Out & About: Team WI Select Samuels/Southern Stars

#7 posting 4.16.2008
your daily dose of girls basketball news & information

this game took place on Sunday, April 14
SPRING FLING SHOOTOUT
UW LaCrosse Rec Center
Platinum Semifinals
TEAM WI SELECT SAMUELS 39,
MN SOUTHERN STARS 26

Team WI Select Samuels used a 17-0 lead to beat the Southern Stars in the Platinum semifinals. A big reason (and I mean big) for the early lead was the presence of 6-6 Nicole Griffin on the inside. She simply eliminated any thought of taking shots in the paint for the Southern Stars. The SS only got one chance most of the time with Griffin cleaning up every loose carom. She had 9 defensive stops in the first half alone (again with the running time).

TWSS rolled out early with a pair of Sams leading the way for team Samuels so I guess that is appropriate. Sam Price scored the first 7 points of the game, Sam Hoyt had 8 of the next nine. SS started off with a 12 possession drought, six of which ended in turnovers. The odd thing was TWSS ended the half like the SS started it with a drought. TWSS ended with an 11 possession drought. The big difference was only three ended as turnovers. SS took advantage of that down time and finished the half with a 10-0 run.

On the first possession of the second half TWSS broke the drought with a basket by Heather Kessler. The Wisconsin team quickly added four more points on transition baskets to make it 25-12. The Minnesotans also ran off three straight to make it 25-18. The droughts were less frequent in this half, and there was a bit more balance for TWSS. The biggest lead TWSS enjoyed in the final half was 16 37-21.

photos: #1. Nicole Griffin towers over Kiley Severson. #2. Sam Hoyt about to finish a transition basket. photos by kja

key: player, school, points, possessions, pp100, floor %
TEAM WI SELECT SAMUELS
STARTERS
Sam Hoyt, Durand 10, 10, 100.0, .400 more point guard. can drain 3s. runs the floor. understands the game.
Sam Price, Eau Claire North 12, 6, 200.0, .833 guard ignited TWSS with the first seven points. Went to the line three times. can take a hit and score.
Laura Petersen, Osseo-Fairchild 5, 6, 83.3, .333 also made a three.
Nicole Griffin, Milw Vincent 6, 7, 85.7, .429 6-6 post. Griffin is growing into her body and is moving much more confidently and quickly. She runs the floor and finishes. Defensively has always been a force but with her increased mobility and fluidity is making a bigger impact. She has great hands and keeps the ball high. She is one to keep tabs on.
Heather Kessler, Antigo 2, 5, 40.0, .200
BENCH
Bree Tinney, Osceola 4, 5, 80.0, .400 made a couple of perimeter shots.
Whitney Rawdon, Eau Claire North 0, 4, 0.0, .000 led team with five assists. exposes the ball. needs to keep the ball under chin.
Hannah Betz, Woodbury 0, 3, 0.0, .000

SOUTHERN STARS
STARTERS
Jenna Henry, Faribault 0, 4, 0.0, .000 guard. needs to avoid spin dribbles and needs to keep the ball tighter to her body on dribble.
Abbey Arends, Albert Lea 2, 9, 22.2, .111 taller perimeter. struggled with ball control/decisions
Jessica Benson, Grand Meadow 3, 5, 60.0, .400 tall perimeter. scored from the left wing. has decent frame and quickness.
Ariel Berhow, Fairmont 0, 1, 0.0, .000
Apiew Ojulu, Rochester JM 13, 11, 118.2, .545 mobile, agile, post. not afraid of being hit. went to the line four times and was perfect there 5/5.
BENCH
Kiley Severson, Hayfield 6, 11, 54.5, .273 strong post, but Griffin's size kept her in check. Severson needs to work on foot speed and quickness, she is strong enough. Smith, ???? 2, 5, 40.0, .200

TRENCH PLAYER
Sam Price

BY THE NUMBERS
Team WI Select Samuels 39, 46, 84.8, .370
Southern Stars 26, 46, 56.5, .283
made 3s: TWSS 4, SS 0
ftm/fta-ft%: TWSS 7/7-1.000; SS 8/11-.727
bench: SS 8, TWSS 4

DEFENSIVE WRAPS
TEAM WI SELECT SAMUELS
Nicole Griffin 10
Sam Price 4
Hannah Betz 4
Laura Petersen 3
Whitney Rawdon 2
Bree Tinney 1
Heather Kessler 1
totals: 27

SOUTHERN STARS
Apiew Ojulu 5
Smith 4.5
Abbey Arends 4
Jessica Benson 4
Jenna Henry 3
Kiley Severson 2.5
Ariel Berhow 1
totals: 24

ASSISTS
TEAM WI SELECT SAMUELS
Whitney Rawdon 5
Nicole Griffin 4
Sam Hoyt 2
Laura Petersen 1
Bree Tinney 1
Hannah Betz 1
totals: 27

SOUTHERN STARS
Abbey Arends 3
Jenna Henry 2
Ariel Berhow 2
Jessica Benson 1
Smith 1
totals: 9

Next up: tomorrow morning

Out & About: Southern Stars/Team WI Sr Black

#4 posting 4.16.2008
your daily dose of girls basketball news & information

this game took place on Sunday, April 14
SPRING FLING SHOOTOUT
UW LaCrosse Rec Center
Platinum Quarterfinals
MN SOUTHERN STARS 34, TEAM WI SENIOR BLACK 30

First off I got there late as I explained in the overview on Sunday. I went to the athetic facility--Mitchell Fieldhouse, I believe, and it was being used for a Pow Wow. I found the Rec Center and luckily that is where the action was happening. I missed the first half of the first half.

Southern Stars led 9-6 when I arrived. It was tied at 14 at half time. This was not an artistic game. SS had 22 turnovers when I watched. The older veterans had 10, but they really were focused on the 3 line and did not have a solid paint game.

In the second half SS started off with a 9 possession drought. TWSB took advantage of that with an 8-0 run and led 22-14. TWSB was not immune to the drought bug and they suffered through 15 empty trips. SS went on a 16-0 run during that stretch. SS took the lead on two free throws by Ariel Berhow. Jessica Benson drained a 3 to give a bit more insurance 28-24. TWSB hit two 3s in the last 30 seconds in a furious comeback attempt, but the SS moved on with a 34-30 win.

photos: #1. Kacie Lukes goes up on a drive for the Southern Stars. #2. Apiew Ojulu rises up for a shot with Alison Marson going up for the block. photos by kja

key: player, school, points, possessions, pp100, floor %
since I got to these games late, I don't have starters.
MN SOUTHERN STARS
Kacie Lukes, Austin 0, 3, 0.0, .000
Kiley Severson, Hayfield 3, 4, 75.0, .250 strong post, needs to get quicker feet.
Smith, ??? 3, 5, 60.0, .400 scored her points at the line.
Marie Morem, Blooming Prairie 0, 1, 0.0, .000 went down with an ankle injury
Jessica Benson, Grand Meadow 5, 5, 100.0, .400 smooth tall perimeter. quick passer, quick shooter.
Jenna Henry, Faribault 4, 8, 50.0, .250 guard. forces some passes
Apiew Ojulu, Rochester JM 4, 2, 200.0, 1.000 lanky, long and lean post.
Ariel Berhow, Fairmont 4, 7, 57.1, .286 guard, needs to sharpen passing skills/decisions
Abbey Arends, Albert Lea 2, 5, 40.0, .200 tall perimeter.

TEAM WI SENIOR BLACK
Alison Marson, Somerset 2, 8, 25.0. .125 taller perimeter
Kerry McDermott, Rio 2, 8, 25.0, .125 passing execution needs improvement.
Jenna Novak, Eau Claire Regis 10, 14, 71.4, .286 lived (& died) by the 3. Possession ended 8 times with a trey attempt, not counting the 3s she took and were rebounded by teammates.
Kerri Kost, Rhinelander 2, 2, 100.0, .500
Kiki Phillips, Spencer 3, 5, 60.0, .200 another 3 shooter, but not to the same degree.
Emily Romatoski, Northland Pines 5, 3, 166.7, .667 she also hit a 3, but with far fewer attempts.
Hannah Haugestuen, Barron 0, 1, 0.0, .000

TRENCH PLAYER
Jessica Benson

BY THE NUMBERS
for the portion I saw
Southern Stars 25,. 40, 62.5, .300
Team WI Sr Black 24, 41, 58.5, .243
made 3s: TWSB 4, SS 1
ftm/fta-ft%: SS 13/16-.813; TWSB 0/0

DEFENSIVE WRAPS
SOUTHERN STARS
Jessica Benson 5
Abbey Arends 5
Jenna Henry 4
Smith 3.5
Ariel Berhow 2.5
Kiley Severson 2
Apiew Ojulu 2
totals: 24

TEAM WI SR BLACK
Kerry McDermott 4.5
Jenna Novak 3.5
Kiki Phillips 3
Hannah Haugestuen 3
Kerri Kost 2
Emily Romatoski 1
totals: 17

ASSISTS
SOUTHERN STARS
Ariel Berhow 3
Jessica Benson 2
Kiley Severson 1
Jenna Henry 1
Apiew Ojulu 1
totals 8

TEAM WI SR BLACK
Hannah Haugestuen 3
Kerry McDermott 1
Jenna Novak 1
totals 5

photos will be added later.

Next up: another quarterfinal from LaCrosse