Hot Shots

Watching Holy Angels and Waseca light it up from long range in the 1st half of this morning’s Class AAA quarter-final got me to thinking about the best shooting performances so far in the state tournament. For the record, Waseca hit 6-of-10 3s (Madison Gehloff 2-of-2, Gus Boyer and Emily Karsten each 2-of-3) while Holy Angels made 5-of-15 (including Alex Walker who made 2-of-3 off the Stars bench). In the 2nd half, Waseca made just 5-of-16 and Holy Angels 3-of-8, not bad but not like Waseca’s 1st half. Anyway, here are some of the best shooting performances. So far. Best shooting performances so far Center—Natalie Smaron, Orono, 6-2, senior. 8-of-11 FG for 16 points. Gets up high with the ball up high over her head. Hard to block or even to distract. Power Forward—Megan Walstad, Eastview, 6-2, junior. 9-of-15 FG, 6-of-7 FT. Also has nice form, gets nice elevation with the ball up in a high release. Nice stroke on her FT. Small Forward—Tori Andrew, Orono, 5-10, senior. Can score inside or out. Last week against Blake she took it inside. Yesterday against Willmar the 3 was there and it was falling—5-of-12, plus 7-of-8 FT. Point Guard—Paige Bueckers, Hopkins, 5-9, freshman. 12-of-17 including a bunch of mid-range jumpers. Has a very quick release. You blink and you might miss her shooting it. Shooting Guard— Second Team Center—Cayle Hovland, Willmar, 6-0, senior, made 6-of-10 shots including  both 2s and 1s Forward—Eden Nibbelink, Winona, 6-2, senior, made 4-of-8 3s Guard—Temi Carda, Lakeville North, 5-7, senior. 8-of-11 FG including 3-of-4 3s. Guard—Ann Simonet, Park Center, 5-7. Senior. 5-o, 5-9, f-9 3s including 4-of-6 in the 1st half. Eastview won because they denied Simonet in the 2nd half. Guard—Madison Gehloff, Waseca, 5-9, sophomore. 4-of-5 3s.