High School Players/Teams Observations

[brookyone]

he he...Good one ARM, I'll just bet they did tho...probably followed her home too.

[goalie8pucks]

Does anyone have any idea why Sara Parsons has suddenly disappeared from the Assabet radar? I know she is still playing with Nobles, so she can't be injured. Also, is Helen Resor back playing at Nobles? She hasn't played any Assabet games either. Will they play at nationals? Assabet needs to defend their title.

[PUCKMASTER]

Both are rostered for nationals with Assabet. Sara Parsons is a mystry she plays when she wants to play not a coaches delight to have on your team with an attitude about playing. Helen on the other hand is still not a 100% back from her injury last fall in soccer and she may need to have another operation on her leg after the season.
Helen is still taking her time with her High School team and will probably join the team full time after March 3rd.

[insidethepark]

I have heard that Helen is headed to Yale. Can anyone confirm?

[goalie8pucks]

I was at the BC game yesterday and heard that Parsons hadn't played her ten games for the state tournament. How can she be rostered on a national bound team if she has not fulfilled her commitment?
I would assume if Resor hasn't been skating Assabet, how could she have fulfilled her 10 games either. It will be interesting to see who plays in the states and which team goes to nationals.

[brookyone]

Well, it has arrived. Minnesota class AA girls state hockey tournament. Down to eight teams with all section champions decided as of 2/21. All tournament games being held at Ridder arena.

In the first quarterfinal it's Eagan vs. North St. Paul. Two very nice teams. Players to watch are Eagan's Jenelle Philipczyk, Ashley Reinhardt & Molly Doyle. Together these three form the top scoring line in class AA. For North St. Paul the player to watch is #21 Allie Thunstrom, a player capable of overpowering opposing teams with end to end rushes ala Krissy Wendell, as well as a talented group of fowards including Sara Johnson & Jacki Hoeft. This should be an excellent game...my pick, North St. Paul.

Second quarterfinal is Eden Prairie vs. 2 time defending champion South St. Paul. Megan Mccarthy & Meghan Pezon are two of Eden Prairies scoring threats. For South St. Paul, it's a long list. Ashley Young, Maggie Fisher, Amanda Storh, Felicia Nelson to name a few, the list goes on & on. Still, this promises to be another good game but I'm picking South St. Paul here.

Third quarterfinal has Elk River playing Anoka. The only two players I'm slightly familiar with here are Anoka's Kala Buganski and Elk River's Anya Miller, both were all state last season & I think played to those expectations this year too. I think Elk River will win this one.

Last quarterfinal is between Lakeville & Chisago. Two teams I confess to knowing nothing about. I'm going to pick Lakeville just because I've heard their name more & they play in what many consider the states toughest conference, the Lake conference, with three teams making the tournament.

If by some Miracle my quarterfinal picks play out, that would make the first semifinal North St. Paul vs. South St. Paul. My pick here...drumroll...my upset pick of the tourny / century...North St. Paul. (What am I nut's ?)

Second semifinal it's Elk River over Lakeville which I think most would agree on as the favorite in this matchup.

And the championship, I'll take North St. Paul to win the title.

That's it, we'll see how much crow I end up eating...if NSP should lose in the quarterfinals it's going to be alot...I can always delete the whole post. :p

[brookyone]

http://www.twincities.com/mld/twincities/sports/high_school/8011860.htm

http://www.twincities.com/mld/twincities/sports/high_school/8011348.htm

http://www.twincities.com/mld/twincities/sports/high_school/8012046.htm

http://www.twincities.com/mld/twincities/sports/high_school/8006769.htm






Some recaps of the weekends section championship games. I watched a couple of these games. The Saturday night final between North St. Paul & Blaine had a completely packed house with high school bands & loud, enthusiastic & downright raucous fans, a great atmosphere. It would be fantastic to have this kind of atmosphere at the local D 1 college games. I'm told by reliable sources the South St. Paul / Hastings final was equally packed & atmospheric.

[ARM]

SSP & Hastings was also a very physical game. Bodies flying in all directions, and many players getting up slowly. If these big crowds continue, I'd guess that some of the tourney games at Ridder will sell out.

[brookyone]

ARM, I can't get away for the afternoon games but was planning on taking in the Elk River game thurs. night. Wonder if I'll be able to get in ?

[ARM]

While the Thursday night session is often one of the the most attended, the Lakeville vs. CL/PC matchup doesn't figure to draw much attention outside of those teams and their fans. If the upper and lower brackets were reversed, then I think Thursday night would sell out. But not everybody who wants to see the second game is there for the first.

[PUCKMASTER]

Originally posted by goalie8pucks
I was at the BC game yesterday and heard that Parsons hadn't played her ten games for the state tournament. How can she be rostered on a national bound team if she has not fulfilled her commitment?
I would assume if Resor hasn't been skating Assabet, how could she have fulfilled her 10 games either. It will be interesting to see who plays in the states and which team goes to nationals.


Assabet Midget teams play over 35 plus games before states, no problem for Parsons to have a least 10 games she would have all that before Jan 1. Resor will have a medical release if she is physically able to play.

[MSUMavsPuckFan]

Originally posted by brookyone
For North St. Paul the player to watch is #21 Allie Thunstrom, a player capable of overpowering opposing teams with end to end rushes ala Krissy Wendell, as well as a talented group of fowards including Brittany Wiger & Sara Johnson. This should be an excellent game...my pick, North St. Paul.
Britney Wiger graduated from NSP last year and plays for MSU-Mankato now.

[brookyone]

Thank's for that info, my goof. I was looking at some old box scores I have mixed with some current. How is she doing this season ? MSU seems to be scooping up SSP & NSP talent left & right...can't have Thunstrom tho...need her at U of M. :) I did see MSU scouting section play at Richfield arena last week. Didn't notice anyone at the North St. Paul / Blaine final though.

[ARM]

Weekend games are tougher to scout, because the college teams have their own games.

[MSUMavsPuckFan]

Originally posted by brookyone
How is she doing this season?
Played in about half the games, no points yet.

[ARM]

First team:

http://www.startribune.com/stories/526/4625115.html

Second/third team:

http://www.startribune.com/stories/526/4624545.html

Player of the Year - Erica McKenzie:

http://www.startribune.com/stories/526/4625051.html

Past winners:

http://www.startribune.com/stories/526/4624502.html

[brookyone]

http://www.twincities.com/mld/twincities/sports/high_school/8024100.htm

Had to post this. I've watched this young lady play several times & she's one of my favorites to watch. Coaches comments are 100% accurate.


Wow !! Fisher, Young & Thunstrom all third team. Must be loads of talent out there. Those three would be 2nd team at worst if I were choosing. A lot of girls put up some amazing numbers this year. This November's early signing period is going to be very interesting...the year after as well.

[brookyone]

http://mshsl.org/mshsl/index.asp

The MSHSL site with a couple factoids on upcoming tournament & the relatively short history / growth of the event.

[brookyone]

While the tournament begins the debate over the girls state high school tournament site simmers on the back burner. Here are some opinions from the players themselves.

http://www.twincities.com/mld/twincities/sports/high_school/8041653.htm

[MSUMavsPuckFan]

Originally posted by ARM
First team:

http://www.startribune.com/stories/526/4625115.html

Two future Mavericks on the first team.... great to see the Vizenor bringing in top talent to keep up with the Joneses.