I made my way back over to Chanhassen for the Mill City Tournament. The story arc didn’t vary that much from Friday’s edition. I charted five (or perhaps better stated portions of five) games. The Fury program picked up four wins in four games. The Gauntlet brand is better at this event than non-gauntlet. Often the games were either running time games or on the verge of running time. The last game was over way before I left at halftime. There was only one compelling game and MN Fury 2021 Gauntlet got redemption for a game that got away from them yesterday.

The overall pp100 for the day was 75.43. That was a slight improvement from Friday’s 73.21. Today’s score belies the fact that there was a wide window from 122.2 to 24.3. Unfortunately, those scores occurred in the same game (I mean half).

Tomorrow there will be six title games. I expect the games to be more compelling. I expect the Fury to take part in most, with a smattering of Flight Elite.

GAME 1: 2021 Platinum

MN FURY 2021 YELLOW 50, 43 HOOPS 2021 30

I didn’t stick to the script on this one. This game was on court one and I was camped out in my familiar spot on court two (the “feature” court) when I was greeted by a Stillwater parent that the game on court one would feature two sophomore to be Ponies. I quickly moved over to chart that game. Stillwater was going to be a big theme for the day, at least in two games. In this case Gionna Carr’s MF21Y beat Maddy Motz’s 43H21 squad in close to running time. I ran from this game at the end since court two was about to tip off for their second game. The key stats included a 40-28 rebound advantage for Fury, a 43-26 2fg% advantage for the Fury, and if you like free throw parades the Fury won that contest too with 28 to 19 attempts. Fury was well on their way at half 22-8.

GAME 2: OPEN Platinum

ALL IN GAUNTLET TRUDING 77, BEARS TAIL 17U 42

All In was all over the Bears Tail. All In is based out of suburban Chicago and this All In team consisted of eight 2020s with two 2019s. Bears Tail occupies the western half of North Dakota with a big emphasis on the Bismarck area. How they got Megan Voit, who is from Sauk Rapids, MN & attends school at St. Cloud Cathedral, on their team is beyond me. That is a good five hour and twenty minute drive one way. BT is glad they had Voit since she was the only player that consistently found the bottom of the basket. She ended up with 20 points thanks in part to 6/7 shooting from 3s. BT17U also had two players from Billings, Montana on their squad (six hours away). All In cashed in frequently at the 3 line with a lucky 13. They also were scorching inside with 53 percent. The route was on at half with All In up 46-18, four more than they needed to win. All In also had great balance with nine players scoring between six and 13 points.

GAME 3: OPEN Platinum

MN FURY 2019 GAUNTLET 60, WI FLIGHT ELITE 11 WEST 44

Host Fury were physically stronger, taller than their co-hosts Flight Elite. Still FE was too close for comfort at halftime trailing 28-25. Scoring the first 15 points in the second half left no doubt other than would running time kick in (it didn’t). The left handed duo of Taylor McAulay and McKenna Hofschild combing for 33 of the Fury 60 points. They Fury took advantage at the free throw line attempting 26 free throws to only six for Flight Elite.

GAME 4: OPEN Gold

MN FURY 2021 GAUNTLET 60, EJ HOOPS 16U NATIONAL 57

This was the game of the day. Not only was it the closest game, but the Fury had to rise from the dead to get the win. A dreadful start left them looking at a 19-5 deficit after the first nine minutes. That was due in part to their twin towers of Lauren Betts (6-6) and Raegan Beers (6-1). Those two cast a big shadow and protected the rim. Fury closed the gap some by half 28-18. A quick four EJH points prompted a Fury time out. What sparked Fury to their rally win? Alexis Pratt went on a spree. (Pratt is another Stillwater product). She ended up with a day’s high 25 points. Like the previous game the Fury took advantage at the free throw line with 34 attempts. Pratt was 9/12 at the line. She also delivered a pair of 3s. For all of EJH size up front their ball handling was suspect. Pratt’s speed, quickness and harassment helped set the tone for the rest of the Fury. EJH coughed up the ball a whopping 34 times. They were turning it over ever 8.91 touches. To contrast that number Pratt had 79 touches and one turnover. The Fury had 21, which isn’t great either with a turnover every 16.9 touches. The Fury didn’t get their lead until Pratt made two free throws with 1:35 left (56-55). It was still only a one point game with 10.4 seconds left when Rachel Leerar knocked down the final two points at the free throw line.

EJ Hoops is based the southern Denver suburbs.

GAME 5: 2022 Platinum

MN FURY 2022 BLUE 59, EJ HOOPS 14U ELITE 20

This was a romp and hence I pulled up stakes at half time. Then the score was 43-10. Size, speed, and skill (S Cubed) spelled the difference. This EJH version did not have any towering presence and had a hard time keeping up. After nine minutes Fury had enough to win (21-5).

For those that keep track of the 31 Club two others besides Pratt were members: McKenna Hofschild of MN Fury 2019 Gauntlet and Lauren Betts of EJ Hoops 16U National.

TEAM	POINTS	PP100	SCORER
MN Fury 2021 Yellow	50	76.7	Ella Hronski 14
43 Hoops 2021	30	45.0	Addy Salzer 13
All In Gauntlet Truding	77	114.9	Two with 13
Bears Tail 17u	42	63.6	Megan Voit 20
MN Fury 2019 Gauntlet	60	88.2	Taylor McAulay 23
WI Flight Elite 11 West	44	62.1	Emily Herzberg 12
MN Fury 2021 Gauntlet	60	80.3	Alexis Pratt 25
EJ Hoops 16U National	57	77.0	Lauren Betts 17
MN Fury 2022 Blue	59	122.2	Caillin Hake 10
EJ Hoops 14U Elite	20	24.3	Natalia Simonson 5

TRENCH PLAYERS:

GAME 1: Gionna Carr of Fury with 13 points, 118.2 pp100, and 25 score in the 31 Club

GAME 2: Emily Klaczek of All In with 13 points, 130.0 pp100 and 22 score in the 31 Club

GAME 3: Taylor McAulay of Fury with 23 points, 164.3 pp100 and 29 score in the 31 Club

GAME 4: Alexis Pratt of Fury with 25 points, 131.6 pp100 and 37 score in the 31 Club

GAME 5: Caillin Hake of Fury in one half 10 points, 225 pp100, and a 17 (doubled 34) in the 31 Club.

PLAYER OF THE DAY: ALEXIS PRATT