What's Plan B?
For a lot of people, the NBA draft went south right outta the gate, when the Cleveland Cavaliers picked Tony Bennett with the 1st overall pick. Not that Tony Bennett. This one will be bringing his heart from Las Vegas to Cleveland, where Cavs fans hope he'll want to leave it after the 3 years of his rookie contract are done. We'll see how that goes.
But, there's hardly a draft observer who didn't say the Cavs would go big--meaning either Maryland's Alex Len, 7-1, or 7-footer Nerlens Noel of Kentucky. And almost nobody didn't say the Noel and Kansas shooting guard Ben McLemore were the 2 top players in the pool in terms of long-term upside potential.
Well, there was 1 who said the Cavs would not go big, but I said they'd pick Georgetown forward Otto Porter, who ended up going to Washington at #3. But, no, the Cavs grabbed Bennett, and the next 6 teams in line suddenly were all going, "Holy sh*t! What's Plan B? I forget!" And based on what happened next, they weren't that hot on the 2 allegedly best players in the pool and were hoping like crazy that Cleveland and Orlando would get 'em off the table so they wouldn't end up getting stuck with 'em.
But Orlando at #2 went with Indiana guard Victor Oladipo, who went from about #100 to #2 since the start of the college season. Washington took Porter. And with Len and Noel still available, Charlotte had little choice but to go big. But they grabbed another Hoosier, Cody Zeller, who, unlike Len and Noel, has the mobility to play the big forward spot.
So, after 5 picks, the 2 best players in the pool (McLemore and Noel) and the 2 guys who figured to be #1 (Len and Noel) were all 3 still cooling their heels in the green room. But they fell no further and the reluctant recipients of the big 3 were Phoenix (Len at #5), New Orleams (Noel at #6) and Sacramento (McLemore at #7). But then, adding insult to injury, N'Awlins immediately moved Noel to Philadelphia for a dish of jelly beans.
Flip's Picks
But the fact is that all of this had absolutely nothing to do with the Minnesota Timberwolves. For the Wolves and Flip Saunders the draft was humming along, exactly according to plan. It went out of order, to be sure, but by the 7th pick the top 7 were gone and the pool contained exactly the players Flip thought it would.
But that is when the draft went south for Flip Saunders and the Minnesota Timberwolves, when the Detroit Pistons grabbed the guy that everybody knew Flip coveted--6-5 shooting guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope of Georgia. Given what transpired later in the evening, you know that Flip called the Pistons on the phone and offered them a couple of draft picks for the rights to KCP. The Pistons presumably said no.
Now it was Flip's turn to go to Plan B. He picked a guy he didn't want, Trey Burke, but who he figured would have the best trade value, then found a trade partner (Utah) who had a pair of 1st round picks remaining (#14 and #21). So far, so good, I guess.
But the fact is he coulda picked the guy I had at #8, C.J. McCollum, 6-3, shooting guard, from Lehigh. Time will tell whether McCollum might have been a better fit. If he proves to be the 2nd coming of Stephon Curry, you'll know that Flip screwed the pooch. OK, C.J. is just 6-3 and Flip wanted some size. But Flip also wanted a shooting guard and McCollum is a shooting guard, whereas the Wolves' ultimate pick at #14 is not.
I mean, 2-for-1 looks good on paper, sure. But by the time the teams got down to #14 there wasn't a shooting guard in sight. Utah picked Shabazz Muhammad, 6-6, from UCLA, who is listed as a guard on the draft tallies but has really never played guard in his life. He's a small forward. Sergey Karasev, a 6-8 Russian picked at #19 by Cleveland, is listed as a guard, but he hasn't proven that he can play the 2. He's a small forward. And Tony Snell, 6-7 from New Mexico, is listed as a guard but has really been a small forward all his life.
If the idea was to find a shooting guard, #14 wasn't a very auspicious spot to do it, and that was easily foreseeable by the time the draft had wound its way to #9.
Shabazz Muhammad
OK, but now you've got the 14th pick and you gotta make lemonade. So, in Shabazz Muhammad the Wolves have ended up with a guy who is not (yet) a shooting guard and who has fallen from #1 in his class to #14 while Victor Oladipo went almost exactly in the opposite direction. Why? What happened? Well, he's a scorer, they say. And he better be, because he does not do anything else on the court. He does not pass the ball (less than 1 assist per game). He dogs it on defense--he had just 2.5 defensive rebounds per game, less than 1 steal and just 4 blocked shots all year. And, actually, he's not that great of a scorer, he needed a lot of shots to score 18 ppg in his 1st and only season at UCLA. He shot 44 percent from the field, and 38 percent on the 3. Over the last 3 games of the season, as UCLA's season unraveled (losing its final game to massively disappointing Minnesota), he shot 15-of-42 (36 percent) and 0-for-9 for 3 points. With 1.6 turnovers per game, his A/T ratio was 0.5.
And now it turns out that he (and his dad) had lied about his age for his entire life, just so he would look better in the basketball evaluations. 19, they said, but now we know he's 20. Which means there's less upside, less development, less improvement that's likely to occur.
If Flip hadn't rescued the guy, who knows how far he might have fallen.
And, again, he's not a guard, as far as we know. That's what they call him, but that's a wish, not a fact.
Gorgui Dieng
So with the 2nd pick at #21 Flip went big. And luckily there was some big talent on the board around #21, unlike scoring guards at #14. Immediately after Flip picked Dieng, the Nets took Mason Plumlee. Between the 2, I woulda preferred Plumlee.
Plumlee 6-10, 235, 23 years 17 ppg 10 rebounds 1.5 blocks
Dieng 6-11, 245, 23 years 10 ppg 9 rebounds 2.5 blocks
Another way to go, however, was this: Once you find yourself at #14 with no shooting guards available, and if you want a 2 and a big, just go ahead and go big at #14. Immediately after the Shabazz pick at #14, Milwaukee picked 6-9 Giannis Antetokuonmpo from Greece and Boston picked 7-footer Lucas Noguiera from Brazil. Of the 2, Noguiera is both the better prospect and the bigger of the 2 at 7-feet even. He's also bigger than either Plumlee or Dieng, and younger at 20 years, and he's got a massive 7-foot-5 wingspan.
Take Noguiera at #14 and at #21, well, you still don't have a real shooting guard available. So pick somebody you can trade, just like we did at #9!
Summary
So, personally, I think Flip blew it. I'm not a Shabazz fan and while I've got nothin' against Dieng, I like Plumlee better.
So the better play was 1) just take C.J. McCollum at #9 and be done with it.
Or 2) Go big at #14 with Noguiera and do some more trading at #21.
Or 3) take Karasev at #14 and Plumlee at #21.
As it is, I think it's fair to say that neither Shabazz nor Dieng is going to be much of a factor in 2014. We'll find out this weekend whether Nikola Pekovic is going to explore the free agent route or not, and just how much more rebuilding Flip is going to have to do. Trust me, there is more roster management to come. Has to be since the draft didn't plug any of the Wolves' obvious holes. But the Flip Saunders era hasn't started well. Maybe it's our fault (the media, the fans) for ever thinking that this draft would actually matter. But that still doesn't mean Flip didn't make the least of it.
Saturday, June 29, 2013
Friday, June 28, 2013
Newly Edited re. Tory Jacob and Additional Offers
The MN Gophers have received a verbal commitment from Tory Jacob of Irvine, TX, McArthur, a 5-10 guard who scored 20 ppg with 8 rebounds while her team went 24-9 in 2012-2013.
She describes herself in the Dallas Morning News as a player who likes to pass the ball and attack the rim. She was said at 1 time to be looking at Southern Illinois, Memphis, Cincinnati, Michigan State, North Texas, Texas State, Mississippi or New Mexico.
The class of 2014 now includes Carlie Wagner and Grace Coughlin, Minnesota guards; Ohio posts Josie Buckingham and Terra Stapleton; and Texas guard Tory Jacobs. The incoming class this fall includes Joanna Hedstrom, also a MN guard; and forward/wing Stabresa McDaniel, also from TX.
The Gophers have reportedly (published report) offered Nia Hollie, a 2016 guard from Hopkins. There are unpublished reports that 2014s Cayla McMorris and Tonoia Wade have Gopher offers but have not yet made a decision.
There is also an unconfirmed report that Kenisha Bell has verballed Marquette.
She describes herself in the Dallas Morning News as a player who likes to pass the ball and attack the rim. She was said at 1 time to be looking at Southern Illinois, Memphis, Cincinnati, Michigan State, North Texas, Texas State, Mississippi or New Mexico.
The class of 2014 now includes Carlie Wagner and Grace Coughlin, Minnesota guards; Ohio posts Josie Buckingham and Terra Stapleton; and Texas guard Tory Jacobs. The incoming class this fall includes Joanna Hedstrom, also a MN guard; and forward/wing Stabresa McDaniel, also from TX.
The Gophers have reportedly (published report) offered Nia Hollie, a 2016 guard from Hopkins. There are unpublished reports that 2014s Cayla McMorris and Tonoia Wade have Gopher offers but have not yet made a decision.
There is also an unconfirmed report that Kenisha Bell has verballed Marquette.
Monday, June 24, 2013
Lynx outlast Shock 88-79
The Minnesota Lynx played just well enough to defeat the rapidly improving Tulsa Shock 88-79 Sunday night at Target Center. The Shock led early 20-12, stayed close through 38-38 and 40-42 late in the 1st half, but the Lynx scored the last 7 points of the half--Monica Wright hit a j from Lindsay Whalen, Whalen a driving layup from Wright, and Maya Moore a dagger 3 after a steal and assist by Wright--to create some separation.
Minnesota slowly pulled away in the 2nd half, taking their 1st double digit lead when Seimone Augustus hit the 1st 2 points of the half, her 15th and 16th points of the game to that point. The 1st 12 point lead came on a pair of Augustus throws at 2:43, the 1st 14 point lead on another Moore 3, this time from Whalen and this time with just 4 seconds remaining in the 3rd. The largest lead was at 82-67 at 4:27 of the 4th on a Wright steal and breakaway layup.
It was a well-rounded team effort. Seimone and Maya each scored 22 points, Whalen had 19 with 9 assists, Rebekah Brunson 11 with 11 boards. The main images of the game are Whalen running the show, scoring, dishing, basically taking Skylar Diggins to school, and Augustus and Moore hitting the j. The latter 2 shot 16-of-25 between them and the average FG, it seemed, came from about 18 feet. Both were deadly from long range. Seimone, in particular, doesn't need more than a tiny little bit of space to get off that beautiful j of hers, and she could hardly miss last night.
In the end the Lynx shot 53 percent, Tulsa 42. End of story.
Well, that and the other image on the night was a whole series of wide open looks from the perimeter for Tulsa. The Lynx remain a well-oiled machine on the offensive end. The defense was not good, certainly not in the 1st half. The Lynx are now 6-2 and in 1st place in the West (2nd overall). But in their 2 losses they've given up an average of 86 points and 48 percent shooting. Last night it was 79 and 42, and did I mention they did not look good on defense?
2nd year big forward Glory Johnson, in particular, took Janelle McCarville outside and scored 24 points on 9-of-15 FG, mostly from long range (long 2s). Rarely was a defender anywhere nearby. Candace Wiggins got some open looks against her former team, hitting 5-of-8 for 14 points.
But Whalen and company did a nice job of neutralizing Diggins. Whalen, you may recall, scored 19. Diggins scored 9 on 2-of-8 shooting. Her quickness didn't buy her much, while Lindsay used her strength to beat up Diggins in the paint on both ends of the court.
Season Recap
So the Lynx are 6-2 and in 1st place in the West. In the West they've beaten Phoenix and Brittney Greiner twice, and San Antone once. On the other hand, they lost big at L.A. 87-59 Friday night and they're 2-2 on the road. They're outscoring the opposition 83-77 compared to 86-76 a year ago. And last year they out-shot their opponents 47 percent to 41. This year it's just 44-41 to this point.
Maya Moore would seem to be stepping it up. She has raised her scoring by about 2.5 ppg. She's taking about 1 extra shot per game, though her shooting percentage has dropped from .465 to .455. The fact is the extra offense is all Maya getting to the FT line. The good news is the extra offense from Maya hasn't affected Seimone, who is scoring pretty much the same as last year on fewer shots. In fact she has raised her shooting percentage from 49 to 52 percent. The 2 of them together are making 13-of-28 shots per game so far this year versus 13-of-27 a year ago.
Meanwhile Lindsay has actually upped her average from 11.5 to 13, though her shooting percentage is down from .505 to 44 percent. Brunson is average 4-of-9 shots per game, the same as last year. Monica Wright is hitting 3-of-8 versus 3-of-7 a year ago, but Janelle McCarville is hitting 2-of-4 shots per game whereas Taj Franklin-McWilliams made 4-of-7 a year ago.
But wait. The bench (not counting 6th player Monica Wright) is also less productive at 11 ppg on 33 percent shooting versus 17 and 42 percent a year ago. Amber Harris has increased her production marginally, while Devereaux Peters' has fallen a bunch. Rookies Sugar Rogers, Lindsay Moore and Rachel Jarry are making 1 FG per game among them, whereas Wiggins, Jessica Adair and Erin Thorn averaged 4 FG per game a year ago.
So longer term it seems that the Lynx, more than anything, need their experienced bench (Wright, Harris, Peters) to step up. Overall, while it was the D that looked a little shaky last, overall, It's the offense that needs to com together. Everybody but Seimone could be shooting a little better. The difference between a 47 and a 44 percent shooting percentage is probably the difference between 1st and 3rd in the West.
Minnesota slowly pulled away in the 2nd half, taking their 1st double digit lead when Seimone Augustus hit the 1st 2 points of the half, her 15th and 16th points of the game to that point. The 1st 12 point lead came on a pair of Augustus throws at 2:43, the 1st 14 point lead on another Moore 3, this time from Whalen and this time with just 4 seconds remaining in the 3rd. The largest lead was at 82-67 at 4:27 of the 4th on a Wright steal and breakaway layup.
It was a well-rounded team effort. Seimone and Maya each scored 22 points, Whalen had 19 with 9 assists, Rebekah Brunson 11 with 11 boards. The main images of the game are Whalen running the show, scoring, dishing, basically taking Skylar Diggins to school, and Augustus and Moore hitting the j. The latter 2 shot 16-of-25 between them and the average FG, it seemed, came from about 18 feet. Both were deadly from long range. Seimone, in particular, doesn't need more than a tiny little bit of space to get off that beautiful j of hers, and she could hardly miss last night.
In the end the Lynx shot 53 percent, Tulsa 42. End of story.
Well, that and the other image on the night was a whole series of wide open looks from the perimeter for Tulsa. The Lynx remain a well-oiled machine on the offensive end. The defense was not good, certainly not in the 1st half. The Lynx are now 6-2 and in 1st place in the West (2nd overall). But in their 2 losses they've given up an average of 86 points and 48 percent shooting. Last night it was 79 and 42, and did I mention they did not look good on defense?
2nd year big forward Glory Johnson, in particular, took Janelle McCarville outside and scored 24 points on 9-of-15 FG, mostly from long range (long 2s). Rarely was a defender anywhere nearby. Candace Wiggins got some open looks against her former team, hitting 5-of-8 for 14 points.
But Whalen and company did a nice job of neutralizing Diggins. Whalen, you may recall, scored 19. Diggins scored 9 on 2-of-8 shooting. Her quickness didn't buy her much, while Lindsay used her strength to beat up Diggins in the paint on both ends of the court.
Season Recap
So the Lynx are 6-2 and in 1st place in the West. In the West they've beaten Phoenix and Brittney Greiner twice, and San Antone once. On the other hand, they lost big at L.A. 87-59 Friday night and they're 2-2 on the road. They're outscoring the opposition 83-77 compared to 86-76 a year ago. And last year they out-shot their opponents 47 percent to 41. This year it's just 44-41 to this point.
Maya Moore would seem to be stepping it up. She has raised her scoring by about 2.5 ppg. She's taking about 1 extra shot per game, though her shooting percentage has dropped from .465 to .455. The fact is the extra offense is all Maya getting to the FT line. The good news is the extra offense from Maya hasn't affected Seimone, who is scoring pretty much the same as last year on fewer shots. In fact she has raised her shooting percentage from 49 to 52 percent. The 2 of them together are making 13-of-28 shots per game so far this year versus 13-of-27 a year ago.
Meanwhile Lindsay has actually upped her average from 11.5 to 13, though her shooting percentage is down from .505 to 44 percent. Brunson is average 4-of-9 shots per game, the same as last year. Monica Wright is hitting 3-of-8 versus 3-of-7 a year ago, but Janelle McCarville is hitting 2-of-4 shots per game whereas Taj Franklin-McWilliams made 4-of-7 a year ago.
But wait. The bench (not counting 6th player Monica Wright) is also less productive at 11 ppg on 33 percent shooting versus 17 and 42 percent a year ago. Amber Harris has increased her production marginally, while Devereaux Peters' has fallen a bunch. Rookies Sugar Rogers, Lindsay Moore and Rachel Jarry are making 1 FG per game among them, whereas Wiggins, Jessica Adair and Erin Thorn averaged 4 FG per game a year ago.
So longer term it seems that the Lynx, more than anything, need their experienced bench (Wright, Harris, Peters) to step up. Overall, while it was the D that looked a little shaky last, overall, It's the offense that needs to com together. Everybody but Seimone could be shooting a little better. The difference between a 47 and a 44 percent shooting percentage is probably the difference between 1st and 3rd in the West.
Saturday, June 15, 2013
Girls Player Ratings 2018s
EDITED May 20, 2013
EDITED June 15, 2013
Class of 2018
Now in 7th grade, playing 12 & Under club ball this summer. At the AAU championships, I saw 2 2018 games, 3 teams, all of them semi-finalists. I saw the champions from North Tartan 12U twice.
1. Carmen Backes, Chisago Lakes, 5-11, forward. North Tartan 13U. Played 14 minutes in the state tournament against champion DeLaSalle and scored 5 points with a rebound, an assist and 2 turnovers. Playing up and is a prime contributor on North Tartan's 13U AAU champions.
2. Christina Carr. Playing for her dad at 43 Hoops 12U this summer. Plays the post now but looks more like a forward longer term. Puts the ball on the floor and gets to the rim. Likely to end up at Eden Prairie, where her dad is also the coach.
3. Maesyn Thiesen, Becker, 5-5, guard, North Tartan 12U, the brains/the coach on the floor for the 12U state champs. Super court sense, protects the ball, makes the offense go, can score.
4. Kayla Mershon, Minnetonka, 6-1, wing, North Tartan 12U. A super basketball body, 6-1 already but mobile as you could want. Needs to get better at putting the ball in the hole while in motion and taking contact.
5. Sam Haiby, Moorhead, 5-6, guard, North Tartan 12U. Gotta ask, of course, if all the best kids play for Tartan, then why did they just win the final 2 rounds by 6 and 9 points? Fair question. Maybe it's just the "Tartan system" that makes the kids look good? Or is it the kids making Tartan look good? Whatever, the fact is they looked so well organized, so mature, with stuff like floor spacing. And along with Thiesen, it was Haiby and Erika Hicks, the 3 point guards, who really excelled in those things that make Tartan Tartan.
6. Katey Brattland. International School during HS season, 43 Hoops 12U now. I know some of the 43 Hoops/Eden Prairie parents are hoping she ends up at Eden Prairie, but I'm also hearing that, no, she'll be staying at International.
7. Kali Grimm, Norwood-Young America, forward. MN Fury 2018 Blue. A long, athletic scorer, What more do you want?
8. Sydney Stapleton, Centennial, 5-8, guard, North Tartan 12U. Not as big as Mershon, who is assumed to have more upside. But right now, today, Stapleton is more likely than Mershon to put the ball in the hole.
9. Marie Olson, 6-1, center-forward. North Tartan 12U. Pretty much of a ringer for Mershon.
10. Alexis Mathews, Centennial. North Metro Aftershock DuBois. #1 scorer in AAU Qualifier.
11. Erica Hicks, 5-2, guard. North Tartan 12U. See my comments for #3 Maesyn Thiesen and #5 Sam Haiby.
12. Audrey Gadison, Benilde-St. Margaret's, 5-5, guard. Playing up with Midtown Monarchs 13U. Another gym rat who plays like a veteran.
13. Zoe Hardwick, post. A big girl, works hard. 43 Hoops, where the parents think she'll end up at Eden Prairie.
14. Madison Kerzman, Becker, 6-1, center-forward. North Tartan 12U.
15. Elizabeth Edinger, Woodbury, forward. MN Fury 2018 Blue.
16. Amanda Pollard, Champlin Park, guard. MN Fury 2018 Blue. Strong, athletic.
17. Gabby Mocchi, Legacy Christian, forward. Not as long as Grimm but of similar maturity and skill.
18. Sidney Zieske, Waconia, 5-5, Metro Stars 12U.
19. Annika Rose, Maple Grove, 5-6, guard. North Tartan 12U.
20. Kari Macura, Lakeville North, guard. 43 Hoops.
21. Sophia Findell. MN Heat Soukop.
22. Megan Walstad, forward. 43 Hoops.
23. Jordan Ferrand, White Bear Lake. MN Fury 2018 Blue. Another nice long body.
24. Bailey Becker. North Tartan.
25 (tie), Heather Elfering, forward, and Anna Peters, guard, both Forest Lake. And both play for Fury 2018 Gold.
27. Lynnea Helman, Rogers. MN Fury 2018 Blue.
28. Mariah Alipate, Bloomington Jefferson, center-forward. 43 Hoops.
45. Sydney Blandin, Farmington, 5-5, Metro Stars 12U
46. Taylor Rawstern, Lakeville North, 5-3, Metro Stars 12U
47. Maria Strom, Minnetonka, MN Fury 2018 Blue
48, Andrea Abrams, Eastview, MN Fury 2018 Blue
49, Taylor Zaugg, Champlin Park, 5-2, Metro Stars 12U
50. Lauren Blacsziek, MN Stars Blacsziek
Watch List in alpha order
Kari Benson, Becker 7th grade club
Peyton Bernstrom, Becker 7th grade club
Lauren Boike, Eagan, 5-7, NT 12U Silver
Mary Burke, Mountain Iron-Buhl, 5-7, post
Rachel Garvey, Waconia, 5-2, Metro Stars 12U
Rachel Hakes, Woodbury, 5-2, Metro Stars 12U
Heaven Hamling. MN Stars Blascziek.
Ellie Henry, Eden Prairie 7th grade club
Sydney Jones, Eden Prairie 7th grade club
Madeline Loder, Orono, 5-7, Metro Stars 12U
Hailey Moore, St. Agnes, 5-9, Metro Stars 12U
Terra Rhoades, Minnehaha, 5-4, guard. MN Stars Blascziek.
Emma Schultz, Eden Valley-Watkins, 5-6. NT 12U Silver
Renae Tripp, Becker 7th grade club
EDITED June 15, 2013
Class of 2018
Now in 7th grade, playing 12 & Under club ball this summer. At the AAU championships, I saw 2 2018 games, 3 teams, all of them semi-finalists. I saw the champions from North Tartan 12U twice.
1. Carmen Backes, Chisago Lakes, 5-11, forward. North Tartan 13U. Played 14 minutes in the state tournament against champion DeLaSalle and scored 5 points with a rebound, an assist and 2 turnovers. Playing up and is a prime contributor on North Tartan's 13U AAU champions.
2. Christina Carr. Playing for her dad at 43 Hoops 12U this summer. Plays the post now but looks more like a forward longer term. Puts the ball on the floor and gets to the rim. Likely to end up at Eden Prairie, where her dad is also the coach.
3. Maesyn Thiesen, Becker, 5-5, guard, North Tartan 12U, the brains/the coach on the floor for the 12U state champs. Super court sense, protects the ball, makes the offense go, can score.
4. Kayla Mershon, Minnetonka, 6-1, wing, North Tartan 12U. A super basketball body, 6-1 already but mobile as you could want. Needs to get better at putting the ball in the hole while in motion and taking contact.
5. Sam Haiby, Moorhead, 5-6, guard, North Tartan 12U. Gotta ask, of course, if all the best kids play for Tartan, then why did they just win the final 2 rounds by 6 and 9 points? Fair question. Maybe it's just the "Tartan system" that makes the kids look good? Or is it the kids making Tartan look good? Whatever, the fact is they looked so well organized, so mature, with stuff like floor spacing. And along with Thiesen, it was Haiby and Erika Hicks, the 3 point guards, who really excelled in those things that make Tartan Tartan.
6. Katey Brattland. International School during HS season, 43 Hoops 12U now. I know some of the 43 Hoops/Eden Prairie parents are hoping she ends up at Eden Prairie, but I'm also hearing that, no, she'll be staying at International.
7. Kali Grimm, Norwood-Young America, forward. MN Fury 2018 Blue. A long, athletic scorer, What more do you want?
8. Sydney Stapleton, Centennial, 5-8, guard, North Tartan 12U. Not as big as Mershon, who is assumed to have more upside. But right now, today, Stapleton is more likely than Mershon to put the ball in the hole.
9. Marie Olson, 6-1, center-forward. North Tartan 12U. Pretty much of a ringer for Mershon.
10. Alexis Mathews, Centennial. North Metro Aftershock DuBois. #1 scorer in AAU Qualifier.
11. Erica Hicks, 5-2, guard. North Tartan 12U. See my comments for #3 Maesyn Thiesen and #5 Sam Haiby.
12. Audrey Gadison, Benilde-St. Margaret's, 5-5, guard. Playing up with Midtown Monarchs 13U. Another gym rat who plays like a veteran.
13. Zoe Hardwick, post. A big girl, works hard. 43 Hoops, where the parents think she'll end up at Eden Prairie.
14. Madison Kerzman, Becker, 6-1, center-forward. North Tartan 12U.
15. Elizabeth Edinger, Woodbury, forward. MN Fury 2018 Blue.
16. Amanda Pollard, Champlin Park, guard. MN Fury 2018 Blue. Strong, athletic.
17. Gabby Mocchi, Legacy Christian, forward. Not as long as Grimm but of similar maturity and skill.
19. Annika Rose, Maple Grove, 5-6, guard. North Tartan 12U.
20. Kari Macura, Lakeville North, guard. 43 Hoops.
21. Sophia Findell. MN Heat Soukop.
22. Megan Walstad, forward. 43 Hoops.
23. Jordan Ferrand, White Bear Lake. MN Fury 2018 Blue. Another nice long body.
24. Bailey Becker. North Tartan.
25 (tie), Heather Elfering, forward, and Anna Peters, guard, both Forest Lake. And both play for Fury 2018 Gold.
27. Lynnea Helman, Rogers. MN Fury 2018 Blue.
28. Mariah Alipate, Bloomington Jefferson, center-forward. 43 Hoops.
29. Lauryn Moline, Maple Grove, 5-9, guard. North Tartan 12U.
30. Megan Walker, Rogers, 5-7, guard. North Tartan 12U.
38. Kira Mosley. 43 Hoops.
44. Alyssa Wagner, 43 Hoops30. Megan Walker, Rogers, 5-7, guard. North Tartan 12U.
31. Jaclyn Jarnot, Maranatha, 5-6, guard, MN Stars 7th Blascziek.
32. Paige Favilla. MN Stars 7th Gardner.
36. Whitney Dold. North Tartan West.
37. Ellie Wolkow, Lakeville South, guard. MN Fury 2018 Blue.
33. McKenna Monahan, Glencoe-Silver Lake. MN Fury 2018 Blue.
34. Kelsey Peschel, Sauk Center, 5-6, guard, North Tartan 12U
35. Annika Holt, Northfield, 5-11. NT 12U SIlver.36. Whitney Dold. North Tartan West.
38. Kira Mosley. 43 Hoops.
39. Courtney Carlson, Eastview, 5-9. Metro Stars 12U.
40. Taylor Brown, Lakeville North, 5-9, Metro Stars 12U
41. Linnea Bollum, 43 Hoops
42. Stephanie Braund, Braham, 5-7, forward
40. Taylor Brown, Lakeville North, 5-9, Metro Stars 12U
41. Linnea Bollum, 43 Hoops
42. Stephanie Braund, Braham, 5-7, forward
43. Imani Sa'eed-El, Bloomington Kennedy
45. Sydney Blandin, Farmington, 5-5, Metro Stars 12U
46. Taylor Rawstern, Lakeville North, 5-3, Metro Stars 12U
47. Maria Strom, Minnetonka, MN Fury 2018 Blue
48, Andrea Abrams, Eastview, MN Fury 2018 Blue
49, Taylor Zaugg, Champlin Park, 5-2, Metro Stars 12U
50. Lauren Blacsziek, MN Stars Blacsziek
Watch List in alpha order
Kari Benson, Becker 7th grade club
Peyton Bernstrom, Becker 7th grade club
Lauren Boike, Eagan, 5-7, NT 12U Silver
Mary Burke, Mountain Iron-Buhl, 5-7, post
Rachel Garvey, Waconia, 5-2, Metro Stars 12U
Rachel Hakes, Woodbury, 5-2, Metro Stars 12U
Heaven Hamling. MN Stars Blascziek.
Ellie Henry, Eden Prairie 7th grade club
Sydney Jones, Eden Prairie 7th grade club
Madeline Loder, Orono, 5-7, Metro Stars 12U
Hailey Moore, St. Agnes, 5-9, Metro Stars 12U
Terra Rhoades, Minnehaha, 5-4, guard. MN Stars Blascziek.
Emma Schultz, Eden Valley-Watkins, 5-6. NT 12U Silver
Renae Tripp, Becker 7th grade club
Thursday, June 6, 2013
Girls Player Rankings--2014s
EDITED January 10, 2013
EDITED January 20, 2013
EDITED March 28, 2013
EDITED May 24, 2013
UPDATED June 7, 2013
Well, the "mighty 2013s" are just about recruited so the focus now shifts to the 2014s. The Gopher have tapped Carlie Wagner (#1) and Grace Coughlin (#12). They had also tapped Kenisha Bell (#3 ) but she de-committed in the fall of 2012. Maybe the Gophers are in fact tapped out on the 2014s but there's lots of intriguing talents still on the market. Cayla McMorris would seem to be the #1 remaining prize but somebody will be very fortunate also to get Norby, Lamberty, Grim and others. (Lamberty later announced for Creighton and the Big East.)
There should be a dozen or more 2014s who will verbal a college from now through next fall. The 1st spring verbal is Maddie Dean of Jordan (#19 below) who is going to Drake.
1. Carlie Wagner, NRHEG, 5-10, combo guard. Nobody has ever made such a dramatic introduction of herself to Minnesota girls high school basketball fans. Wagner set state tournament records with 48 points in a state tournament game and 112 in a tournament in 2012, then scored 48 and 50 in 2013. Gets to the rim at will, and finishes, and drains 3s, too. Verballed the Gophers this winter. Playing for MN Stars 11th Borowicz this summer.
2. Cayla McMorris, Park Center, 6-1, post/power forward. Strong, aggressive, scores inside and out. Pounds the boards. Playing for North Tartan 17U Elite. Going to Wisconsin.
3. Kenisha Bell, Bloomington Kennedy, 5-9, point guard. Somewhat more geared toward shooting and scoring than to distributing but does both with aplomb. Super quick. Missed part of 2013 with a hand injury. De-committed the University of Minnesota in the fall of 2012, going to Marquette. North Tartan 17U Elite.
4. Ta'Kendra (Tia) Elbert, Tartan, 5-7, combo guard. Gets to the rim with ease, finishes strong. Top scorer in the state (among the girls) at 36 ppg. North Tartan 17U Elite. Moves up from #8. Also going to Marquette.
5. Chase Coley, Mpls. Washburn, 6-3, forward. Still developing her feel for the game, but you heard right that she averages 11 blocks a game. She blocked 16 in 2 state tournament games. North Tartan 17U Elite, looks physically stronger this summer than I remember her in March. Has verballed Iowa.
6. Taylor Thunstedt, New London-Spicer, 5-8, combo guard. Had a remarkable winter with several 40 and 50 point games. Metro Stars Black. Going to North Dakota State.
7. Ellie Thompson, Chaska, 6-2, post. Not a late bloomer really, but rated below Fernstrom, Alt and Norby initially, but has come on strong. South Dakota State recruit. MN Fury 2014 Elite.
8. Sydney Lamberty, Park, 5-10, combo guard. Her length sets her apart from some of the other guards. MN Stars 11th Borowicz. Just announced on May 29--she's going to Creighton to compete for playing time at guard with Marissa Janning and MC McGrory. Go Bluejays.
9. Bryanna Fernstom, Chisago Lakes, 6-5, post. You can't teach 6-5. Knows how to use her body. Nice soft hands and soft shooting touch. MN Stars 11th Borowicz. Going to Iowa State.
10. Bailey Norby, Forest Lake, 6-2, post. A scrapper, plays hard, finds a way to put the ball in the basket. MN Stars 11th Borowicz. Going to Creighton, who is rapidly displacing South Dakota State as the top recruiter of Minnesota girls.
11. Grace Coughlin, Benilde-St. Margaret's, 5-7, point guard. Quick, protects the ball, more of a ball distributor and less of a scorer than the other guards at the top of this list. Minnesota Gopher recruit. MN Stars 11th Borowicz.
12. Kylie Brown, Simley, 6-3, forward. I've seen her rated as high as #3 in this class, and in this class that is impressive, but she's maybe a bit tentative.... MN Fury 2014 Elite. Going to Creighton.
13. Hannah Grim, Rosemount, 5-9, combo guard. Small but hard-nosed, scores from anywhere on the court. MN Fury 2014 Elite. Another Marquette guard.
14. Madison Dean, Jordan, 5-9, combo guard. MN Stars 11th Borowicz. Think Sari Noga. Verballed Drake (D1 Missouri Valley Conference, one of the top mid-major conferences).
15. Grace Sawatzke, Monticello, 5-9, guard. Aggressive, understands the game. North Dakota.
16. Michaela Rasmussen, Holy Family, 6-1, forward. Fluid, athletic, finishes. Metro Stars Black. Toledo.
17. Tonoia Wade, Bloomington Kennedy, 6-2, forward. North Tartan 17U Elite. St. John's (NY).
18. Clare Lundberg, Anoka, 6-1, small forward. Fluid, athletic, a scorer. MN Fury 2014 Elite.
19 (tie). Bailey Strand, 5-10, combo guard and Brianna Rassmussen, 6-0, combo guard, both Fergus Falls. Can anybody in Minnesota have a more dynamic duo than Fergus with Strand and Rasmussen? Well, 8th grade guards Chelsea Mason and Mya Buffetta of Mountain Iron-Buhl outplayed them over the 2012-2013 holidays. Still, terrific clutch players, not as quick as some, but get the job done. Both are with Metro Stars Black, it will be fascinating to see how they stack up to Taylor Thunstedt. Both are going to the state of North Dakota: Strand to UND to play basketball, Rasmussen to NDSU to play volleyball.
21. Alexis Alexander, Champlin Park, 5-8, point guard. A step slow? Verballed South Dakota State. North Tartan 17U Elite, and has looked better than expected playing next to Bell and Elbert.
22. Katie Quandt, Lakeville South, 6-2, post/power forward. MN Fury 2014 Elite. Verballed Boston College.
23. Brooke Yaggie, Thief River Falls, combo guard. Big time scorer for her high school team, and a crack distributor for her summer team.
24. Darby Youngstrom, North Woods, 5-10, combo guard.
30. Ayo Porte, Osseo, 5-10, strong forward. And I mean strong.
31. Mikayla Miller, Goodhue, 5-7, point guard. 21ppg.
32. Jordyn Alt, Cretin-Derham Hall, 6-2, post. Was regarded as the best 2014 post at one time. Reminds me of Laura Melquist of Rochester Lourdes a couple years ago. MN Stars 11th Borowicz. We'll see how she and Norby and Fernstrom all shake out. Has verballed Denver.
33. Chelsey Guetter, Wabasso, 6-0, post-forward. Verballed Augustana.
49. Bryn Woodside, Albert Lea, 5-3, guard. MN Stars Hersch.
50. Micaela Noga, Parkers Prairie, 5-7, combo guard. NorthTartan 17U Elite. going to Minnesota-Crookston.
51. Anna Pfefferle, Northfield, forward. Long, lots of upside.
52. Abby Hawkinson, McGregor, 5-5, guard. 22 ppg.
53. Kendall Babb, Chaska, 6-2, post. North Tartan Elites. Marist.
54. Erin Autio, St. Michael-Albertville, 6-2, forward.
55. Naja Woods, Mpls. Southwest, scorer. MN Stars 11th Woods.
56. Maddie Wolkow, Lakeville South, 5-6, guard. MN Fury 2014 Elite.
57. Mia Anderson, Duluth East, forward. 13ppg scorer in the school season, having a good summer as well.
60. Kate Banovetz, Holy Angels, 6-1, post. Active. MN Fury 2014 Gold.
61. Jill Conrad, Centennial, 5-11, post. Lit up Hopkins and Erin O'Toole.
62. Maddy Kempf, Burnsville, 5-8, guard. North Tartan 16U.
63. Maddy Lee, Maranatha, 5-9, shooting guard. Smooth. MN Stars 11th Borowicz. Mankato State.
64. MaKenna Panning, Chaska, 5-6, guard. Fury Gold. Going to Winona State.
65. Vanessa Lane, Pequot Lakes, forward.
66. Jamie Swanson, East Ridge. MN Stars 11th Nelson.
67. Monica Vega, 5-3, Ada-Borup, guard. Part of the world's smallest backcourt.
68. Allie Knuti, Mountain Iron-Buhl, 6-2, post-power forward. Bemidji State.
69. Tori Mekash, Badger-Greenbush-Middle River, guard.
70. Siri Sviggum, Kenyon-Wanamingo, 6-1, forward.
71. Brooke Berger, Mound, 5-7, point guard. MN Fury 2014 Gold.
72. Sam Forslund, Chisago Lakes, 5-8, guard. 36ers Keys.
73. Alyssa Lentner, Monticello, 5-9, forward. MN Fury 2014 Gold.
74. Kellie Tonn, Moorhead, guard. MN Fury 2014 Gold.
75. Audra Clark Kenyon-Wanamingo, guard.
76. Destinee Villebrun, North Woods.
77. Molly Hennen, Minneota, 5-10, point guard.
78. Laurie Bohler, Cooper, 5-6, guard. New to the list, understands the game.
79. Haydn Becker, Andover, guard. Metro Stars Black.
80. Shaina Stevenson, Ada-Borup, 5-1, guard.
81. Kaila Burroughs, St. Cloud Tech, 6-0, forward. Going to Denver.
82. Aunikah Bastian, Mankato Loyola, 5-5, guard.
83. Katrina Reeves, Hopkuns, 5-10, forward.
84. Kelsey Kennedy, Nashwauk-Keewatin, 5-3, point guard.
85. Jasmine Bretoi, Centennial, 5-9, guard.
Lydia Kieft, New London-Spicer, 5-7, guard.
Kyann Nyhus, Staples-Motley, 5-4, guard.
Kaitlin Ptacek, Owatonna, forward.
Kyndal Cox, Owatonna, 5-10, forward.
Analea Erickson, Perham.
Kayla Lardy, St. Peter, 6-0, center.
Sydney Rehnelt, Albert Lea, guard.
Shanni Moorse, Apple Valley, forward.
Karina Skov, Alden-Conger, 5-4, guard.
Brooke Reyerson, Alden-Conger, 5-9, forward.
Jennis Scislow, St. Croix Lutheran, 5-4, point guard.
Ashley Maack, Rothsay, 5-5.
Sam Martinson, Fridley, 5-11, power forward.
Cassidy Mercil, Warren-Alvarado-Oslo, 5-5, guard.
Jordyn Strombeck, St. Croix Lutheran, 5-5, guard.
Abbie Olson, Morris-Chokio-Alberta, 5-9, center.
Emily Whitesell, Annandale, forward.
Madison Foresell, Osakis, forward.
Georgie Brattland, International, guard.
Courtney Carr, Irondale, 5-9, guard.
EDITED January 20, 2013
EDITED March 28, 2013
EDITED May 24, 2013
UPDATED June 7, 2013
Well, the "mighty 2013s" are just about recruited so the focus now shifts to the 2014s. The Gopher have tapped Carlie Wagner (#1) and Grace Coughlin (#12). They had also tapped Kenisha Bell (#3 ) but she de-committed in the fall of 2012. Maybe the Gophers are in fact tapped out on the 2014s but there's lots of intriguing talents still on the market. Cayla McMorris would seem to be the #1 remaining prize but somebody will be very fortunate also to get Norby, Lamberty, Grim and others. (Lamberty later announced for Creighton and the Big East.)
There should be a dozen or more 2014s who will verbal a college from now through next fall. The 1st spring verbal is Maddie Dean of Jordan (#19 below) who is going to Drake.
1. Carlie Wagner, NRHEG, 5-10, combo guard. Nobody has ever made such a dramatic introduction of herself to Minnesota girls high school basketball fans. Wagner set state tournament records with 48 points in a state tournament game and 112 in a tournament in 2012, then scored 48 and 50 in 2013. Gets to the rim at will, and finishes, and drains 3s, too. Verballed the Gophers this winter. Playing for MN Stars 11th Borowicz this summer.
2. Cayla McMorris, Park Center, 6-1, post/power forward. Strong, aggressive, scores inside and out. Pounds the boards. Playing for North Tartan 17U Elite. Going to Wisconsin.
3. Kenisha Bell, Bloomington Kennedy, 5-9, point guard. Somewhat more geared toward shooting and scoring than to distributing but does both with aplomb. Super quick. Missed part of 2013 with a hand injury. De-committed the University of Minnesota in the fall of 2012, going to Marquette. North Tartan 17U Elite.
4. Ta'Kendra (Tia) Elbert, Tartan, 5-7, combo guard. Gets to the rim with ease, finishes strong. Top scorer in the state (among the girls) at 36 ppg. North Tartan 17U Elite. Moves up from #8. Also going to Marquette.
5. Chase Coley, Mpls. Washburn, 6-3, forward. Still developing her feel for the game, but you heard right that she averages 11 blocks a game. She blocked 16 in 2 state tournament games. North Tartan 17U Elite, looks physically stronger this summer than I remember her in March. Has verballed Iowa.
7. Ellie Thompson, Chaska, 6-2, post. Not a late bloomer really, but rated below Fernstrom, Alt and Norby initially, but has come on strong. South Dakota State recruit. MN Fury 2014 Elite.
8. Sydney Lamberty, Park, 5-10, combo guard. Her length sets her apart from some of the other guards. MN Stars 11th Borowicz. Just announced on May 29--she's going to Creighton to compete for playing time at guard with Marissa Janning and MC McGrory. Go Bluejays.
9. Bryanna Fernstom, Chisago Lakes, 6-5, post. You can't teach 6-5. Knows how to use her body. Nice soft hands and soft shooting touch. MN Stars 11th Borowicz. Going to Iowa State.
10. Bailey Norby, Forest Lake, 6-2, post. A scrapper, plays hard, finds a way to put the ball in the basket. MN Stars 11th Borowicz. Going to Creighton, who is rapidly displacing South Dakota State as the top recruiter of Minnesota girls.
11. Grace Coughlin, Benilde-St. Margaret's, 5-7, point guard. Quick, protects the ball, more of a ball distributor and less of a scorer than the other guards at the top of this list. Minnesota Gopher recruit. MN Stars 11th Borowicz.
12. Kylie Brown, Simley, 6-3, forward. I've seen her rated as high as #3 in this class, and in this class that is impressive, but she's maybe a bit tentative.... MN Fury 2014 Elite. Going to Creighton.
13. Hannah Grim, Rosemount, 5-9, combo guard. Small but hard-nosed, scores from anywhere on the court. MN Fury 2014 Elite. Another Marquette guard.
14. Madison Dean, Jordan, 5-9, combo guard. MN Stars 11th Borowicz. Think Sari Noga. Verballed Drake (D1 Missouri Valley Conference, one of the top mid-major conferences).
15. Grace Sawatzke, Monticello, 5-9, guard. Aggressive, understands the game. North Dakota.
16. Michaela Rasmussen, Holy Family, 6-1, forward. Fluid, athletic, finishes. Metro Stars Black. Toledo.
17. Tonoia Wade, Bloomington Kennedy, 6-2, forward. North Tartan 17U Elite. St. John's (NY).
18. Clare Lundberg, Anoka, 6-1, small forward. Fluid, athletic, a scorer. MN Fury 2014 Elite.
21. Alexis Alexander, Champlin Park, 5-8, point guard. A step slow? Verballed South Dakota State. North Tartan 17U Elite, and has looked better than expected playing next to Bell and Elbert.
22. Katie Quandt, Lakeville South, 6-2, post/power forward. MN Fury 2014 Elite. Verballed Boston College.
23. Brooke Yaggie, Thief River Falls, combo guard. Big time scorer for her high school team, and a crack distributor for her summer team.
24. Darby Youngstrom, North Woods, 5-10, combo guard.
25. Claire Ziegler, Mankato East, 5-11, forward. MN Stars 11th Nelson. Going to Mankato State.
26. Anna Monke, Fergus Falls, 6-0, forward. Tough. North Tartan 17U Elite. UMD.
27. Anne Hamilton, Minnetonka, 6-0, forward. MN Fury 2014 Elite. Verballed Valparaiso.
26. Anna Monke, Fergus Falls, 6-0, forward. Tough. North Tartan 17U Elite. UMD.
27. Anne Hamilton, Minnetonka, 6-0, forward. MN Fury 2014 Elite. Verballed Valparaiso.
28. Kayla Miller, Detroit Lakes, 5-9, guard. MN Fury 2014 Elite.
29. Molly O'Toole, Hopkins, 5-10, power forward. North Tartan 16U. 6 inches shorter than her sister so a very different player. Relies a lot more on skill and finesse.
29. Molly O'Toole, Hopkins, 5-10, power forward. North Tartan 16U. 6 inches shorter than her sister so a very different player. Relies a lot more on skill and finesse.
32. Jordyn Alt, Cretin-Derham Hall, 6-2, post. Was regarded as the best 2014 post at one time. Reminds me of Laura Melquist of Rochester Lourdes a couple years ago. MN Stars 11th Borowicz. We'll see how she and Norby and Fernstrom all shake out. Has verballed Denver.
33. Chelsey Guetter, Wabasso, 6-0, post-forward. Verballed Augustana.
34. Kate McKay, Henry Sibley, 6-1, center-power forward. Scoring 16.5 ppg with 14 rebounds on an otherwise terrible team.
35. Rayna Sherow, St. Paul Central, 6-2, power forward. Great upside, could rank higher. MN Suns 16U Arbogast.
36. Shelby Kaster, Win-E-Mac, forward.
37. McKenna Happke, Providence, 6-1, post/power forward. North Dakota State. Metro Stars Black.
41. Kenzie Beekman, Marshall, 5-11. forward. Going to Southwest State for volleyball.
45. Emily Wimmer, St. Croix Lutheran, 6-2, forward. North Tartan 16U.
46. Lindsay Dorr, Rogers, 6-2, power forward. Fury Gold. Going to Toledo.
47. Destinee Morris, Centennial, 5-9, wing. Verballed Army. MN Stars 11th Borowicz.
48. Amanda Christianson, Alexandria, 5-10, forward. St. Cloud State.35. Rayna Sherow, St. Paul Central, 6-2, power forward. Great upside, could rank higher. MN Suns 16U Arbogast.
36. Shelby Kaster, Win-E-Mac, forward.
37. McKenna Happke, Providence, 6-1, post/power forward. North Dakota State. Metro Stars Black.
38. Andi Gayner, Dassel-Cokato, 5-10, center-forward. Mayville State.
39. Daijzah Morris, 5-8, wing, Centennial. Verballed Army. MN Stars 11th Borowicz.
40. Nicole Fokken, 6-2, post, Pine Island.
39. Daijzah Morris, 5-8, wing, Centennial. Verballed Army. MN Stars 11th Borowicz.
40. Nicole Fokken, 6-2, post, Pine Island.
41. Kenzie Beekman, Marshall, 5-11. forward. Going to Southwest State for volleyball.
42. Georgi Donchetz, forward, Burnsville. MN Fury 2014 Elite. Moved up based on summer play. Verballed Valparaiso.
43. Amazih Eickhoff, Albany, 5-8, combo guard. North Tartan 16U.
43. Amazih Eickhoff, Albany, 5-8, combo guard. North Tartan 16U.
44. Kyrah Fredenburg, Anoka, 5-11, forward. MN Suns 16U Arbogast. Verballed D2 Concordia St. Paul.
46. Lindsay Dorr, Rogers, 6-2, power forward. Fury Gold. Going to Toledo.
47. Destinee Morris, Centennial, 5-9, wing. Verballed Army. MN Stars 11th Borowicz.
49. Bryn Woodside, Albert Lea, 5-3, guard. MN Stars Hersch.
50. Micaela Noga, Parkers Prairie, 5-7, combo guard. NorthTartan 17U Elite. going to Minnesota-Crookston.
51. Anna Pfefferle, Northfield, forward. Long, lots of upside.
52. Abby Hawkinson, McGregor, 5-5, guard. 22 ppg.
53. Kendall Babb, Chaska, 6-2, post. North Tartan Elites. Marist.
54. Erin Autio, St. Michael-Albertville, 6-2, forward.
55. Naja Woods, Mpls. Southwest, scorer. MN Stars 11th Woods.
56. Maddie Wolkow, Lakeville South, 5-6, guard. MN Fury 2014 Elite.
57. Mia Anderson, Duluth East, forward. 13ppg scorer in the school season, having a good summer as well.
58. Shelby Gracik, Elk River, guard. MN Stars 11th Hewitt.
59. Kayla Nickles, Braham, 5-8, forward-guard. Gets things done. North Tartan 16U.60. Kate Banovetz, Holy Angels, 6-1, post. Active. MN Fury 2014 Gold.
61. Jill Conrad, Centennial, 5-11, post. Lit up Hopkins and Erin O'Toole.
62. Maddy Kempf, Burnsville, 5-8, guard. North Tartan 16U.
63. Maddy Lee, Maranatha, 5-9, shooting guard. Smooth. MN Stars 11th Borowicz. Mankato State.
64. MaKenna Panning, Chaska, 5-6, guard. Fury Gold. Going to Winona State.
66. Jamie Swanson, East Ridge. MN Stars 11th Nelson.
67. Monica Vega, 5-3, Ada-Borup, guard. Part of the world's smallest backcourt.
68. Allie Knuti, Mountain Iron-Buhl, 6-2, post-power forward. Bemidji State.
69. Tori Mekash, Badger-Greenbush-Middle River, guard.
70. Siri Sviggum, Kenyon-Wanamingo, 6-1, forward.
71. Brooke Berger, Mound, 5-7, point guard. MN Fury 2014 Gold.
72. Sam Forslund, Chisago Lakes, 5-8, guard. 36ers Keys.
73. Alyssa Lentner, Monticello, 5-9, forward. MN Fury 2014 Gold.
74. Kellie Tonn, Moorhead, guard. MN Fury 2014 Gold.
75. Audra Clark Kenyon-Wanamingo, guard.
76. Destinee Villebrun, North Woods.
77. Molly Hennen, Minneota, 5-10, point guard.
78. Laurie Bohler, Cooper, 5-6, guard. New to the list, understands the game.
79. Haydn Becker, Andover, guard. Metro Stars Black.
80. Shaina Stevenson, Ada-Borup, 5-1, guard.
81. Kaila Burroughs, St. Cloud Tech, 6-0, forward. Going to Denver.
82. Aunikah Bastian, Mankato Loyola, 5-5, guard.
83. Katrina Reeves, Hopkuns, 5-10, forward.
84. Kelsey Kennedy, Nashwauk-Keewatin, 5-3, point guard.
85. Jasmine Bretoi, Centennial, 5-9, guard.
86. Rianna Eckert, Forest Lake, 5-10, forward. Stars Hersch.
87. Vanessa Spohn, Albany, 5-6.
88. Anita McCoy, Roseville. MN 36ers.
89. Taylor Karge, Mankato East, 6-0, center. MN Stars 11th Nelson.
90. Grayson Schroeder, 5-6, guards, Lakeville South. MN Suns 16U Arbogast.
91. Amber Bray, Anoka, 6-2, post. MN Suns 16U Arbogast.
92. Samantha Connolly, Burnsville, 5-10, forward. 2014 MN Fury Gold.
93. Brooke Brommenschenkel, Norman County West, 5-6, guard.
96. Hannah Louiselle, Trinity, guard.
97. Jayla Mayes-Jackson, Eden Prairie, 5-8, guard. A transfer, finding her place in EP system.
105. Tabitha Anderson, Minnesota School for the Deaf, 5-8, forward.
106. Lizzy Swanson, East Central, 5-9, guard.
107. Joelle Ertl, Holdingford, 5-5, guard.
108. Annalise Savegeau, Osakis, 5-8, guard. Ertl and Savegeau are teammates on MN Comets Peterson.
109. Jade Schultz, NRHEG, guard. MN Stars 11th Nelson.
110. Courtney Scoblic, Lester Prairie-Holy Trinity.
111. Arianna Karsky, Wheaton, 5-9, post.
112. Carly Sigurdson, BOLD, 5-8, guard. MN Suns 16U Jefferson.
113. Taylor Holicky, Cleveland, center.
114. Audrey Scharmer, Winona, 5-11, wing.
115. Paige Gravenhof, Worthington, guard.
120. Brooke Gould, MACCRAY, 5-5, guard.
121. Olivia Baker, Minnetonka, 6-3, post. North Tartan 16U. North Dakota State. Scored 5 ppg last year and has been hurt this summer, so you'd kinda hafta say that a D1 scholarship is a bit of a surprise.
122. Daitryanna Mixson. 36ers Keys.
123. Jordan Meyer, Anoka, 6-2, post. Metro Stars Black.
124. Angie Wenning, Chaska, 5-8, guard, Fury Gold.
125. Kendall Naatjes, Lakeville North, 5-5, guard.
142. Lexi Hill, Duluth Denfeld, 5-11.
148. Jordan Lloyd, East Grand Forks Sacred Heart, 5-10, forward.
149. Bridget Bednar, Pierz, 5-10.
150. Abby Loken, Houston, center.
151. Jenny Skoog, Menagha, 5-9, small forward-shooting guard.
152. Jada Jones, St. Paul Central, 5-6, guard. Mn Suns 16U Arbogast.
157. Caitlynn Simmer, Rothsay, 5-9.
158. Katie Yoder, Andover, guard.
159. Justine Larson, Cambridge-Isanti, forward.
160. Olivia Fixsen, Mounds View, 5-9, gaurd.
161. Savanna Sullivan, Clinton-Graceville-Beardsley, 5-7, guard.
162. Ann Rysavy, Lyle-Austin Pacelli.
163. Karlee Pfaff, New Ulm Cathedral, 5-9, shooting guard.
164. Alex Funaro, Zimmerman, 5-5, guard.
165. Dakota Ellinghuysen, Peace, 5-9, forward.
166. Mariya Sampson, Champlin Park, post.
167. Jamie Schnell, Edina, 5-10, forward.
168. Elizabeth Scharber, Princeton, 5-11.
169. Lauren Mantueffel, Mayer Lutheran.
170. Ashley Hoene, Montevideo, 5-9, forward
171. Alexandra Peterson, St. Paul Como Park, 6-1, post.
172. Katie Buria, Chisholm, 5-5, guard.
173. Sarah Waldfogel, Blake, forward.
174. Libby Swanhorst, 5-11, forward, Lakeville South. MN Suns 16U Arbogast.
175. Alice Carlson, Cromwell, 5-5, guard.
176. Mikayla Wing, Staples-Motley, 5-5, guard.
177. Stacy Remer, East Grand Forks Sacred Heart, 5-10, forward.
178. Alissa Steueve, Clinton-Graceville-Beardsley, 5-9, center.
179. Megan Kokett, Brandon-Evansville, forward.
180. Kiear Hunter, Mpls. North, forward.
181. Kate Thiese, Martin Coounty West, combo guard.
182. Maya DeLao, Simley, 5-8, guard.
183. Isieoma Odor, Bloomington Kennedy, 6-1, forward.
184. Meg Clark, Kenyon-Wanamingo, guard,
185. Taylor Dagon, Apple Valley, 6-0, center.
186. Hannah Bennett, Marshall, 5-8, guard.
187. Genevae Adkins, Champlin Park, guard.
87. Vanessa Spohn, Albany, 5-6.
88. Anita McCoy, Roseville. MN 36ers.
89. Taylor Karge, Mankato East, 6-0, center. MN Stars 11th Nelson.
90. Grayson Schroeder, 5-6, guards, Lakeville South. MN Suns 16U Arbogast.
91. Amber Bray, Anoka, 6-2, post. MN Suns 16U Arbogast.
92. Samantha Connolly, Burnsville, 5-10, forward. 2014 MN Fury Gold.
93. Brooke Brommenschenkel, Norman County West, 5-6, guard.
94. Gabby Smith, Bloomington Jefferson, forward.
95. Sarah Overbye, Mountain Iron-Buhl, 5-7, shooting guard.96. Hannah Louiselle, Trinity, guard.
97. Jayla Mayes-Jackson, Eden Prairie, 5-8, guard. A transfer, finding her place in EP system.
98. Daron Mainville, Barnum, center. MN Stars 11th Hewitt.
99. Briana Virnig, St. Paul Highland Park, forward-post.
100. Emily Peters, Forest Lake, guard. On MN Fury 2014 Elite roster but would seem unlikely to play yet due to knee injury suffered late in the high school season. New Hampshire.
101. Becca Burns, LeRoy-Ostrander, 5-7, forward.
102. Jaiden Cofield, Cloquet, forward.
103. Erika Rozell, Lakeville North, 5-8, shooting guard.
104. Jen Michalke, LaCrescent, 5-6, guard.102. Jaiden Cofield, Cloquet, forward.
103. Erika Rozell, Lakeville North, 5-8, shooting guard.
105. Tabitha Anderson, Minnesota School for the Deaf, 5-8, forward.
106. Lizzy Swanson, East Central, 5-9, guard.
107. Joelle Ertl, Holdingford, 5-5, guard.
108. Annalise Savegeau, Osakis, 5-8, guard. Ertl and Savegeau are teammates on MN Comets Peterson.
109. Jade Schultz, NRHEG, guard. MN Stars 11th Nelson.
110. Courtney Scoblic, Lester Prairie-Holy Trinity.
111. Arianna Karsky, Wheaton, 5-9, post.
112. Carly Sigurdson, BOLD, 5-8, guard. MN Suns 16U Jefferson.
113. Taylor Holicky, Cleveland, center.
114. Audrey Scharmer, Winona, 5-11, wing.
115. Paige Gravenhof, Worthington, guard.
116. Nicki Ellingson, Spring Grove, 5-9, forward. Fundamentally solid.
117. Kelsey Schlenk, East Grand Forks, guard.
118. Bailee Bartunek, Lake Park-Audubon, center-power forward.
119. Lyric Williams, St. Paul Central, 5-5, guard.120. Brooke Gould, MACCRAY, 5-5, guard.
121. Olivia Baker, Minnetonka, 6-3, post. North Tartan 16U. North Dakota State. Scored 5 ppg last year and has been hurt this summer, so you'd kinda hafta say that a D1 scholarship is a bit of a surprise.
122. Daitryanna Mixson. 36ers Keys.
123. Jordan Meyer, Anoka, 6-2, post. Metro Stars Black.
124. Angie Wenning, Chaska, 5-8, guard, Fury Gold.
125. Kendall Naatjes, Lakeville North, 5-5, guard.
126. Amber Schultz, Martin Luther, 5-9, forward.
127. Katie Waller, LaCrescent, 5-11, center-power forward.
128. Jordyn Foley, White Bear Lake, combo guard.
129. Megan Norby, Nevis, 5-11, guard.
130. Melissa Gehl, Fulda, 5-8, forward.
131. Mikayla Payne, Maranatha, 5-11, power forward.
132. Chyna Stull, Maranatha, 5-11, small forward.
133. Katie Werth, Centennial, 5-7, guard. North Tartan 16U.
134. Christine Piwnica, Southwest Christian (Chaska), guard
135. Camille Scholberg, Ortonville, 6-2, post.
136. Allison Riemersma, Bloomington Jefferson, forward.
137. Kari Skersick, Bagley, 5-11, power forward.
138. Jaelin Beachy, Staples-Motley, 5-10, forward. Metro Stars Black.
127. Katie Waller, LaCrescent, 5-11, center-power forward.
128. Jordyn Foley, White Bear Lake, combo guard.
129. Megan Norby, Nevis, 5-11, guard.
130. Melissa Gehl, Fulda, 5-8, forward.
131. Mikayla Payne, Maranatha, 5-11, power forward.
132. Chyna Stull, Maranatha, 5-11, small forward.
133. Katie Werth, Centennial, 5-7, guard. North Tartan 16U.
134. Christine Piwnica, Southwest Christian (Chaska), guard
135. Camille Scholberg, Ortonville, 6-2, post.
136. Allison Riemersma, Bloomington Jefferson, forward.
137. Kari Skersick, Bagley, 5-11, power forward.
138. Jaelin Beachy, Staples-Motley, 5-10, forward. Metro Stars Black.
139. Olivia Wilder, Chanhassan, 5-7, guard. Fluid, graceful.
140. Mackenzie Dahl, Minnetonka. Going to Sioux Falls (D2).
141. Ashley Bray, Anoka, 6-2, post. MN Suns 16U Arbogast.
140. Mackenzie Dahl, Minnetonka. Going to Sioux Falls (D2).
141. Ashley Bray, Anoka, 6-2, post. MN Suns 16U Arbogast.
143. Rachel Sorenson, Windom, 5-7, shooting guard.
144. Abby Miller, Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted, 5-3, guard.
145. Jordan Weeding, Rockford, 5-10.
146. Brianna Hoffman, Lakeview, 5-11, center.
147. Mackenzie Uter, Howard Lake-Waverly-Winste, 5-6, shooting guard.144. Abby Miller, Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted, 5-3, guard.
145. Jordan Weeding, Rockford, 5-10.
146. Brianna Hoffman, Lakeview, 5-11, center.
148. Jordan Lloyd, East Grand Forks Sacred Heart, 5-10, forward.
149. Bridget Bednar, Pierz, 5-10.
150. Abby Loken, Houston, center.
151. Jenny Skoog, Menagha, 5-9, small forward-shooting guard.
152. Jada Jones, St. Paul Central, 5-6, guard. Mn Suns 16U Arbogast.
153. Jessica Meidl, Lakeville North, 5-8, guard.
154. Katie White, Pequot Lakes, guard.
155. Rachel DeGardner, White Bear Lake, forward.
156. Heather Buerman, Rocori.155. Rachel DeGardner, White Bear Lake, forward.
157. Caitlynn Simmer, Rothsay, 5-9.
158. Katie Yoder, Andover, guard.
159. Justine Larson, Cambridge-Isanti, forward.
160. Olivia Fixsen, Mounds View, 5-9, gaurd.
161. Savanna Sullivan, Clinton-Graceville-Beardsley, 5-7, guard.
162. Ann Rysavy, Lyle-Austin Pacelli.
163. Karlee Pfaff, New Ulm Cathedral, 5-9, shooting guard.
164. Alex Funaro, Zimmerman, 5-5, guard.
165. Dakota Ellinghuysen, Peace, 5-9, forward.
166. Mariya Sampson, Champlin Park, post.
167. Jamie Schnell, Edina, 5-10, forward.
168. Elizabeth Scharber, Princeton, 5-11.
169. Lauren Mantueffel, Mayer Lutheran.
170. Ashley Hoene, Montevideo, 5-9, forward
171. Alexandra Peterson, St. Paul Como Park, 6-1, post.
172. Katie Buria, Chisholm, 5-5, guard.
173. Sarah Waldfogel, Blake, forward.
174. Libby Swanhorst, 5-11, forward, Lakeville South. MN Suns 16U Arbogast.
175. Alice Carlson, Cromwell, 5-5, guard.
176. Mikayla Wing, Staples-Motley, 5-5, guard.
177. Stacy Remer, East Grand Forks Sacred Heart, 5-10, forward.
178. Alissa Steueve, Clinton-Graceville-Beardsley, 5-9, center.
179. Megan Kokett, Brandon-Evansville, forward.
180. Kiear Hunter, Mpls. North, forward.
181. Kate Thiese, Martin Coounty West, combo guard.
182. Maya DeLao, Simley, 5-8, guard.
183. Isieoma Odor, Bloomington Kennedy, 6-1, forward.
184. Meg Clark, Kenyon-Wanamingo, guard,
185. Taylor Dagon, Apple Valley, 6-0, center.
186. Hannah Bennett, Marshall, 5-8, guard.
187. Genevae Adkins, Champlin Park, guard.
188. Jas'Brail Brown, Peace, 5-4, guard.
189. Chelsea Wandersee, Watertown-Mayer, guard.
190. Madi Hahn, Andover, forward.
191. Carly Safranski, Stephen-Argyle, 5-7, guard.
192. Sami Schmidgall, Hancock, 5-8, forward.
Shelby Corbin, Minneota, guard.
Temi Orgnrinde, Park, 5-6, forward.
189. Chelsea Wandersee, Watertown-Mayer, guard.
190. Madi Hahn, Andover, forward.
191. Carly Safranski, Stephen-Argyle, 5-7, guard.
192. Sami Schmidgall, Hancock, 5-8, forward.
193. Courtney Amirayan, Thief River Falls, 5-10, forward.
194. Abby Landgaard, Windom, 5-5, guard.
195. Andrea Zimpel, Isle, guard.
196. Kiana Ruf, Legacy Christian, 5-7, guard.
197. Cassidy Rahman, Moorhead, 5-5, guard.
197. Cassidy Rahman, Moorhead, 5-5, guard.
198. Trisa Hutchinson, Detroit Lakes, forward.
199. Alexandra Washington, Mpls. Edison, 5-7, center.
200. Taylor Zupan, Prior Lake, 5-9, forward.
Watch List
Shelby Corbin, Minneota, guard.
Temi Orgnrinde, Park, 5-6, forward.
Kyann Nyhus, Staples-Motley, 5-4, guard.
Kaitlin Ptacek, Owatonna, forward.
Kyndal Cox, Owatonna, 5-10, forward.
Analea Erickson, Perham.
Kayla Lardy, St. Peter, 6-0, center.
Sydney Rehnelt, Albert Lea, guard.
Shanni Moorse, Apple Valley, forward.
Karina Skov, Alden-Conger, 5-4, guard.
Brooke Reyerson, Alden-Conger, 5-9, forward.
Jennis Scislow, St. Croix Lutheran, 5-4, point guard.
Ashley Maack, Rothsay, 5-5.
Sam Martinson, Fridley, 5-11, power forward.
Cassidy Mercil, Warren-Alvarado-Oslo, 5-5, guard.
Jordyn Strombeck, St. Croix Lutheran, 5-5, guard.
Abbie Olson, Morris-Chokio-Alberta, 5-9, center.
Emily Whitesell, Annandale, forward.
Madison Foresell, Osakis, forward.
Georgie Brattland, International, guard.
Courtney Carr, Irondale, 5-9, guard.
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
Lynx Go for 2 Out of 3
Winning is tough. I mean, winning consistently, over the long term. Just about the time somebody is pronouncing somebody as a dynasty, poof. "Now that you've found it, it's gone. Now that you feel it, you don't. So don't get any big ideas. They're not gonna happen."
So it is with the Minnesota Lynx, I fear. They had their moment, or moments. An unexpected WNBA title in 2011. An unexpected loss in the 2012 finals. "Now that you've found it, it's gone."
And so for 2013. "Don't get any big ideas. They're not gonna happen."
Unless I'm taking the wrong lesson. Now that another title is unexpected, maybe now's the time. But here's the deal. 2 years ago, Lindsay Whalen was the Lynx' MVP. Last year it was Seimone Augustus. If the Lynx are going to contend for, much less win another WNBA title, it will be because it's Maya Moore's turn.
Maya Moore has more skills and more ability and more potential than Whalen or Augustus. Until that potential is realized, the Lynx are not going to repeat. Until all those skills coalesce into production, they'll be a good team, maybe a very good team, but not a great one. And if she waits too long, well, her supporting cast won't be there for her. This is the year, maybe next, for Maya to be the WNBA MVP that she once seemed destined to be--after that it will be Brittney Griner. This is the year for her to stop deferring and take charge.
That is the game plan for another title. Last year's game plan, even 2011's game plan, well, "Now that you've found it, it's gone."
The 1
It all starts with the 1--point guard--Lindsey Whalen. Don't get me wrong, Lindsey is still pretty indispensable to the Lynx' success. Ya gotta have a 1 these days. And Lindsey will certainly remain among top half of WNBA 1's, meaning she's 1 of the top 6, maybe still 1 of the top 4. I mean, last year she was 1 of just 4 1s with better than a 2-to-1 ratio of assists to turnovers.
Lindsey Whalen, MN 5.4 assists/2.1 turnovers = 2. 6 assists/turnover
Sue Bird, SEA 5.3/2.2 = 2.4
Kara Lawson, CT 4/1.8 = 2.2
Lindsey Harding, ATL 4.5/2.1 = 2.1
Only Lawson from this list returns. Bird is out with a knee. Harding has moved to L.A. where Kristi Toliver officially moves over to the 2.
And Becky Hamann (5.3 assists/3.2 turnovers) is out (injured) at San Antone. In the West you've also got Sam Prahalis (4.5/3.0) back in Phoenix and Skylar Diggins newly ensconced in Tulsa.
In the East, Jasmine Thomas (2.8/2/2) moves from Washington to Atlanta, Courtney Vandersloot (4.6/3.3) is back in Chicago, Briann January (3.9/2.4) is back in Indiana, and Cappie Pondexter (4.3/3.1) is back in New York.
And along with leading the 1s in assist/turnover ratio, the fact is that Lindsey is also the only 1 who shot 50 percent from the floor last year. Lawson shot 49 percent, Toliver 49, Bird 46, Hamann 44, Pondexter 43, Harding 42.... All-Star or not, Lindsey has to be the most underrated player in the WNBA.
And yet here I am, trying to underrate her. But the fact is she's 31 years old. Her scoring came down from 14 ppg to 12 last year, her assists from 6 to 5, her shooting percentage from 51 to 50.5. OK, that's splitting hairs. And even if Lindsey continues those trends, scoring 10 points with 4 assists, she'll still be 1 of the top 4 1s in the league.
And most importantly, how does she stack up against key opponents who they're likely to meet in the playoffs? That would be Harding, Prahalis, January and Lawson. And, frankly, while she didn't match up so well with January last August, I see that as a bit of a fluke. Lawson is the only 1 playing for a championship contender who has the potential to outplay Whalen this coming playoff season.
And, yet, overall, a bit of a decline seems inevitable to me.
The 2
Like Whalen, Seimone Augustus is a veteran, which is a double-edged sword. The question is whether she's a veteran in her prime or a veteran entering into a decline phase. Seimone increased her scoring last year from 16 points per game in 2011 to 17, but her shooting dropped from 50 percent to 48. You might infer that she's hit her peak, but it's tough from those numbers to infer that there will be a dropoff. Unlike Whalen, she's on the low side of 30, though at 29 years she's pretty close.
The bigger question would seem to be whether she's got the fire. The Indiana Fever doused her fire a little bit in last year's final, frustrating Seimone to the point that the effort didn't seem to be there the last game or 2. The fact is that Shavonte Zellous, who was only starting because Katie Douglas was hurt, ran rings around Seimone and her teammates.
How will she match up in the West--with, say, Alana Beard or Kristi Toliver of L.A? DeWanna Bonner or Diana Taurasi of Phoenix? Well, we'll have to see how Taurasi comes off of pretty much a lost injury year, and how Toliver does at a (somewhat) new position. Toliver's quickness (like Zellous') and/or Bonner's size figure to give Seimone a workout, while Beard and even Taurasi would seem to be better match-ups.
Here is a position, however, (unlike the 1) where the best of the West are at their best, so Seimone holding form would seem to be a pretty crucial requirement for the Lynx' continued success.
The 3
OK, here she is, Maya Moore, the key to continued success by the Minnesota Lynx. Sure, she's got a great supporting cast. But she's the young 'un of the group, just approaching her 24th birthday. She's the one who is still on the rise. Her scoring jumped from 13 as a rookie in 2011 to 16 last year. Her rebounds and assists each went up 1 and her shooting percentage went from 44 percent to 46. A similar increase this year would get her to 19 ppg, 7 rebounds, 5 assists and 48 percent shooting. Nothing less will be needed to get the Lynx back to the winner's circle, in my opinion.
In the 21st century, she along with Taurasi, Augustus and Brittney Griner have won 2 college player of the year awards, and Connecticut teammates Sue Bird and Tina Charles did the same. Candace Parker probably had the greatest season any of them has had, however, winning college PoY honors and then WNBA MVP honors in the same year (2008). Taurasi and Charles have also won WNBA MVP awards. Maya is next in line, the next player regarded as having that sort of ability. But she's best make it happen now before Brittney Griner passes her by.
But of course she won't match up head-to-head with Griner or Taurasi or Tina Charles or Candace Parker. It seems that most of the top players are guards and centers. All the more reason why Maya should dominate most every night. Is Maya Moore going to be the best forward in the West, maybe in the WNBA, or isn't she? A title hinges on the answer to that question.
The 4
Rebekah Brunson is 31.5 years old. Her scoring the past 3 years was 11 points, then 10, then 11. Her rebounds were 10, then 9, and 9, and her shooting percentage was just 43, then 51, and 50.5 percent. In 2 pre-season games so far this year, she is at 10 and 8 and 47 percent in 5 fewer minutes than she played during the 2013 season. Can she keep it up? I think yes, but I also think that Devereaux Peters will be taking a few more minutes. Last year Brunson got 27, Peters 14. This year it will be more like 24 and 17. Peters shot 56 percent (5.5 percent better than Brunson, but Brunson had a rebound every 3 minutes versus Peters' 3.7 minutes). Still, here is 1 position where the next generation is pretty much ready to go.
For whatever reason, it looks like Brunson will match up with much tougher opponents than Maya Moore at the smaller forward position. In the West, Nneka Ogwumike of L.A. is the defending Rookie of the Year. As a rookie she scored 14 ppg on 53.5 percent shooting, compared with Moore's 13 and 44 as Rookie of the Year the previous year. Elsewhere there's Tamika Catchings of Indiana, playoff MVP a year ago, who lit up the Lynx with 22 ppg in the finals.
While Moore should dominate, Brunson will be successful if she holds her own against some of the other WNBA title contenders.
Then There's the 5 Spot
Taj has moved on and Shaq McCarville is back! Great things are expected of McCarville, who is after all a local legend after her time at the U of M with Lindsey Whalen during the glory years. But the fact is McCarville is just 6 months younger than Whalen--31.5 years old--and carrying around 215 pounds on her 6-2 frame can't have been an easy thing all these years. The fact is that Janel has taken the past 2 years off from WNBA play, though it's true that she played overseas in the winter. So what should one expect of Janel McCarville in 2013?
All we've really got to go by is 1 pre-season game. She played 1 and sat 1. She played 21 minutes, scored 4 points on 33 percent shooting, and had 1 (count 'em, 1) rebound, 1 assist and 2 steals.
If Janel doesn't work out? Amber Harris has scored 3.4 ppg on 40 percent shooting with 2 rebounds in 10 minutes of play over 2 years. Deveraux Peters scored 5.3 ppg on 56 percent shooting with 4 rebounds in 14 minutes as a rookie, but she is only 6-foot-2. Well, that's the same as Taj and Shaq, but of course she is 50 pounds lighter than Shaq. Brunson, 6-2 and 20 pounds heavier than Peters, could be a better back-up in the post with Peters moving in at the 4.
Frankly, this looks like a problem.
The Bench
We've already talked about Peters, who will be a solid WNBA player some day...maybe sooner than later.
Then there's Monica Wright, who is now a solid WNBA player. A 5-10 swing player, Monica has scored 8.5 ppg on 40 percent shooting over 3 years with the Lynx. Last year she scored 8.6 ppg on 46 percent shooting in 19 minutes per game. She is ready and will now take over the Candace Wiggins role as the #1 perimeter sub.
Amber Harris will get some minutes.
Then there are the rookies Rachel Jarry, Lindsay Moore and Sugar Rodgers. Jarry, a 21-year old, 6-1, forward from Down Under, can play. She scored 15 points in 2 pre-season games on 4-of-7 shooting including 1-of-2 3s and 6-of-7 FT. She had 8 rebounds and 3 assists, but 5 turnovers. Moore and/or Rodgers will play as much as needed, and no more, but some minutes will be needed.
Two years ago the Lynx were considered to have a great bench as the 2nd 5 scored 22.5 ppg in 60 minutes. Last year depth became an issue as Wiggins, in particular, struggled. Now the Lynx are not a deep team, having just 2 proven producers off the bench. Harris and/or Jarry are going to get a shot at making a contribution and, if they're not ready, again, that's a problem.
The Sum of the Parts
A basketball team is, of course, not just 5 individuals like a golf or gymnastics team. Chemistry, teamwork, whatever you want to call it, it is vital. And over the past 2 years, the Indiana series to the contrary notwithstanding, the Lynx have had it. Coach Cheryl Reeve gets a lot of the credit for that, but so does Lindsay Whalen. And I think that Augustus and Brunson and Taj and Maya have all proven themselves to be good teammates and good team players.
Can they keep it up as people's roles change a little bit. This year's team will by necessity be more Maya and more Monica and a little bit less of everybody else. Can it make the transition?
So that's what's needed--a transition. The fact is they don't actually have to improve to contend for and even to win the WNBA title. They were 27-7 2 years ago when they won the WNBA title. They were 27-7 last year when they finished 2nd. 27-7 would probably get 'em the home court advantage throughout, again. Heck, 22 wins would have gotten 'em the home court advantage throughout in 2011. Last year 25 and 26 would have gotten 'em the home court in the division and in the finals. As a generalization, 20 wins will get you into the finals.
So improvement is not needed. Just a smooth transition to the Maya Moore era. Say, 24-10, which might get the home court throughout, certainly in the 1st round. But a little bit of a fall-off should be expected while transitioning, and because the competition is going to be better.
The Competition
In the West, that would be L.A. and Phoenix. San Antonio and Seattle will be down, with Becky Hammon and Sue Bird out. Tulsa will be competitive for a change, but nowhere near a contender.
In L.A. the frontcourt of Candace Parker and Nneka Ogwumike is intimidating enough, but now there's Lindsay Harding in the backcourt and Kristi Toliver running free at the 2. The question is whether Parker will be an MVP candidate again or merely an All-Star. As a rookie she scored 18.5 ppg on 52 percent shooting, and made 42 percent of her 3s. She scored 21 ppg 2 years later, but she has never shot as well as her rookie year since. Last year she scored her 2nd lowest total (17.4 ppg) on her worst shooting percentage (.481). The Sparks need more from a player with her jaw-dropping athleticism.
In Phoenix, it's just a question of when it all jells. Griner in the post. Taurasi back from injury, 6-4 DeWana Bonner, 6-2 Candace Dupree, 6-1 Penny Taylor.... But it certainly didn't jell in time for the opener, a 102-80 loss to Chicago as Sky rookie Elena Della Donna outplayed Griner by a wide margin, Griner's 2 dunks to the contrary. But Phoenix seems a little weak at the all-important 1 with 2nd year Sam Prahalis. I mean, I love Sam Prahalis but she's going to get better than 4.5 assists and 3 turnovers, and 35 percent shooting, it's just a question of when.
In the East, Connecticut and Indiana are the teams to beat. Connecticut has the WNBA's other great post in Tina Charles, the 2012 MVP, plus Kara Lawson, but they don't have a lot of help. Indiana has the WNBA playoff MVP Tamika Catchings but, frankly, I consider their title to be a fluke, one that will not be repeated.
In short, whoever makes it out of the West will win it all. Of course, I would have said--I did say--the same thing last year.
The Prediction--Who's in the Playoffs
West
Los Angeles 25-9
Minnesota 24-10
Phoenix 23-11
San Antonio 14-20
East
Connecticut 23-11
Indiana 21-13
Chicago 20-14
Atlanta 15-19
Playoffs
L.A. 2 San Antonio 0
Minnesota 2 Phoenix 1
Connecticut 2 Atlanta 1
Chicago 2 Indiana 1
L.A. 2 Minnesota 1
Chicago 2 Connecticut 1
L.A. 3 Chicago 0
So it is with the Minnesota Lynx, I fear. They had their moment, or moments. An unexpected WNBA title in 2011. An unexpected loss in the 2012 finals. "Now that you've found it, it's gone."
And so for 2013. "Don't get any big ideas. They're not gonna happen."
Unless I'm taking the wrong lesson. Now that another title is unexpected, maybe now's the time. But here's the deal. 2 years ago, Lindsay Whalen was the Lynx' MVP. Last year it was Seimone Augustus. If the Lynx are going to contend for, much less win another WNBA title, it will be because it's Maya Moore's turn.
Maya Moore has more skills and more ability and more potential than Whalen or Augustus. Until that potential is realized, the Lynx are not going to repeat. Until all those skills coalesce into production, they'll be a good team, maybe a very good team, but not a great one. And if she waits too long, well, her supporting cast won't be there for her. This is the year, maybe next, for Maya to be the WNBA MVP that she once seemed destined to be--after that it will be Brittney Griner. This is the year for her to stop deferring and take charge.
That is the game plan for another title. Last year's game plan, even 2011's game plan, well, "Now that you've found it, it's gone."
The 1
It all starts with the 1--point guard--Lindsey Whalen. Don't get me wrong, Lindsey is still pretty indispensable to the Lynx' success. Ya gotta have a 1 these days. And Lindsey will certainly remain among top half of WNBA 1's, meaning she's 1 of the top 6, maybe still 1 of the top 4. I mean, last year she was 1 of just 4 1s with better than a 2-to-1 ratio of assists to turnovers.
Lindsey Whalen, MN 5.4 assists/2.1 turnovers = 2. 6 assists/turnover
Sue Bird, SEA 5.3/2.2 = 2.4
Kara Lawson, CT 4/1.8 = 2.2
Lindsey Harding, ATL 4.5/2.1 = 2.1
Only Lawson from this list returns. Bird is out with a knee. Harding has moved to L.A. where Kristi Toliver officially moves over to the 2.
And Becky Hamann (5.3 assists/3.2 turnovers) is out (injured) at San Antone. In the West you've also got Sam Prahalis (4.5/3.0) back in Phoenix and Skylar Diggins newly ensconced in Tulsa.
In the East, Jasmine Thomas (2.8/2/2) moves from Washington to Atlanta, Courtney Vandersloot (4.6/3.3) is back in Chicago, Briann January (3.9/2.4) is back in Indiana, and Cappie Pondexter (4.3/3.1) is back in New York.
And along with leading the 1s in assist/turnover ratio, the fact is that Lindsey is also the only 1 who shot 50 percent from the floor last year. Lawson shot 49 percent, Toliver 49, Bird 46, Hamann 44, Pondexter 43, Harding 42.... All-Star or not, Lindsey has to be the most underrated player in the WNBA.
And yet here I am, trying to underrate her. But the fact is she's 31 years old. Her scoring came down from 14 ppg to 12 last year, her assists from 6 to 5, her shooting percentage from 51 to 50.5. OK, that's splitting hairs. And even if Lindsey continues those trends, scoring 10 points with 4 assists, she'll still be 1 of the top 4 1s in the league.
And most importantly, how does she stack up against key opponents who they're likely to meet in the playoffs? That would be Harding, Prahalis, January and Lawson. And, frankly, while she didn't match up so well with January last August, I see that as a bit of a fluke. Lawson is the only 1 playing for a championship contender who has the potential to outplay Whalen this coming playoff season.
And, yet, overall, a bit of a decline seems inevitable to me.
The 2
Like Whalen, Seimone Augustus is a veteran, which is a double-edged sword. The question is whether she's a veteran in her prime or a veteran entering into a decline phase. Seimone increased her scoring last year from 16 points per game in 2011 to 17, but her shooting dropped from 50 percent to 48. You might infer that she's hit her peak, but it's tough from those numbers to infer that there will be a dropoff. Unlike Whalen, she's on the low side of 30, though at 29 years she's pretty close.
The bigger question would seem to be whether she's got the fire. The Indiana Fever doused her fire a little bit in last year's final, frustrating Seimone to the point that the effort didn't seem to be there the last game or 2. The fact is that Shavonte Zellous, who was only starting because Katie Douglas was hurt, ran rings around Seimone and her teammates.
How will she match up in the West--with, say, Alana Beard or Kristi Toliver of L.A? DeWanna Bonner or Diana Taurasi of Phoenix? Well, we'll have to see how Taurasi comes off of pretty much a lost injury year, and how Toliver does at a (somewhat) new position. Toliver's quickness (like Zellous') and/or Bonner's size figure to give Seimone a workout, while Beard and even Taurasi would seem to be better match-ups.
Here is a position, however, (unlike the 1) where the best of the West are at their best, so Seimone holding form would seem to be a pretty crucial requirement for the Lynx' continued success.
The 3
OK, here she is, Maya Moore, the key to continued success by the Minnesota Lynx. Sure, she's got a great supporting cast. But she's the young 'un of the group, just approaching her 24th birthday. She's the one who is still on the rise. Her scoring jumped from 13 as a rookie in 2011 to 16 last year. Her rebounds and assists each went up 1 and her shooting percentage went from 44 percent to 46. A similar increase this year would get her to 19 ppg, 7 rebounds, 5 assists and 48 percent shooting. Nothing less will be needed to get the Lynx back to the winner's circle, in my opinion.
In the 21st century, she along with Taurasi, Augustus and Brittney Griner have won 2 college player of the year awards, and Connecticut teammates Sue Bird and Tina Charles did the same. Candace Parker probably had the greatest season any of them has had, however, winning college PoY honors and then WNBA MVP honors in the same year (2008). Taurasi and Charles have also won WNBA MVP awards. Maya is next in line, the next player regarded as having that sort of ability. But she's best make it happen now before Brittney Griner passes her by.
But of course she won't match up head-to-head with Griner or Taurasi or Tina Charles or Candace Parker. It seems that most of the top players are guards and centers. All the more reason why Maya should dominate most every night. Is Maya Moore going to be the best forward in the West, maybe in the WNBA, or isn't she? A title hinges on the answer to that question.
The 4
Rebekah Brunson is 31.5 years old. Her scoring the past 3 years was 11 points, then 10, then 11. Her rebounds were 10, then 9, and 9, and her shooting percentage was just 43, then 51, and 50.5 percent. In 2 pre-season games so far this year, she is at 10 and 8 and 47 percent in 5 fewer minutes than she played during the 2013 season. Can she keep it up? I think yes, but I also think that Devereaux Peters will be taking a few more minutes. Last year Brunson got 27, Peters 14. This year it will be more like 24 and 17. Peters shot 56 percent (5.5 percent better than Brunson, but Brunson had a rebound every 3 minutes versus Peters' 3.7 minutes). Still, here is 1 position where the next generation is pretty much ready to go.
For whatever reason, it looks like Brunson will match up with much tougher opponents than Maya Moore at the smaller forward position. In the West, Nneka Ogwumike of L.A. is the defending Rookie of the Year. As a rookie she scored 14 ppg on 53.5 percent shooting, compared with Moore's 13 and 44 as Rookie of the Year the previous year. Elsewhere there's Tamika Catchings of Indiana, playoff MVP a year ago, who lit up the Lynx with 22 ppg in the finals.
While Moore should dominate, Brunson will be successful if she holds her own against some of the other WNBA title contenders.
Then There's the 5 Spot
Taj has moved on and Shaq McCarville is back! Great things are expected of McCarville, who is after all a local legend after her time at the U of M with Lindsey Whalen during the glory years. But the fact is McCarville is just 6 months younger than Whalen--31.5 years old--and carrying around 215 pounds on her 6-2 frame can't have been an easy thing all these years. The fact is that Janel has taken the past 2 years off from WNBA play, though it's true that she played overseas in the winter. So what should one expect of Janel McCarville in 2013?
All we've really got to go by is 1 pre-season game. She played 1 and sat 1. She played 21 minutes, scored 4 points on 33 percent shooting, and had 1 (count 'em, 1) rebound, 1 assist and 2 steals.
If Janel doesn't work out? Amber Harris has scored 3.4 ppg on 40 percent shooting with 2 rebounds in 10 minutes of play over 2 years. Deveraux Peters scored 5.3 ppg on 56 percent shooting with 4 rebounds in 14 minutes as a rookie, but she is only 6-foot-2. Well, that's the same as Taj and Shaq, but of course she is 50 pounds lighter than Shaq. Brunson, 6-2 and 20 pounds heavier than Peters, could be a better back-up in the post with Peters moving in at the 4.
Frankly, this looks like a problem.
The Bench
We've already talked about Peters, who will be a solid WNBA player some day...maybe sooner than later.
Then there's Monica Wright, who is now a solid WNBA player. A 5-10 swing player, Monica has scored 8.5 ppg on 40 percent shooting over 3 years with the Lynx. Last year she scored 8.6 ppg on 46 percent shooting in 19 minutes per game. She is ready and will now take over the Candace Wiggins role as the #1 perimeter sub.
Amber Harris will get some minutes.
Then there are the rookies Rachel Jarry, Lindsay Moore and Sugar Rodgers. Jarry, a 21-year old, 6-1, forward from Down Under, can play. She scored 15 points in 2 pre-season games on 4-of-7 shooting including 1-of-2 3s and 6-of-7 FT. She had 8 rebounds and 3 assists, but 5 turnovers. Moore and/or Rodgers will play as much as needed, and no more, but some minutes will be needed.
Two years ago the Lynx were considered to have a great bench as the 2nd 5 scored 22.5 ppg in 60 minutes. Last year depth became an issue as Wiggins, in particular, struggled. Now the Lynx are not a deep team, having just 2 proven producers off the bench. Harris and/or Jarry are going to get a shot at making a contribution and, if they're not ready, again, that's a problem.
The Sum of the Parts
A basketball team is, of course, not just 5 individuals like a golf or gymnastics team. Chemistry, teamwork, whatever you want to call it, it is vital. And over the past 2 years, the Indiana series to the contrary notwithstanding, the Lynx have had it. Coach Cheryl Reeve gets a lot of the credit for that, but so does Lindsay Whalen. And I think that Augustus and Brunson and Taj and Maya have all proven themselves to be good teammates and good team players.
Can they keep it up as people's roles change a little bit. This year's team will by necessity be more Maya and more Monica and a little bit less of everybody else. Can it make the transition?
So that's what's needed--a transition. The fact is they don't actually have to improve to contend for and even to win the WNBA title. They were 27-7 2 years ago when they won the WNBA title. They were 27-7 last year when they finished 2nd. 27-7 would probably get 'em the home court advantage throughout, again. Heck, 22 wins would have gotten 'em the home court advantage throughout in 2011. Last year 25 and 26 would have gotten 'em the home court in the division and in the finals. As a generalization, 20 wins will get you into the finals.
So improvement is not needed. Just a smooth transition to the Maya Moore era. Say, 24-10, which might get the home court throughout, certainly in the 1st round. But a little bit of a fall-off should be expected while transitioning, and because the competition is going to be better.
The Competition
In the West, that would be L.A. and Phoenix. San Antonio and Seattle will be down, with Becky Hammon and Sue Bird out. Tulsa will be competitive for a change, but nowhere near a contender.
In L.A. the frontcourt of Candace Parker and Nneka Ogwumike is intimidating enough, but now there's Lindsay Harding in the backcourt and Kristi Toliver running free at the 2. The question is whether Parker will be an MVP candidate again or merely an All-Star. As a rookie she scored 18.5 ppg on 52 percent shooting, and made 42 percent of her 3s. She scored 21 ppg 2 years later, but she has never shot as well as her rookie year since. Last year she scored her 2nd lowest total (17.4 ppg) on her worst shooting percentage (.481). The Sparks need more from a player with her jaw-dropping athleticism.
In Phoenix, it's just a question of when it all jells. Griner in the post. Taurasi back from injury, 6-4 DeWana Bonner, 6-2 Candace Dupree, 6-1 Penny Taylor.... But it certainly didn't jell in time for the opener, a 102-80 loss to Chicago as Sky rookie Elena Della Donna outplayed Griner by a wide margin, Griner's 2 dunks to the contrary. But Phoenix seems a little weak at the all-important 1 with 2nd year Sam Prahalis. I mean, I love Sam Prahalis but she's going to get better than 4.5 assists and 3 turnovers, and 35 percent shooting, it's just a question of when.
In the East, Connecticut and Indiana are the teams to beat. Connecticut has the WNBA's other great post in Tina Charles, the 2012 MVP, plus Kara Lawson, but they don't have a lot of help. Indiana has the WNBA playoff MVP Tamika Catchings but, frankly, I consider their title to be a fluke, one that will not be repeated.
In short, whoever makes it out of the West will win it all. Of course, I would have said--I did say--the same thing last year.
The Prediction--Who's in the Playoffs
West
Los Angeles 25-9
Minnesota 24-10
Phoenix 23-11
San Antonio 14-20
East
Connecticut 23-11
Indiana 21-13
Chicago 20-14
Atlanta 15-19
Playoffs
L.A. 2 San Antonio 0
Minnesota 2 Phoenix 1
Connecticut 2 Atlanta 1
Chicago 2 Indiana 1
L.A. 2 Minnesota 1
Chicago 2 Connecticut 1
L.A. 3 Chicago 0
Saturday, May 25, 2013
Girls AAU, Part 2--the 14s (14 minute halves)
The 2017s and younger play 14 minute halves. Here's what I saw among the 2017s and 2018s. North Tartan won them both. The 2017s edged MN Fury 2017 Blue 45-42 for the title, while the 2018s defeated 43 Hoops 44-35.
2017s
Tartan, led by guards Danielle Schaub, Deanna Winston Temi Carda and Ann Simonet, had a whole series of competitive games, beating MN Suns Kolden 58-45 in the quarter-finals, Thunderbirds 53-32 in the semis in a game that was closer than it sounds, and finally Fury 45-42 in the final.
Tartan also took 3rd place as Tartan West defeated Midtown Monarchs 47-38, lost to Fury 54-50 and defeated the Thunderbirds 50-47. I think all of this represents more competitive games than in many of the classes.
Players who stood out include:
1. As already mentioned, the Tartan guards. I said before relative to another age group, that maybe the Tartan system makes their guards look good, or maybe it's the Tartan guards making the coaches and their system look good. But across many age groups--and especially among the younger ones--Tartan looked more like a high school team, well-drilled and stressing ball movement and teamwork, where many of these teams look more like all-star teams, lacking in the cohesion that Tartan seems to achieve.
In this case, you've got 4 outstanding guards. Schaub and Winston are just 5-4ish but super-quick and use that to make life miserable for opposing ball-handlers. Schaub is more of an offensive threat right now, scoring 25 points in the 3 games I saw to Winston's 11. Schaub had 10 steals in the 3 games. Carda is a little bigger (5-6) and, whereas Schaub and Winston are quick enough to run away from contact, Carda is tough enough to absorb it and keep on going. Simonet is also 5-6, and led Tartan with 12 points in the semi and scored 19 points in the 3 games.
2. Gabi Haack, 5-8 guard from Elk River, led Tartan West Steuber to 2nd place in the Qualifier and 3rd in the tournament. She had 20 points, 4 boards and 3 steals vs. the Tartan regulars in the Qualifier final, and led all Qualifier scorers with 52 points.
3. Anissa Krauss, 5-10, guard, Tartan and Azaria Reed, 5-9, forward, Osseo, both play for the Thunderbirds. The T-Birds put the most physically gifted starting 5 out there of any team. Strong, quick. But teamwork was somewhat lacking. Krauss gets to the rim but I saw her shoot 4-for-19 in 1-and-three-quarters games. Reed overpowers people inside, though at 5-9 it remains to be seen whether she can do that at the next level.
4. Bailey Helgren, Metro Stars Black and Edina, is huge (6-foot-4) but mobile and athletic. I saw her finish in transition, I saw her shoot the 3. Sky's the limit.
5. There were a whole bunch of good posts, the best of whom did not play in the title game. Along with Helgren, there's Miranda Crenshaw of Midtown Monarchs, Danneka Voegeli of Winona and Tartan Silver, and Amara Karypis of the Thunderbirds.
6. The champions from Tartan played Mikayla Hayes (Park Center) and Erin Navrail (Albany) in the post. Compared to the posts mentioned above, these are thinner girls who may not be posts at the next level. Both are in fact listed as forwards on the Tartan roster but, trust me, they were in the post for Tartan. Navratil led Tartan in the Qualifier final with 14 points and added 5 boards. In the final final she scored just 2 points but had 7 boards. Hayes had 11 points and 14 boards in those 2 games plus 6 points in the semi-final.
7. Kirstin Klitzke, Metro Stars Black, and Claire Killian, Fury Dahled, both from Watertown-Mayer. Klitzke moved without the ball, found seams in the defense, received some nice passes (mostly from Bailey Helgren) and finished inside. Killian did it all in the final. Well, she scored just 4 points but added 8 boards and 3 assists.
8. Lexie Jones of MN 36ers was #4 in the Qualifier with 37 points, while Maizie Diehl of MN Stars Amundson and New Prague was #5 with 33 points.
9. Noelle Tomes of Tartan Silver and Lake Middle School in Woodbury is small even by Schaub-Winston standards and got bounced around a bunch vs. Midtown Monarchs. But she is quick and tough and led all scorers with 14 points.
10. Monarchs guards Unique Longs (Cooper) and Audrey Gadison (Benilde) play like veterans. In fact, I believe Gadison is a 2018 and playing up at this level.
2018
The top 4 seeds all advanced to the semis where Tartan beat Fury 32-26 and 43 Hoops beat NC Heat 49-40. In the final Tartan beat 43 Hoops 44-35. Once again it was Tartan's guards--and specifically, its point guards Maesyn Thiesen, Sam Haiby and Erika Hicks--leading the way and making Tartan look like a very well-oiled machine. I say that recognizing that the 3 scored just 16 points in the 2 games, and that Tartan had 17 turnovers in the final vs. just 10 for 43 Hoops.
But in the semi Tartan got 21 offensive rebounds to just 5 for Fury, while in the 2nd game Tartan out-shot 43 Hoops 38 percent to 29 percent. Tartan's motion was better, and good things happen when you keep moving, with or without the ball.
Tartan defeated 43 Hoops in the Qualifier final as well, 44-38.
1. Chrissy Carr, 43 Hoops, big forward, led all scorers in the final with 14 points. Once her team fell behind she started to put the ball on the floor and go to the rim, and nobody could stop her. She is coach Chris Carr's daughter.
2. Tartan's guards Thiesen, Haiby and Hicks. Didn't score much on Sunday, but Haiby was the #4 scorer in the Qualifier.
3. Kayla Mershon, 6-1, and Sydney Stapleton, 5-8, Tartan forwards. #3 and #2 scorers both in the qualifier and in the final. Mershon at 6-1 has everybody oohing and aahing and why not, but right now Stapleton is the slightly larger scoring threat. Stapleton scored 12 in the final including a pair of 3s, while Mershon had 8 plus 5 boards and 2 blocks.
4. Alexis Mathews of Centennial and N.M. Aftershock DuBois led all scorers in the qualifier with 23.
5. Zoe Hardwick, 43 Hoops and Eden Prairie, post. Scored 8 points with 11 boards in the Qualifier final, and was tied for #4 scorer in the Qualifier overall. Was held to just 1 point in the final final but with 7 boards.
7. Katey Brattland, guard; Megan Walstad, forward; Mariah Alipate, power forward-center; all 43 Hoops. Alipate scored 8 points with 6 boards in the Qualifier final; Brattland was the #6 scorer (tied) in the Qualifier overall; and Brattland and Walstad were next after Carr with 6 points each in the final final.
8. Fury's Elizabeth Edinger, Kali Jo Grimm and Lynnea Helman, all forwards. Were among the top 20 Qualifier scorers, and pushed the eventual champions from Tartan all the way in the semi.
9. Madi Kerzman, Tartan and Becker, 6-1, post. Another big Tartan body and a presence inside.
10. Sophia Findell, Bailey Becker, Sidney Zieske and Whitney Dold, next best scorers in the Qualifier with 18 points apiece.
2019 and 2020
I do not rate the 2019s and 2020s and did not see any of their games.
2017 and 2018 All-Stars
Here I am restricting myself to girls I saw play over the weekend.
C- Bailey Helgren, Metro Stars 2017 Black and Edina
PF- Chrissy Carr, 43 Hoops 2018 and Eden Prairie
SF- Sydney Stapleton, Tartan 2018 and Centennial
PG- Danielle Schaub, Tartan 2017 and Park Center
SG- Temi Carda, Tartan 2017 and Lakeville North
2nd Team
C- Miranda Crenshaw, Midtown Monarchs and Eastview
PF- Kayla Mershon, Tartan 2018 and Minnetonka
SF- Megan Walstad, 43 Hoops 2018 and Apple Valley (?)
PG- Gabi Haack, Tartan 2017 West and Elk River
SG- Anissa Krausse, Thunderbirds 2017 and Tartan
3rd Team
C- Danneka Voegeli, Fury 2017 Gold and Winona
PF- Azaria Reed, Thunderbirds 2018 and Osseo
SF- Kali Jo Grimm, Fury 2018 and Norwood-Young America
PG- Unique Longs, Midtown Monarchs and Cooper
SG- Karen Klitzke, Fury 2017 and Watertown-Mayer
2017s
Tartan, led by guards Danielle Schaub, Deanna Winston Temi Carda and Ann Simonet, had a whole series of competitive games, beating MN Suns Kolden 58-45 in the quarter-finals, Thunderbirds 53-32 in the semis in a game that was closer than it sounds, and finally Fury 45-42 in the final.
Tartan also took 3rd place as Tartan West defeated Midtown Monarchs 47-38, lost to Fury 54-50 and defeated the Thunderbirds 50-47. I think all of this represents more competitive games than in many of the classes.
Players who stood out include:
1. As already mentioned, the Tartan guards. I said before relative to another age group, that maybe the Tartan system makes their guards look good, or maybe it's the Tartan guards making the coaches and their system look good. But across many age groups--and especially among the younger ones--Tartan looked more like a high school team, well-drilled and stressing ball movement and teamwork, where many of these teams look more like all-star teams, lacking in the cohesion that Tartan seems to achieve.
In this case, you've got 4 outstanding guards. Schaub and Winston are just 5-4ish but super-quick and use that to make life miserable for opposing ball-handlers. Schaub is more of an offensive threat right now, scoring 25 points in the 3 games I saw to Winston's 11. Schaub had 10 steals in the 3 games. Carda is a little bigger (5-6) and, whereas Schaub and Winston are quick enough to run away from contact, Carda is tough enough to absorb it and keep on going. Simonet is also 5-6, and led Tartan with 12 points in the semi and scored 19 points in the 3 games.
2. Gabi Haack, 5-8 guard from Elk River, led Tartan West Steuber to 2nd place in the Qualifier and 3rd in the tournament. She had 20 points, 4 boards and 3 steals vs. the Tartan regulars in the Qualifier final, and led all Qualifier scorers with 52 points.
3. Anissa Krauss, 5-10, guard, Tartan and Azaria Reed, 5-9, forward, Osseo, both play for the Thunderbirds. The T-Birds put the most physically gifted starting 5 out there of any team. Strong, quick. But teamwork was somewhat lacking. Krauss gets to the rim but I saw her shoot 4-for-19 in 1-and-three-quarters games. Reed overpowers people inside, though at 5-9 it remains to be seen whether she can do that at the next level.
4. Bailey Helgren, Metro Stars Black and Edina, is huge (6-foot-4) but mobile and athletic. I saw her finish in transition, I saw her shoot the 3. Sky's the limit.
5. There were a whole bunch of good posts, the best of whom did not play in the title game. Along with Helgren, there's Miranda Crenshaw of Midtown Monarchs, Danneka Voegeli of Winona and Tartan Silver, and Amara Karypis of the Thunderbirds.
6. The champions from Tartan played Mikayla Hayes (Park Center) and Erin Navrail (Albany) in the post. Compared to the posts mentioned above, these are thinner girls who may not be posts at the next level. Both are in fact listed as forwards on the Tartan roster but, trust me, they were in the post for Tartan. Navratil led Tartan in the Qualifier final with 14 points and added 5 boards. In the final final she scored just 2 points but had 7 boards. Hayes had 11 points and 14 boards in those 2 games plus 6 points in the semi-final.
7. Kirstin Klitzke, Metro Stars Black, and Claire Killian, Fury Dahled, both from Watertown-Mayer. Klitzke moved without the ball, found seams in the defense, received some nice passes (mostly from Bailey Helgren) and finished inside. Killian did it all in the final. Well, she scored just 4 points but added 8 boards and 3 assists.
8. Lexie Jones of MN 36ers was #4 in the Qualifier with 37 points, while Maizie Diehl of MN Stars Amundson and New Prague was #5 with 33 points.
9. Noelle Tomes of Tartan Silver and Lake Middle School in Woodbury is small even by Schaub-Winston standards and got bounced around a bunch vs. Midtown Monarchs. But she is quick and tough and led all scorers with 14 points.
10. Monarchs guards Unique Longs (Cooper) and Audrey Gadison (Benilde) play like veterans. In fact, I believe Gadison is a 2018 and playing up at this level.
2018
The top 4 seeds all advanced to the semis where Tartan beat Fury 32-26 and 43 Hoops beat NC Heat 49-40. In the final Tartan beat 43 Hoops 44-35. Once again it was Tartan's guards--and specifically, its point guards Maesyn Thiesen, Sam Haiby and Erika Hicks--leading the way and making Tartan look like a very well-oiled machine. I say that recognizing that the 3 scored just 16 points in the 2 games, and that Tartan had 17 turnovers in the final vs. just 10 for 43 Hoops.
But in the semi Tartan got 21 offensive rebounds to just 5 for Fury, while in the 2nd game Tartan out-shot 43 Hoops 38 percent to 29 percent. Tartan's motion was better, and good things happen when you keep moving, with or without the ball.
Tartan defeated 43 Hoops in the Qualifier final as well, 44-38.
1. Chrissy Carr, 43 Hoops, big forward, led all scorers in the final with 14 points. Once her team fell behind she started to put the ball on the floor and go to the rim, and nobody could stop her. She is coach Chris Carr's daughter.
2. Tartan's guards Thiesen, Haiby and Hicks. Didn't score much on Sunday, but Haiby was the #4 scorer in the Qualifier.
3. Kayla Mershon, 6-1, and Sydney Stapleton, 5-8, Tartan forwards. #3 and #2 scorers both in the qualifier and in the final. Mershon at 6-1 has everybody oohing and aahing and why not, but right now Stapleton is the slightly larger scoring threat. Stapleton scored 12 in the final including a pair of 3s, while Mershon had 8 plus 5 boards and 2 blocks.
4. Alexis Mathews of Centennial and N.M. Aftershock DuBois led all scorers in the qualifier with 23.
5. Zoe Hardwick, 43 Hoops and Eden Prairie, post. Scored 8 points with 11 boards in the Qualifier final, and was tied for #4 scorer in the Qualifier overall. Was held to just 1 point in the final final but with 7 boards.
7. Katey Brattland, guard; Megan Walstad, forward; Mariah Alipate, power forward-center; all 43 Hoops. Alipate scored 8 points with 6 boards in the Qualifier final; Brattland was the #6 scorer (tied) in the Qualifier overall; and Brattland and Walstad were next after Carr with 6 points each in the final final.
8. Fury's Elizabeth Edinger, Kali Jo Grimm and Lynnea Helman, all forwards. Were among the top 20 Qualifier scorers, and pushed the eventual champions from Tartan all the way in the semi.
9. Madi Kerzman, Tartan and Becker, 6-1, post. Another big Tartan body and a presence inside.
10. Sophia Findell, Bailey Becker, Sidney Zieske and Whitney Dold, next best scorers in the Qualifier with 18 points apiece.
2019 and 2020
I do not rate the 2019s and 2020s and did not see any of their games.
2017 and 2018 All-Stars
Here I am restricting myself to girls I saw play over the weekend.
C- Bailey Helgren, Metro Stars 2017 Black and Edina
PF- Chrissy Carr, 43 Hoops 2018 and Eden Prairie
SF- Sydney Stapleton, Tartan 2018 and Centennial
PG- Danielle Schaub, Tartan 2017 and Park Center
SG- Temi Carda, Tartan 2017 and Lakeville North
2nd Team
C- Miranda Crenshaw, Midtown Monarchs and Eastview
PF- Kayla Mershon, Tartan 2018 and Minnetonka
SF- Megan Walstad, 43 Hoops 2018 and Apple Valley (?)
PG- Gabi Haack, Tartan 2017 West and Elk River
SG- Anissa Krausse, Thunderbirds 2017 and Tartan
3rd Team
C- Danneka Voegeli, Fury 2017 Gold and Winona
PF- Azaria Reed, Thunderbirds 2018 and Osseo
SF- Kali Jo Grimm, Fury 2018 and Norwood-Young America
PG- Unique Longs, Midtown Monarchs and Cooper
SG- Karen Klitzke, Fury 2017 and Watertown-Mayer
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