Eastview rolls on

By David La Vaque, Star Tribune, 03/14/12, 2:00PM CDT

Lightning control Class 4A quarterfinal against St. Michael-Albertville

Eastview vs. St. Michael-Albertville

Class 4A quarterfinals of the 2012 state tournament. Photos by Brian Peterson, Star Tribune

Off-balance shots and failed layup attempts throughout the first half prepared St. Michael-Albertville girls’ basketball coach Kent Hamre for what the statistics would make clear.

Eastivew’s defense was dictating the game, causing the Knights frustration that Hamre had not seen since early-season games against Hopkins and Bloomington Kennedy.

“We were forcing a lot in the first half and it was pretty evident because we shot 22 percent,” Kent Hamre said. “Their defense took us out of a lot of things that we like to do.”

No.4 seed Eastview (25-5) built a 55-41 victory in its Class 4A state tournament quarterfinal game with tough first-half defense. An early 9-1 run gave the Lightning a double-digit lead they would hold much of the game.

With the victory, the Lightning advance to Thursday semifinal against No. 1 Hopkins.

“We pride ourselves on defense,” Eastview coach Melissa Guebert said. “The kids were really aware of who the shooter was.”

Guebert’s freshman daughter, Madison, scored 10 points in the first half. She tied Paige Palkovich for the team-high with 15. Amber Mehr added 10 points, all in the second half.

“We’re counting on our seniors right now and she did a nice job,” Melissa Guebert said.

St. Michael-Albertville (22-8) senior standout Christine Thorn scored a game-high 19 points and hit five three-pointers. She kept her team afloat by scoring nine of its points on three-pointers during one stretch.

“She was doing whatever she could to not let her season end,” Hamre said.

DAVID LA VAQUE

Three Stars

Paige Palkovich, Eastview
Scoring nine of her 15 points from the free throw line, Palkovich iced the game in the final minutes. Her ability to draw fouls while taking the ball through the lane kept her team on the offensive end.

Amber Mehr, Eastview

Completing a double-double in the state tournament is no easy task. Mehr pulled down 12 rebounds including six on the offensive end. Those offensive boards would help her drop in ten of her own points.

Christine Thorn, St. Michael-Albertville

Thorn pumped some life back into the STMA crowd with a flurry of three pointers late in the second half that brought the Knights to within 8 points. Her five made shots from behind the arc would lead all players.

-Jake Lunemann, MN Girls Basketball Hub Staff