Playoff basketball has a finality to it that the regular season does not possess. There is always another game on the horizon. The urgency exists in postseason. Strangely some teams don’t come with that urgency at the start of the game. Of course, they start ramping up the intensity when they are staring at an eight point deficit with two minutes left in the game. By that time, it is too late. Where was that level of play earlier in the game. I witnessed three upsets (four I guess) with team’s defense not at the recommended levels. Desperation changes activity. But if teams would only be proactive, not reactive at the start of the game they would not have to endure the stress of late game scenarios.

As a side note—I don’t usually report on the games my team is involved, but Hill-Murray was lights out on their shooting from behind the arc in the win over the Zephyrs. This was the third meeting between the two teams and HM cranked up the long range missile attack with 11 on Saturday afternoon. Last time they played they notched only two. The Pioneers had the best pp100 of any team this week with 122. They will need to replicate that sharpshooting when they meet Totino-Grace for a state berth on Thursday.

BENCH WATCHING

I have noticed several teams riveted on the bench throughout the game. This indicates the coach has a desire to control the action. My issue with the continual glancing over is that the player is missing significant cues during the contest focusing on the bench rather than what is before them. Basketball, unfortunately or fortunately, is a chaotic game. It never really goes to script. Players need to be alert to the changing dynamics of ball and player movement. Any thing that takes their focus off that gives opportunity to the other team that has game understanding. Of course, the bench glancers love it when the other team allows free looks. They can continue unimpeded up court. There are two parts to this equation.

1AA QUARTERFINAL: Goodhue 80, Chatfield 53

The number one seed Wildcats rode their pressure defense to victory over Chatfield. This was the widest margin of any of the games this week. By half Goodhue only needed two more points for victory as they were up 52-27. The Wildcats forced 30 turnovers, shot 54% from 2s, cashed in with eight 3s, and delivered 16/18 at the free throw line. Elisabeth Gadient had 31 points for Goodhue. The odd thing in this game was Chatfield shot even better than Goodhue from 2s at 56%. They didn’t get to the line as often (only six times).

1AA QUARTERFINAL: Lake City 62, Dover-Eyota 59 OT 80.5 / 77.6

This was a game of drama. This was a game of missed opportunities. This game had grit. Lake City, the defending 1AA champs and fifth seed survived having their top two scorers for the night foul out and still managed to defeat Dover-Eyota. The #4 seed Eagles had chances several times including a lay up at the regulation buzzer that tantalizingly came close to finishing the night.

LC had the advantage early in the game at 10-6, but DE pulled ahead at half 21-16. DE’s biggest margin came early in the second half at 28-20. LC edged in front 34-32 (14-4 run) with a pair of free throws by MSU Mankato bound Natalie Bremer. She topped the Tiger scoring list with 17 points but fouled out with 4:33 left in the game and LC up 41-39. The next highest LC scorer was Jacey Majerus off the bench with 13 points. She too joined Bremer with five fouls. She exited with 1:26 left and the Tigers up 52-51. It appeared the game was sealed by a 3 from LC’s Mali Benjamin with under a minute left (55-52), but DE’s Malia Nelson, on the very next Eagle possession responded with her own 3 to tie the game. Nelson was the game high scorer with 27 on the night. Three straight turnovers gave DE a chance with 23 seconds left in regulation. Nelson had the lay up at the buzzer that lipped out. Time for four more minutes. DE scored first in OT with a put back by Miranda Palmby. Benjamin connected on her second 3 of the night to put LC up for good 58-57. With the clock under a minute, DE stole the ball but missed the lay up chance that would have given them the lead. An offensive foul gave DE another chance. Another drive was missed. Mya Shones won the rebound and Paige West added two insurance free throws with six seconds left to secure the triumph.

2AAA QUARTERFINAL: Worthington 63, St. Peter 58

For the second time this year Worthington edged past St. Peter. This time it was on the road and the Trojans did not need an extra four minutes to get the W. This game was tight throughout with both teams sitting at 32 to start the second half. The hosts didn’t take their first lead until the second half. It was soon knotted up again at 42. The biggest Saint lead came at 45-42 with over 10 minutes to go. Twelve unanswered points put Worthington back in the driver’s seat (54-45) with 4 minutes and change left. St. Peter ratcheted up their defensive intensity in the up hill scramble to get back in the game. A key offensive rebound preserved a six point margin for the guests. It became a matter of too little, too late as the Trojans advanced to face Mankato East.

From the perspective of the losing team’s pp100, in this case St. Peter at 93.5; this was the “best” played game of the week.

1AAA QUARTERFINAL: Albert Lea 61, Red Wing 52

Karol Hansen came back to lead the Tigers midseason in a coaching change. The veteran experience helped Wednesday. The Tigers won the rubber match of their season series, with this win coming on the road. AL scored the last five points of the first half with an exclamation point 3 by Jordan Juveland at the buzzer to lead 26-23. RW still felt the after effects at the start of the second half when the Tigers, after an initial first possession turnover, rattled off six straight scores (13-4). Annika Veldman delivered eight straight for AL in that surge. With under 4:30 left in the game Hallie Roschen hit a 3 for RW to give the Wingers the lead for the first time in the second half 50-47 (23-8 run). AL responded by scoring four straight times to regain the lead and momentum with Taya Jeffrey doing the damage for six of the eight points, four of those coming at the line where she was solid at 10/11. She led both teams with 22 points. It was still a two possession game with under a minute left, but AL sealed the game with  six free throws.

7AAAA QUARTERFINAL: Andover 57, Duluth East 43

The upset string stopped here with Andover connecting on the deep ball early and often to build a 12-4 lead. Four consecutive 3s have a tendency to do that. The Huskies only made four more the rest of the game, but the separation was real and the Greyhounds didn’t have the fire power to close that gap. Better shooting with Andover hitting 45% of their 2s and 44% of their 3s moved them to the semis next week. DE shot 25% and 19% respectively. Anna Vaaler of Andover had game high point honors with 16.

3A SOUTH CHAMPIONSHIP: Tracy-Milroy-Balaton Southwest 52, MN Christian 36

In one word: ragged. This game had the lowest pp100 for the winner—-under 70 (which I don’t consider very great). TMB had 66.7. The losing team was also low on the pp100 barometer at 45.6. Part of the problem (and the same situation in the following game) was the multiple three point lines. The players set up on the deepest line and just the slightest changes there can alter shooting percentages from 3. Part of the problem was trying to fit square pegs into round holes. Part of the problem was poor decision making. As a result, there were 35 and 24 turnovers for SW and TMB respectively. SW was turning it over every 9.9 touches. I want 25 or more touches.

Still the start of the contest pointed to a potential upset. The Eagles jumped to a 6-0 start. Then the sputtering began. TMB found the right gear and led at the break 31-13, a drastic 31-7 finish to the half. SW never recovered.  A trio of Panthers had 10 points for TMB. Ana Veldkamp of SW led all players with 15 points.

3A NORTH CHAMPIONSHIP: Minneota 58, MACCRAY 37

The defending A state champs (two time minus the virus shut down) took down MACCRAY, halting their upset string in the north. The Wolverines had visions of upset in their minds when they led 11-4 thanks to three consecutive 3s. That long distance success did not continue. The Vikings went ahead 17-15 (13-4 run) and never trailed again. By half it was 32-18. Leading the charge for Minneota was veteran Natalee Rolbiecki with 24 points, half coming on transition lay ups.

5AA QUARTERFINAL: Watertown-Mayer 72, Minneapolis North 50

The Royals opened the game up in the second half racing past the Polars on turnovers or rebounds. WM forced 36 turnovers, which led to fifteen opportunities in transition which led to at least 14 points.  Alex McNeil had all 19 North points at half. She ended up game high scorer with 26 points. The first time a player not named McNeil scored came with eleven minutes left in the game. Part of that issue is the youth/inexperience of the other players for North. Balance was the word for WM with four players in double figures with Bella Barden leading the way with 14.

I was concerned this game wasn’t going to be played. North arrived what I would consider late to the site. The road conditions were not ideal, but apparently the North transportation moved the pickup time 20 minutes later.

31 CLUB

With nine games in six days, you would expect some additions to the 31 Club. There were ten total this week, two of which were members of the 41 Club. Top performer in both pure 31 Club numbers and the pp100 was Elisabeth Gadient of Goodhue in the Monday 1AA quarterfinal win over Chatfield. She had a 47 in the 31 Club and 155 pp100. Unfortunately for Gadient and the Wildcats, their season came to a close on Saturday in the semis.

Also of note during this week– Ella Runyon of Hill-Murray made the 41 Club again. She has made the 31+ Club four times in four chartings this year including once in the 51 Club. Of the ten players that made the list this week already five have had their season end.

STREAKING

Same old, same old.

AAAA: 23 Rogers
AAA: 16 Becker
AA: 22 Pequot Lakes
A: 30 Hayfield

UNDEFEATED

One is a lonely number. Thirty is a big number.

A: Hayfield 30-0

RANKED

AA is completed for top 10s with A slowly being chipped away. More will follow this week in that  class.

AAAA: 100%
AAA: 100%
AA: 100%
A: 60%

QRF

1-10: 100%
1-25: 100%
1-50: 100%
1-75: 100%
1-100: 97%
1-125: 88.8%
1-150: 76.7%

SEEDING THE STATE

There were a pair of casualties on this list. Replacements came in 2AAAA and 3AA as Chaska & New London-Spicer finished their seasons. There was another switch after viewing action in 3A on Friday.

AAAA

1. Hopkins (6)
2. Eden Prairie (2)
3. Michael-Albertville (8)
4. Maple Grove (5)
5. Rosemount (3)
6. Stillwater (4)
7. Lakeville North (1)
8. Centennial (7)

AAA

1. Becker (5)
2. Paul Como Park (3)
3. Holy Angels (6)
4. Mankato East (2)
5. Austin (1)
6. Totino-Grace (4)
7. Grand Rapids (7)
8. Willmar (8)

AA

1. Providence (5)
2. Minnehaha (4)
3. Rochester Lourdes (1)
4. Fergus Falls (8)
5. Albany (5)
6. Pequot Lakes (7)
7. Montevideo (3)
8. Glencoe-Silver Lake (2)

A

1. Mountain Iron-Buhl (7)
2. Mayer Lutheran (2)
3. Hayfield (1)
4. Hancock (6)
5. Minneota (3)
6. Cass Lake-Bena (8)
7. Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa (5)
8. New Life Academy (4)