AUSTIN 81, MANKATO EAST 51
Austin went on the road in a make up game Monday night and
zipped by Mankato East 81-51. Originally this game was scheduled for January 18. This was the second time I charted East. The first time came on January 5, almost a month ago. Since that time the Cougars have lost seven in a row. Everyone of those teams is ranked in the top 20 in AAAA or AAA except for Marshall. Last Friday they put a scare into #1AAA Red Wing with a 42-36 loss on the road. The expectation was the margin may be tighter tonight. It clearly wasn’t. Austin’s snappy passing and quick player movement sliced and diced the ME defense early and often. The Packers led 15-5 with ten minutes to go in the half. With 5:39 left it was 32-12. Austin was cruising at half 40-22. The Austin starters were sizzling that first half with a 142.9 pp100. If that would have been the final total, it would have put the Austin starters with the fifth best starters charting of the year. They cooled off a bit in the second half, but still finished with a healthy 128.9 pp100. Austin had nine players north of 100 in the pp100 battle. Four of their starters were over 140 pp100. ME’s had two starters with an 85.7 pp100 and their starters only generating 71.9 pp100. This is a far cry from their efforts against Winona a month ago which came in at 88.2 pp100 for the game.
Austin was able to connect deep besides the paint with seven 3s, from six different players. The Austin pressure forced 25 turnovers, with a positive differential of +13.
The reason for this trip was it was the best window for Austin. 1AAA has their post season quarters the same day as the AAAA teams and it was essential to get the Packers done quickly. With the future weather reports looking iffy and the calendar being pressed up against the clock with no wiggle room whatsoever, it was a well timed game. This morning it looked questionable, but the roads, thanks to the efforts of the MNDot folks, were a breeze. The worst parts to travel were the parking lots from car to entrance. That was icy and one had to negotiate that walk like a penguin.
I have now charted 11 of the 12 Big 9 teams (you do the math). Missing is Faribault. Austin is 12-5. ME is 6-13 on the year.
| AUSTIN | MANKATO EAST | |
| POINTS | 81 | 51 |
| REBOUNDS/OFF | 29/10 | 40/16 |
| TURNOVERS | 12 | 25 |
| FTA/% | 25/80.00 | 6/50.0 |
| 2FG%/3FG% | 51.28/38.89 | 40.00/30.76 |
| PP100 | 117.4 | 72.9 |
| TOP SCORER | Kyra Walters 17 | Lexi Karge 12 |
TRENCH PLAYER: 5-10 junior forward Kyra Walters 17 points, 154.5 pp100 and 28 in the 31 Club.