MAPLE GROVE 38, MINNETONKA 25
Frustration. Maple Grove ended two games of frustration with their first win. Host Minnetonka fell for the first time this year after two victories. But frustration was endemic in the shooting game. Credit the defense for not allowing space to shoot. You can also credit the relative youth of both teams. Together both teams have six seniors. All together the seniors from both teams contributed seven total points.
Frustration. When teams fail to get to 70 pp100 (the Skippers’ starters were only able to get to 28.9) and touches were at a premium you end up with scores reminiscent of halftime of some recent games. There were only 56 possessions as each team attempted to crack the code and get free looks. In an ironic twist both teams combined for 63 points, the same total that Prior Lake’s McKenna Hofschild rang up in a loss to Park Center on Saturday.
MG scored on their first possession with a free throw. After three minutes the game was tied as Tonka scored their only three of the night with a corner shot from Erin Shoemaker. They would miss 17 other attempts for a bone chilling 5.6%. MG went on a 11-2 run over the next seven minutes that basically sealed the deal for the Crimson. Abby Schulte ignited that run with eight of her game high 14 points.
Another indicator of the frustration meter was the number of offensive fouls in the first half—-six total with each team “earning” three. Those fouls primarily came on ball screens up high. Minnetonka closed the last eight minutes of the half with an 8-6 advantage, but still trailing 21-13. The gap never really narrowed.
Frustration. After five minutes (and change) MG led 23-16 (a 3-2 Skipper advantage) after each team had seven possessions. To put it in the pp100 way, Minnetonka was clipping along at 42.9 and MG was sputtering at 28.6. Not the way either team planned their offenses at the break. MG increased their lead to a comfortable 14 points margin (34-20) with 7:45 left when Kelley Kloncz connected on a three after gaining an offensive rebound. The last seven minutes belonged to the Skippers 5-4. MG figured they had enough in the bank for the victory and went into a delay/take only great shot effort at the four minute mark (36-25). Two minutes later the Crimson turned it over, but the delay chewed enough clock to put pressure on Tonka to score fast. That didn’t happen. Minnetonka only had two more possessions.
| MAPLE GROVE | MINNETONKA | |
| POINTS | 38 | 25 |
| REBOUNDS/OFF | 33/12 | 32/14 |
| TURNOVERS | 18 | 25 |
| FTA/% | 11/54.5 | 13/61.5 |
| 2FG%/3FG% | 37.1/20.0 | 36.8/5.6 |
| PP100 | 67.9 | 46.3 |
| TOP SCORER | Abby Schulte 14 | Two with 5 |
TRENCH PLAYER: Abby Schulte of MG 14 points, 93.3 pp100; and 25 in the 31 Club
If you are wondering about the Saturday games (eight charted), I am still cleaning up code. Two more games to go.