1
Rachel Stenhaug 1
totals: 14

MINNESOTA LAKERS
Samantha Lynn 5
Liberty Robinson 4
Karli Meyer 2
Erica Thier 2
Thea Engen 2
Brooke Kix 2
Katie Hadler 1
totals: 18

Next up: Tomorrow morning

Out & About: Metro Stars White/Southern Minne Magic

#3 posting 5.13.2008
your daily dose of girls basketball news & information

This game took place on Saturday, May 10, 2008
Cooper High School
Minnesota AAU State Tournament
Junior Eligible Pool Play
METRO STARS WHITE 78, SOUTHERN MINNE MAGIC 61

Most of my day on Saturday was spent watching games where I haven't seen teams yet this year. Southern Minne Magic fit the bill.

The name of this game was free throws. Metro Stars White made 34 free throws, that is 43.6% of their total points for the game in a 78-61 win over Southern Minne Magic. SMM led early in this game scoring the first five points of the contest. MSW opened with a five possession dry spell. SMM had a 7/10 offensive sequence where they outscored MSW 15-9. The high water mark for SMM came when they led 24-14. SMM led 30-24 with 3 minutes left in the half when Karin Gibson knocked down a three. That ignited a five straight scoring binge by MSW on an 11-4 run. Gibson had another 3 during the surge. At half time MSW nosed ahead 35-34.

SMM had five straight scores to open the second half as they went back in front 45-42. MSW was also firing on all cylinders. They opened the half with a 7/9 burst and they pulled out in front for good 52-45. Laura Bruce capped the flurry with a 3 of her own. SMM had a 7 possession drought during this time with four straight passing turnovers. SMM had another six possession drought. Combined they scored 4 points in 15 possessions--a 26.7 pp100. From the nine minute mark on MSW scored 22 points, 16 at the line.

Missing: Hanna Iaizzo, Lauren Wittman, and Bridget Schuneman were all gone for a variety of reasons for MSW.
Jodi Batzel and Brittni Mayer are teammates during the school year.

photos: #1 Brittni Mayer sails out of bounds with Julie Kruse looking at the ref. #2. Jen Field finishes a shot with Abby Rothenbuehler arriving too late. photos by Teas.

key: players, schools, points, possessions, pp100, floor %
METRO STARS WHITE
STARTERS
Julie Kruse, Maple Grove 14, 16, 87.5, .500 post, drew fouls in the first half. went to the line four times, all in the first half. exposes the ball by bringing it down
Jodi Batzel, Dover-Eyota 10, 11, 90.9, .455 post/forward (3 post hs). Did one better than Kruse by going to the line five times. runs the floor. crashes the offensive boards. exposes the ball and needs to work on the left hand.
Carissa Wolyniec, DeLaSalle 7, 6, 116.7, .500 perimeter. 3 point shooter. pull up jumper. had 3 passing turnovers.
Karin Gibson, Eden Prairie 21, 13, 161.5, .692 perimeter, lefty. had three 3s, all in the first half. runs the floor. also had six assists. active on the perimeter on defense. went to the line five times and was perfect 10/10. I have seen MSW four times I believe and I have seen Gibson light it up twice and silent twice. now it is time for her to consistently deliver at a high level. she is capable of doing good things and making a difference.
Kyana Johnson, St. Paul Central 3, 4, 75.0, .500 point guard. runs the floor. had some nice assists. deceptive passer
BENCH
Laura Bruce, Hopkins 12, 12, 100.0, .500 perimeter. runs the floor. has 3 range. big enough to defend inside in HS.
Jen Field, Maple Grove 8, 5, 160.0, .600 point guard. has 3 range. was able to score in transition despite being hit. in the future is destined to be a lawyer. She pleads her case to the ref if she thinks the ref needs help.
Tess Komarek, Hopkins 3, 6, 50.0, .333 guard. her points came at the line.

SOUTHERN MINNE MAGIC
STARTERS
Yvonne Freese, Lanesboro 4, 5, 80.0, .400 bruiser inside.
Rachel Stenhaug, Rochester JM 8, 8, 100.0, .500 guard. has 3 range. will look to take the ball to the glass.
Kate Hartman, Northwood-Kensett, IA 6, 10, 60.0, .300 a bigger player that seems more comfortable on the three point line. needs to use her frame and get physical. needs to be more of a force on the defensive side of things.
Brittni Mayer, Dover-Eyota 9, 11, 81.8, .364 perimeter aggressive. passing choices need to be sharper. can't stare down receiver and needs to add a few fakes. worked the d boards hard.
Brittney Gengler, Plainview-Elgin-Millville 0, 2, 0.0, .000
BENCH
Whitney Ryan, Kenyon-Wanamingo 9, 8, 125.0, .500 post can step out and hit a 3.
Katie Lauer, Mankato West 6, 9, 66.7, .333 a post/forward. more high post than low.
Abby Rothenbuehler, Mankato West 4, 4, 100.0, .500 post height, but more along the lines of Kate Thompson. projected perimeter post HS. long, lean.
Kristina Vorphal, Austin 6, 7, 85.7, .429 perimeter.
Alyssa Rushton, Rochester JM 9, 8, 125.0, .500 perimeter. has 3 range. can go in and score.

TRENCH PLAYER
Karin Gibson

BY THE NUMBERS
Metro Stars White 78, 73, 106.8, .521
Southern Minne Magic 61, 72, 84.7, .389
made 3s/&1s: MSW 6/1; SMM 3/
ftm/fta-ft%: MSW 34/42-.810; SMM 13/18-.722
bench: SMM 34, MSW 23
When a team takes more than double the free throw attempts you do, in fact almost twice as many made, then there will be problems.

DEFENSIVE WRAPS
METRO STARS WHITE
Laura Bruce 8
Julie Kruse 6.5
Karin Gibson 5.5
Carissa Wolyniec 4
Tess Komarek 4
Kyana Johnson 3
Jodi Batzel 3
Jen Field 1
totals: 35

SOUTHERN MINNE MAGIC
Brittni Mayer 6.5
Yvonne Freese 4
Whitney Ryan 3
Katie Lauer 3
Abby Rothenbuehler 3
Kristina Vorphal 3
Alyssa Rushton 2.5
Kate Hartman 2
Rachel Stenhaug 1
totals: 28

ASSISTS
METRO STARS WHITE
Karin Gibson 6
Kyana Johnson 5
Jodi Batzel 3
Carissa Wolyniec 3
Jen Field 3
Kyana Johnson 2
Julie Kruse 1
Laura Bruce 1
totals: 24

SOUTHERN MINNE MAGIC
Katie Lauer 5
Kristina Vorphal 5
Brittni Mayer 3
Kate Hartman 2
Brittni Mayer 2
Rachel Stenhaug 1
Kate Hartman 1
Alyssa Rushton 1
totals: 20

Next up: MN Stars DeWitt vs Stangs