TOTINO-GRACE 71, FRIDLEY 53

All AAAA & AAA sections had wrapped up the quarters in the last

two days. The exception was section 4AAA. Tonight, I was at the Battle of Moore Lake in Fridley. This was the second closest distance any team had to travel for an “away” game in the post season—-1.4 miles or five minutes away. (Sleepy Eye had 1 mile to get to Sleepy Eye St. Mary’s). These former North Suburban Conference teams renewed their traditional rivalry. After a tight opening nine minutes (with TG up 15-14) the host Eagles stretched their wings, soared and scored eight straight points to break the game open. Carla Meyer was the ignition for this run with back to back 3s from the right side and then a drive down the heart of the lane. By the break TG led 34-23. Clearly a contrast in styles, TG was more deliberate and patient on offense with 24 seven plus touch plays compared to the quick attack Fridley team that had three such seven touch sequences. TG also showed they valued the ball better with turnovers every 23.44 touches compared to the 10.08 touches for Fridley. Do not get the mistaken idea that TG has a turtle offense. They went to the rim hard when presented the chance. Several times they beat Fridley down court with lay ups after a made Tiger basket. TG attempted 19 lay ups compared to 8 for Fridley.

 If you notice in the stats below both teams had equality in rebounds and their field goal percentage (at least from 2s) were close. The turnover battle favored TG as did the free throw attempts.

Fridley was the highest qrf team listed left. As of today, I have all 100 qrf teams charted. Fridley was at 101. I am sure it will all change tomorrow.

In the first TG charting the Eagles came in with a 74.2 pp100. Tonight they were 30 better.

This is Bowlin week. On Tuesday I charted Pat (father) Bowlin’s Winona Cotter team. Today was Patrick (son) Bowlin’s Totino-Grace team. Both won. Both play Saturday. Both are #4 seeds. The difference between both teams came in the defensive rebound %. Cotter dominated Zumbrota-Mazeppa on the glass 78.95%. TG only had 51.35% of the available defensive boards today. TG had better 3 point shooting with 42%. Both Meyer and Lauren Miller (M&M) had multiple 3s. TG also played at a quicker pace with 68 possessions, 15 more than Cotter.

We can wrap this up with another Bow—- This was the second straight game where I was charting, and Referee Don Bowman was officiating.

	TOTINO-GRACE	FRIDLEY
POINTS	71	53
REBOUNDS/OFF	32/13	32/18
TURNOVERS	18	26
FTA/%	16/56.25	5/80.00
2FG%/3FG%	51.35/42.10	56.66/20.83
PP100	104.4	79.1
TOP SCORER	Carla Meyer 28	Tyliah Frazier 13

TRENCH PLAYER: TG’s 5-6 junior guard Carla Meyer with 28 points, a 127.3 pp100 and a member not of the 31 Club but the 41 Club with 45. Instrumental in the first separation with 10 straight points for the Eagles. This is Meyer’s second Trench Player award in two cracks at it.