Hamline’s Pat Patterson Tourney Matchups Here

<p>Thanks to new Hamline women’s coach Alex Focke, formerly the men’s assistant there on Snelling Avenue, for sending over the matchups for the Friday-Saturday, November 28-29 tournament at Joe Hutton Arena. And, good luck to coach Focke in his new role and his new challenge. Here are all of the matchups.</p> <p><strong>Friday November 24</strong></p> <p><strong>12 noon St. Paul Central vs. Bloomington Kennedy</strong></p> <p>Two perennial powers who have not been seen at the state tournament in an unusually long time. Central has sophomore bulldog Aliza Karlen in the post. Kennedy features the athletic Zaraya March on the wing. Toss-up.</p> <p><strong>1:45 p.m. New Prague vs. Stillwater</strong></p> <p>New Prague has a new coach in Luke Swedberg and some new faces after Maizie Deihl, Taylor Hustad and several others move on to a new phase of their lives, as did 41-year coach Ron Gunderson. Stillwater has no such problems with Willie Taylor and Sara Scalia back, though they’ll both be worked at integrated the young but multi-talented freshman Alexis Pratt into their system. Advantage Stillwater.</p> <p><strong>3:30 Orono vs. St. Paul Como Park</strong></p> <p>Not quite the matchup this would have been the past few years, as Orono’s Tori Andrew (graduated) and Como’s junior power forward Elaina Jones (transferred to DeLaSalle) will not be playing in this one. Still, you can (and should) see 6-0 Maddie Loder go against 5-0 Autumn Tucker at the point guard spots. Toss-up.</p> <p><strong>5:15 Mpls. North vs. Mounds View</strong></p> <p>The Mustangs feature 6-1 sophomore Lindsey Becher, while the Polars will send out a swarm of guards in the 5-2 to 5-6 range. Advantage North.</p> <p><strong>7 p.m. Eastview vs. White Bear Lake</strong></p> <p>Perennial powers. At this stage you’d have to say Eastview has more weapons for 2017-2018. Advantage Eastview.</p> <p><strong>Saturday November 25</strong></p> <p><strong>12 noon Mpls. North vs. St. Paul Central</strong></p> <p>Not at all unlikely to be a preview of the TC Game. Advantage North.</p> <p><strong>1:45 Mounds View vs. St. Paul Como Park</strong></p> <p>Como’s pressure defense is the difference. Advantage Como.</p> <p><strong>3:30 Stillwater vs. Bloomington Kennedy</strong></p> <p>Stillwater has the experience. Advantage Stillwater.</p> <p><strong>5:15 p.m. New Prague vs. White Bear Lake</strong></p> <p>White Bear will swarm the Trojans with their 10-deep rotation in this one. Advantage White Bear.</p> <p><strong>7 p.m. Eastview vs. Orono</strong></p> <p>No, I don’t think Orono is ready for this challenge this early in the season.</p> <p><strong>Individuals You Must See…</strong></p> <p><strong>Center—</strong>Liza Karlen, St. Paul Central, kicking off her sophomore year, now widely recognized as one of Minnesota’s best; and more young posts in New Prague’s Emily Russo and Mounds View’s Lindsey Becher</p> <p><strong>Power Forward—</strong>Megan Walstad, Eastview, another of Minnesota’s best, and youngster Amanda Giesen, New Prague</p> <p><strong>Wings—</strong>Quick scorers Alani Pettis, Mpls. North, and Zaraya March, Kennedy</p> <p><strong>Point Guard—</strong>The clinic is in session with Maddie Loder, Orono, and Sara Scalia, Stillwater; and find it who is the Eastview 1</p> <p><strong>Shooting Guard—</strong>Makayla Van Nett, St. Paul Como, is one of Minnesota’s top 3-point shooters, and watch Macy Guebert take charge for Eastview</p>