Crossfire Theisen runs to 4-1 record at R4R

<p>As always when Minnesota’s top 2019s play, there was plenty of drama over the past weekend where Crossfire 10 Theisen, Fury 2019 Blue and Stars 10 Nelson were concerned. It would be too much to say thy continued their long-running rivalry, considering that the Crossfire and Stars Nelson were in Louisville and the Fury in Frisco, TX, and the Crossfire and Stars Nelson played in different divisions. Still, it’s always hard to watch one without looking over your shoulder at the others and trying to figure out how they’re comparing.</p> <p>Well, in a nutshell, Crossfire Theisen won its pool in the top-ranked 15U division at the Run 4 the Roses, the 15U Showcase division, at 4-0, then lost to one of the country’s top clubs, Boo Williams, in the division bracket. Stars Nelson won the 2nd-ranked 15U division, the Classic, at 6-0. Fury Blue won its division at the PBR tournament in Frisco, going 6-0. So, the 3 of them went 16-1. It’s tough getting a leg up with this group.</p> <p>It’s our intent to focus the spotlight on CFT this week. They didn’t win the state championship this year for the first time in 3 years, but they remain the scrappiest and most physical team you’re ever going to want to see and they mostly overpowered people in Louisville.</p> <p>• They hammered the GA Pearls 63-19 in their 1st game, running out to a 20-point lead after just 9 minutes of play. Bailey Reardon came off the bench to lead with 15 points while Kallie Theisen, Hannah Purcell and Jayda Johnston each scored 10.</p> <p>• They led the MD Sting by 21 at the half as Hannah Fransen hit 3 early 3s and Theisen had 4 2-and-1s in the half. From there they coasted to a 54-36 win. Theisen finished with 22, Fransen 12 and Taylie Scott 10 assists and 8 boards.</p> <p>• The third game vs. I-90 Elite 10th was closer—CFT led by 7 at the half and won 60-53. Theisen had 19 points, 11 boards and 6 blocks, Scott had 10, Kayle Nelson 9, Johnson 8 with 7 boards, and Purcell 7 boards.</p> <p>• NY Lightning was dispatched 43-24, though CFT had just a 6 point margin at the half. They then scored the 1st 8 points of the 2nd half to get a little more comfortable. Theisen had 14 with 7 rebounds, Purcell 14, Johnston 8, Nelson 9 rebounds and Cheyanne Carter 7 rebounds.</p> <p>• Then, in the bracket, CFT shocked Boo Williams by taking an early 7 point lead but Boo scored the final 7 points of the 1st half to lead by 4. They quickly pushed the lead to 14 in the 2nd half. They got within 6 but no closer. The final was 57-43, and Purcell scored 17 and Theisen 12 with 10 boards.</p> <p>I will spare you the math by saying that Theisen finished with 82 points in the 5 games, while Purcell scored 57.</p> <p><strong>Then on to Chi-Town</strong></p> <p>From Louisville, CFT then hoofed it back to Chicago for the Nike Nationals. There they went 2-3 playing in the same division as North Tartan 10 Tru, Fury 2019 Blue and North Tartan 9. They lost to Tartan Tru in their pool 64-58 after leading by 9 at the half. Tru got hot from beyond the arc in the 2nd half, according to coach Ken, to swing the game their way.</p> <p>Coach also reported that Kaylee Nelson had a bout of food poisoning on Monday and missed the Crossfire&#39;s 2 close losses to MD Belles 2019 65-59 and Fever Elite 69-65.</p> <p>CFE finished out of bracket play here at 2-3, and 6-4 for the week so in this case (in Chicago), most of the drama was supplied by the other 3 teams mentioned. Fury 2019 Blue edged Tartan 9 52-50 in their pool, but Tartan 9 ended up getting 1st place in that pool. Tartan 9 then defeated Tartan Tru 47-30 in the division final.</p> <p>CFT will suit up twice more this year at the Tartan Meltdown and then the Battle of the Best in Ames, IA, to close out the year. Coach Ken Theisen tweeted, “Good July trip for the team. Now back to TC to get some rest and then get back in the gym to keep getting better.”</p>