ROGERS 59, COON RAPIDS 47
Wednesday the technology gods were aligned against me. Some of it was self-inflicted, some to the vagaries of the whims of the stat program. That is one reason for the delay in this report. The entire first half stats were lost due to user (that would be me) error. I usually have back up in two places, but, for some reason, I failed to copy and save. I do have the final 18 minutes of stats, but it doesn’t tell the whole story. But half a loaf is better than none (I guess). I can tell you two bits of information about the first half that may be pertinent as Rogers built up a 33-20 lead at the break. CR’s Nicole Post picked up two fouls early and had to sit a good portion of the half. Even though that impacted the CR interior defense, Rogers was feasting on the three point line. They even feasted at mid court as Ellie Buzzelle bombed a shot from the mid court stripe. But did it happen in the allotted 2.9 seconds that was left from baseline? No. It appeared the clock started late meaning it happened after the time allowed. If this was a state tournament game the points would not be permitted because of video review. CR’s new coach Tom Weko, lobbied for the disallow, but the refs would not hear of it.
The second half saw that Rogers lead melt away. Rogers hit another triple to open the second half building what looked like an insurmountable lead at 36-20, but that margin was no Mount Everest for CR. In the next seven minutes CR outscored the hosts to take the lead 40-38 after a Ella Giorgi inside score. The biggest Cardinal lead came at 42-38 on a Grace Henneman score off the right block. All told a 22-2 blast by CR. Rogers started their climb out of the newly found deficit with the long ball, this time courtesy of Alaina Brenning from the right corner. Buzzelle continued the 3 point barrage from the right side to put the Royals back in front to stay 44-42. Brenning added another 3 two possessions later (47-42). Rogers closed with a 21-5 kick. The last seven Royal points in the last 1:33 came at the free throw line.
The differences in offensive approaches were apparent by the stats. Rogers relied heavily behind the arc with ten 3s or more than 50% of their total output. CR by contrast delivered once. CR did have more chances at the line (by two).
This was the first win for Rogers in the 2019-20 campaign after three losses. CR is looking for their first win in the Weko era and are 0-3.
Another connection—–Once upon a time I coached Post’s mother in volleyball when I first started teaching/coaching. I think that is two degrees of separation.
| ROGERS | COON RAPIDS | |
| POINTS | 59 | 47 |
| REBOUNDS/OFF | 32 | 42 |
| TURNOVERS | 15 | 17 |
| 2FGA/% | 29/27.6 | 41/39.02 |
| 3FGA/% | 39/25.6 | 7/14.3 |
| FTA/% | 20/65.00 | 22/54.55 |
| TOP SCORER | Elle Buzzelle 21 | Ella Giorgi 12 |
SECOND HALF ONLY
| ROGERS | COON RAPIDS | |
| POINTS | 26 | 27 |
| REBOUNDS/OFF | 16/5 | 23/9 |
| TURNOVERS | 6 | 8 |
| 2FGA/% | 8/25.00 | 27/37.08 |
| 3FGA/% | 16/31.25 | 4/25.00 |
| FTA/% | 11/63.63 | 5/80.00 |
| PP100 | 81.2 | 84.4 |
| TOP SCORER | Alaina Brenning 14 | Ella Giorgi 8 |
TRENCH PLAYER (2ND HALF): Alaina Brenning, 14 points, 200 pp100, and an 18 in the 31 Club.