FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2007

 

Lady Islanders Brings Intensity

Senior Rachel Booth Headed to St. Cloud State

DeLaSalle, Feb 16 - The Breck Mustangs ran into a DeLaSalle team that was clicking on all cylinders. The Lady Islanders played intense both on offense and defense. And 4 minutes into the game, it was clear this is a ballclub with real team chemistry. The Lady Islanders intense full court press forced a lot of turnovers and they went on to win 78-23. The Lady Islanders is led by 6'2" Senior Rachel Booth, she finished with 24 points. Booth is headed to St. Cloud State on scholarship.

 

Running The Floor 

Booth was double and sometimes triple teamed but time after time she found an open teammate. "Teams are aware of her. So heading into games, other teams focus on her," said Darcy Cascaes, The Islanders Activities Director. Junior Aaryn Booker is having a big year with the attention given to Booth. She finished with 4 points. Senior Point Guard Aneshia Starks played a very good floor game and finished with 4 points. Teammates Anna Kovalchuk had 11 and Carissa Toussaint finished with 10 points. Breck's Kara Elofson paced the Lady Musstangs with 14 points.

Statement made: Islanders 78, Breck 23

FEBRUARY 6, 2007

 

South Wins Rematch Against North 80-42

 

The Lady Tigers came to play.  Six days earlier Minneapolis North handed South its first loss of the season, behind Maurika Hickman's 27 points.  But tonight,  South's Coach Ahmil Jihad made an adjustment on defense. He matched speed with speed by putting the athletic Hill on the lightning quick Hickman."That was a slight adjustment and as you can see she did a good job" said Coach Ahmil.

South's three-guard-offense of Hill, Ephesia Holmes and Tyisha Smith controled the tempo of the game from the opening tip to the final buzzer. "All three came to play tonight. They were a little bit more focus tonight. We had a very good team meeting. We wanted them to focus a little bit more and get down to business. I think that loss to North put us on track. It's a big win for us. But at the same time, like I tell our kids before every game, you're the better team . They're coming after you" said Coach Ahmil.

  
Ephesia Holmes had her mid-range game going. The brilliant point guard was able to get to her spot at will, setting the tone on offense. Holmes was unstoppable in the first half when it mattered most. She finished with 17 points. Tayler Hill took over in the second half and tallied 25 points. Hill said the team's intensity was the difference. Freshman Tyisha Smith added 12 points, while Sophomore Forward Jenny Houle knocked down 3 pointers from all over the court, scored 15. Gabrielle Robert played great in the paint along with Hannah Cheese. "Our team came out hard and played as one" said Hill.

STATEMENT MADE: LADY TIGERS 80-42

2-9-07

 

Our Press Is Our Signature

IN FRONT OF A PACKED HOUSE AT CRETIN-DERHAM HALL, THE HOME TEAM BEAT HOPKINS 75-69. ALYSSA KAREL, THE RAIDERS' HIGHLY SKILLED POINT GUARD FINISHED WITH 21 POINTS.   BUT IT WAS ON THE DEFENSIVE END WHERE KAREL SEEMS TO MAKE MOST OF HER BIG PLAYS. "IT'S REALLY A TEAM DEFENSE.  OUR PRESS IS OUR SIGNATURE.   WE ARE ABLE TO COUNT ON OUR TEAMMATES TO BE WHERE THEY NEED TO BE.   IT MAKES IT A LOT EASIER TO ANTICIPATE AND GO FOR THOSE STEALS," SAID KAREL. KAREL LEADS THE RAIDERS IN STEALS. CAROLYN DIENHART FINISHED WITH 16 FOR THE RAIDERS.  HOPKINS' JACKIE HEIBERT FINISHED WITH A GAME HIGH 26 POINTS. STEPHANIE SENSION SCORED12, HANNA MUEGGE 16. CAITLIN ROWLAND BACK FROM A LEG INJURY FINISHED WITH 13.

STATEMENT MADE:  75-69 CRETIN-DERHAM HALL, OT

 

2-23-07

 

CITY CHAMPIONSHIP GAME SET

 

AT LAST, IT'S MINNEAPOLIS SOUTH VS. ST.  PAUL CENTRAL AGAIN

 "We've been waiting to play Saint Paul Central all season."

It will be number one ranked St. Paul Central against number two Minneapolis South in the long awaited City Championship game at South High School. Central is undefeated at 25-0. South is 24-1. "This will be a true test to tell us whether we are going into the playoffs," said Central Head Coach Willie Taylor. Central ran through the regular season untested. Central is led by Marquette bound Angel Robinson and Minnesota bound Kiara Buford. But,  this is a very deep team. Any of  Central's top 6 players can take over a game. Ebony Black, Georgia Jones, Theairra Taylor, and Megan Howard are all division one players. South is led by Super Sophomore Tayler Hill who leads the Metro in scoring at 27 points per game and Junior Ephesia Holmes at 19 points per game. This is a very dangerious one-two punch. But, South is a complete team.  Freshmen Tyisha Smith is fearless taking it to the rim and Sophomore Jenny Houle can shoot the three. "We've been waiting to play Central all season," said Holmes. This match-up will be a tune-up for both Central and South. "Going into the post season we've got to change gears, " said  South Head Coach Ahmil Jihad.

   

 

 2007 TWIN CITY CHAMPION

 
ST. PAUL CENTRAL

Georgie Jones holding trophy


 "HEAVEN SENT"


Central's Angel Robinson



gPrep.net Minnesota Girls Basketball



"DIME STORM" DOMINATES TWIN CITY CHAMPIONSHIP

 

By Gary Knox

2-24-07

Meteorologists all over the Twin Cities warned of a major winter storm affecting Central and Southern Minnesota. What they did not forecast was the powerful St. Paul Central storm that dropped devastating dimes all over Minneapolis South's home court. Storm damage was evident as a sold-out crowd looked on. In the beginning both teams were ice cold. But Central's "sweet" Georgie Jones aka "Lady Eraser" warmed up to dominate the paint with 18 rebounds and quickly establish a no lay-up rule with 5 blocked shots. At 6'2" "Lady Eraser" was able to "clean the glass" and reject shot attempts by the smaller South team. 

 

 

 

Winter Storm Affecting Central and Southern Minnesota

    "34 Georgie Jones aka "Lady Eraser"

   

 

South Superstar Tayler Hill was held to just 4 points in the first half. Central closed-out the half leading 41-24. But, the biggest force on the hardwood was Central's Angel Robinson. Even South's crowd was awe-struck by Robinson's court savvy and look away dimes. Her ball handling skills blinded the crowd, creating near white-out conditions both on the court and in the stands. True hoop fans couldn't help but applaud. At times Robinson put the Lady Minutemen on her shoulders, scoring 27 points and 6 assists. Robinson came at South from every angle, dropping no-look dimes, raining 3's, going coast to coast finishing with a finger role and picking pockets along the way. "This is the most competition we've had in a while since the beginning of the year when we played Hopkins," said Robinson.

"GAME GAUGE FOR BOTH TEAMS"

#3 TAYLER HILL

 

All-State Forward and University of Minnesota bound Kiara Buford played inspired basketball. Buford scored whenever she wanted to and finished with 10 clutch points. With 16 minutes left in the game Central led 45-25.

5'11" Sophomore Guard Theairra Taylor is one of the best at her position in the state. She finished with 9 points. 6'0" Ebony Black dropped a few dimes from the forward position and played a very unselfish game. With Robinson having a great game, Black did not need to take-over. Instead, she dropped dimes. I counted 90 cents between Black and Robinson from court side. 6'0" Megan Howard rebounded and scored in the paint. She finished with 9 points. Central's size took a toll on the smaller South team.

While Sharp Shooting Abby Gust knocked down timely 3's from the outside when the game was in the balance, Gust finished with 8 points. South brilliant Point Ephesia Holmes played well and kept the Lady Tigers in the game with her
play. Holmes finished with 17 points.

 

23 EBONY BLACK

South Superstar Tayler Hill was held to just 4 points in the first half. Central closed-out the half leading 41-24. But, the biggest force on the hardwood was Central's Angel Robinson. Even South's crowd was awe-struck by Robinson's court savvy and look away dimes. Her ball handling skills blinded the crowd, creating near white-out conditions both on the court and in the stands. True hoop fans couldn't help but applaud. At times Robinson put the Lady Minutemen on her shoulders, dropping no-look dimes, raining 3's and going coast to coast finishing with a finger role. Robinson came at South from every angle, picking pockets along the way. "This is the most competition we've had in a while since the beginning of the year when we played Hopkins," said Robinson.

                

21 Theairra Taylor

The match up was a test for both teams. Central is 26-0 after tonight's victory. South is 24-2. "This game will help us prepare for the sections next week," said Robinson. Central is so loaded with talent, it can probably beat some college teams. And with six Division 1 players, Central will be hard for any high school team to compete with.

STANDING OVATION

30 Kiara Buford, 11 Angel Robinson

 

South's All-Metro Guard Tayler Hill took-over in the second half, with a spectacular spin move into the lane, for two of her 24 points. South cut the lead to 10 points. But, Central answered EVERY run South had and went on to win. The final was 83-64. "It went pretty good for us. South is the top 2 or 3 team in the state and we played pretty good against them. We'll use today's game as a gauge to know where we're at", said Central Head Coach Willie Taylor.

 

VOICE OF AN "ANGEL"

 

Statement Made: St. Paul Central 83-64

 

TOP

HOME

SECTION  3 CHAMPS

ST. PAUL CENTRAL,  28-0

 

BASKETBALL'S BEST

Alyssa Karel, Cretin-Derhan Halls'  brilliant senior point guard, NO. 30, played her last high school game.

The team leader walked off the court to a standing ovation. Central won 97-58. Karel  will play at Wisconsin next year.

CENTRAL'S Kiara Buford, NO. 30

NO. 11 Angel Robinson scored 20 points in the win Central advances to State as the # 1 seed.

Angel Robinson,  NO. 11, was unstoppable in the open floor. Robinson finished with 20 points.

NO. 34, Georgie Jones, aka "Lady Eraser" grabs a rebound.


SECTION  2 CHAMPS 
EDINA,  24-4

 

 

NO. 35 Loren Young scored a game high 26 points as the Lady Hornets advanced to the state tournament.

 

 

 

 

 

 

NO. 21 LINDSEY SATHER



SECTION  7 CHAMPS

CHAMPLIN PARK, 26-3

Champlin Parks' Coach Carl Pierson is a master motivator. All season, the team has been ready for big games.  Friday was no different. Champlin Park advanced to State, with a 74-68 victory over Blaine. Senior Guard Ashlynn Fuller scored 15 points for the Lady Rebels.

SECTION  4 CHAMPS

OSSEO,  19-9


NO. 11,  6'2" KATE THOMPSON, SHOOTING FROM DOWN-TOWN

Osseo advanced to State with a  68-58 win over Wayzata.  But the big buzz around town was the play of  Wayzata's 6'2" Sophomore Kate Thompson. At  6'2" Thompson can play the point, shoot from downtown and play in the paint.  Look for Thompson to get long looks from major colleges around the country.

NO 11. KATE THOMPSON


______________________________________________________

SECTION  6 CHAMPS

MINNEAPOLIS SOUTH,  27-2

 

Minneapolis South three-guard-offense, of Tayler Hill, Ephesia Holmes and Freshmen Tyisha Smith, was too much for Eastview to handle.

NO.13 Ephesia Holmes

The trio combined for 59 of South's 67 points. ( Hill 29, Holmes 20 , Smith 10)

NO. 3 Tayler Hill

Smith's biggest impact was on defense. Smith created havoc and played her best in the biggest game of the year for the South Tigers.

NO.11 Tyisha Smith

South's Head Coach Ahmil Jahad was visibly pleased with the win and the chance to compete in the State Tournament. Eastview's brilliant Point Guard Brittney McSparron finished with 29 points.

NO. 22 Jenny Wesser

DeLASALLE 45, HOLY ANGELS 43 LAKEVILLE NORTH 45, ROSEMONT 43 ROSEVILLE 56, FOREST LAKE 49 MOORHEAD 64, ST. CLOUD TECH 60 DETROIT LAKES 53, PERHAM 36 NEW PRAGUE 50, NORTHFIELD 42 TOTINO-GRACE 42, ROGERS 41 BENILDE-ST MARGARET'S  64, MINNEAPOLIS NORTH 47  CALEDONIA 49, KINGSLAND 41 RUSHFORD-PETERSON 61, NEW LIFE 46 BECKER 58, SARTELL 41

POST SEASON DREAMS