Milestone Monday: Game of the Week could make history
The 1,000- and 2,000-point career milestones have been piling up high and deep up in recent weeks with so many accomplishing the feat that it has been difficult to keep up. (Thank goodness for Twitter!) Monday night there just might…
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Continue ReadingThe 1,000- and 2,000-point career milestones have been piling up high and deep up in recent weeks with so many accomplishing the feat that it has been difficult to keep up. (Thank goodness for Twitter!) Monday night there just might be another milestone reached that can't possibly have happened before, can it? It's difficult to fathom that two players could have ever reached the 2,000-point mark on the same night, in the same game. It could happen when Como Park visits Maranatha in Game of the Week #13.
Get the banners and balloons ready kids because senior forward Jaclyn Jarnot of Maranatha needs just 11 points to reach 2,000 for her fine career with the Mustangs. Senior guard Makayla Van Nett of Como Park needs about twice that number to reach the double century. Although they are both seeking the same milestone, Jarnot and Van Nett could not be more different players. The 6'1″ Jarnot is long and smooth, with a graceful stride and the ability to get to the rim with ease. A great catch-and-shoot player with excellent range, she is committed to Division 1 Monmouth in New Jersey.
Van Nett is a 5'8″ guard who can also catch and shoot rather well, or create her own shot off the bounce. She has decent handles and is an excellent passer. Van Nett's true stock in trade, however, is the three-point shot, and she has been one of Minnesota's very best from distance for four years. Last fall, Van Nett won the Nickle Dickle charity three-point contest in Waconia, dusting a field that included Paige Bueckers and a host of other high-profile players. She's averaging 22 points per game with a high of 41.
Fast and faster: These teams like to put it in high gear
This matchup is about more than just the two individuals seeking milestones. It is also about two teams that like to play fast and faster, and there's nothing quite like high-speed hoops to liven up the first day of the work week. There are other similarities, too. Maranatha is 16-4 with a perfect 10-0 record in the Minnesota Christian Athletic Conference where they have won more than 100 consecutive games. Como Park (14-7) is also 10-0 in the St. Paul City Conference, where they routinely make mincemeat of opponents. Last week, Maranatha dispatched PACT by 80 points; Como eased off the throttle and won by 68 vs St. Paul Johnson. Monday's game should be closer.
Maranatha has two elite seniors in Jarnot and guard Kylie Post, who has committed to D2 Minnesota-Crookston. Both are finalists for Minnesota's Miss Basketball Award. Juniors Kae' Seana Barth-Lofton, Breianna Smestad, and Kayla Jo Davis provide a great nucleus. Freshman Macy Smith and 8th grader Desiree Ware bring speed and athleticism.
Como has experience, too, in seniors Van Nett, Raiyne Adams, Autumn Tucker and Donnikka Patterson. In reality, however, this year's Como Park team is all about youth as the junior high kids have taken Cougarland by storm. Eight graders Ronnie Porter, K'Lynn Asberry, and Jada James, along with 7th grader Shania Nichols, are playing huge minutes and have stolen the spotlight from the seniors. Porter is a racehorse with great handles and a natural flair for the game. Asberry is a gifted point guard who distributes the ball well and scores at the rim. James is a big, strong power forward. Nichols, who is Van Nett's younger sister, is a defensive whirlwind who can knock down threes all day long. The four are combining for 32 points a game, and their energy and enthusiasm is infectious.
Add it all up and this is a compelling Game of the Week. There just might be another milestone reached on Monday night because one team or the other – maybe both! – could hit the century mark.
Como Park Cougars
- Makayla Van Nett, senior guard, 22 ppg
- Raiyne Adams, senior guard, 9.8
- Autumn Tucker, senior guard, 7.2
- Donnikka Patterson, senior center. 4.9
- Ronnie Porter, 8th grade guard, 11.5
- Jada James, 8th grade forward, 7.5
- K'Lynn Asberry, 8th grade guard, 6.3
- Shania Nichols (Van Nett), 7th grade guard, 7.1
Maranatha Christian Academy Mustangs
- Jaclyn Jarnot, senior forward, 17.8
- Kylie Post, senior wing, 14.8
- Kae' Seana Barth-Lofton, junior forward 9.7
- Breianna Smestad, junior guard, 8.7
- Kayla Jo Davis, junior guard, 5.6
- Sophia Montgomery, junior forward, 2.2
- Alainah Erickson, sophomore forward, 1.3
- Macy Smith, freshman guard, 6.9
- Desiree Ware, freshman guard, 7.1
Other games to watch this week
Tuesday
- Hermantown at Grand Rapids
- Marshall at New Ulm
Thursday
- Minneapolis South at Cooper
- Mountain Iron-Buhl at Bigfork
Friday
- Hayfield at Goodhue
- Red Wing at Owatonna
- Wayzata at Hopkins