[After a one-day delay to recover from our third measurable snowfall of the season, our Cardinals opened the section 8AAA girls’ basketball tournament with an expected easy win over the Sauk Rapids/Rice Storm . . .]
[The brackets followed form. The four remaining teams – a’ la the boys’ hockey section – can be tossed in a hat and whoever has the hot night will win. I should note that the Storm did win 9 games this year, are very young, and appear to be a program heading in the right direction.]
A video of the first several minutes, the Cards appeared determined to end any mysteries early:
***
[Macy, Kayla, and Kendall form a defensive wall making front court penetration difficult for the Storm.]
[Macy had her usual all-around good game . . . a little concerned she’s been getting into foul trouble lately.]
[Good shot of the ref’s back, Obert, while Kiyana and Emma play defense in the background.]
[Emma made both – she would have been challenged to do that earlier in the year.]
[Cheyenne cuts to the hole . . . ]
[Kendall dribbles around the defense . . . ]
[Likely fed Brooke, who played playmaker in this game.]
[We kept feeding Cheyenne in the low post, and she obliged with a terrific game.]
[Will it drop?]
[Cheyenne’s smiling . . . must have hit another lay-up.]
[Kohler’s keeping a close eye on things . . . ]
[While just behind her, Kiyana is reporting a Kim Kardashian sighting.]
[Macy here – the team was 16 – 21 from the line in the game. That will win a lot of games.]
[Brooke’s shot is captured by the Echo Press.]
[The ref signals a 3 (or giving the ‘OK’ sign?), while Cheyenne tries to track down the elusive ball.]
[Carly looks for a cutter.]
[Get it, get it!!]
[Cheyenne makes a freebie.]
[The 2nd half went to running time early and our JV team basically finished off the last half that half.]
[I marvel at The Competition. He got all the way down to floor, and then all the way back up again.]
[Arrghhh, more competition! The Echo Press.]
[No. 1 for the Storm is only an 8th-grader . . .]
[But then No. 1 for us, Emma, is only a sophomore. The pass in to begin the 2nd half.]
[Kayla is part of the regular rotation. From game-to-game, it’s hard to tell what that rotation may be. Sometimes 7 or 8, but can go to 10.]
[Kelby is a defensive stopper and brings high energy offense.]
[Gimme that ball!]
[Noted music fan in the audience.]
[Kiyana brings an athletic defensive presence.]
[Game over. Would the last person to leave the building please turn out the lights!]
Behind every successful man is a surprised woman. ~ Maryon Pearson
Up next: I honestly don’t know.
alexandriacardinals 