Farmington came into tonight with a 4-0 conference record and a stealing overall record of 11-1. The Tigers even held the number two spot in the Minnesota Basketball News Class 4A Top Ten entering the game. In fact, Farmington's only loss was to the number one team on that same list, Hopkins.
Apple Valley on the other hand, had a rough start to the 2019-2020 season. The Eagles started off the season with five consecutive road or neutral site games and lost them all. That run included losses to two other top ten teams, Centennial and Hopkins.
After that 0-5 start, the Eagles pulled off an upset of Lakeville North that sparked a 5-2 run. Last week they outpaced Prior Lake 77-64 behind 29 points from senior point guard, Kalena Myers. This Tuesday night match up presented them with an opportunity to tie Farmington atop the conference and fully put the rough start well behind them.
Farmington jumped out to a quick 7-0 early lead prompting an early Eagles time out. There was the feeling the game could quickly turn into a blow out. However, foul trouble for two of Farmington's primary ball handlers, Peyton Blandin and Molly Mogensen picking up two fouls each before half way through the first half.
Apple Valley used pressure to deny the ball in to Farmington Center Sophie Hart. Often this sernved to disrupt the Tiger offense. The Eagles pressure forced a few turnovers before the half to cut the lead to 7. Myers led the team with 17 first half points.
Myers pouring in the points and the foul trouble for Blandin and Mogensen were not the only ingredients in the Eagles recipe for success in the first half. Farmington's Paige Kindseth appeared to badly turn an ankle and missed time in the first half as well. With arguably three of the Tigers top players providing limited minutes, Apple Valley had to have hoped for less than a 7 point half time disadvantage.
The atmosphere leading into half time was tense. Both teams took nearly all of half time seemingly working on strategy in the locker rooms rather than warming up on the court. The strategy worked more efficiently for Farmington - they quickly extended their lead.
Farmington's depth was a challenge for Apple Valley. For the season, the Tigers had four starters averaging more than 11 points a game. Blandin, Mogensen, Kindseth and Hart took turns providing offense in the second half. Mogensen and Kindseth had several bursts of scoring. Mogensen worked her way to the rim for lap ups and floaters. She even got to the line several times.
Kindseth looked recovered from whatever ankle issue she experienced in the second half and dominated with her shooting. She has very efficient form and her motion is consistent. Each shot looked smooth and likely to go in. She has a quick trigger and is reminiscient of Lakeville North's Lauren Jensen, who recently made a commitment to the University of Iowa.
The Tigers consistently extended their lead behind Mogensen, Hart, Blandin and Kindseth. Myers wasn't able to continue her profilic pace from the first half for Apple Valley. Eagles senior, Anna Mutch, recently commited to University of Wisconsin - Stout, worked to get to the line and attempt to extend the game. Mutch was often matched up with Farmington's Hart, despite a substantial height disadvantage.
However, even continued foul trouble for Mogensen and Blandin couldn't help Apple Valley get back into the game. The benches were emptied and in the end, Farmington improved to 12-1 on the season and 5-0 in the South Suburban conference. Apple Valley fell to 3-2 in the conference 5-8 overall.
Big time college ball could easily be in the cards for several of the Tigers if they continue to improve. With a starting lineup that features three juniors and is already ranked #2 in the state, the future looks bright for the Tigers.
Apple Valley used pressure to deny the ball in to Farmington Center Sophie Hart. Often this sernved to disrupt the Tiger offense. The Eagles pressure forced a few turnovers before the half to cut the lead to 7. Myers led the team with 17 first half points.
Myers pouring in the points and the foul trouble for Blandin and Mogensen were not the only ingredients in the Eagles recipe for success in the first half. Farmington's Paige Kindseth appeared to badly turn an ankle and missed time in the first half as well. With arguably three of the Tigers top players providing limited minutes, Apple Valley had to have hoped for less than a 7 point half time disadvantage.
The atmosphere leading into half time was tense. Both teams took nearly all of half time seemingly working on strategy in the locker rooms rather than warming up on the court. The strategy worked more efficiently for Farmington - they quickly extended their lead.
Farmington's depth was a challenge for Apple Valley. For the season, the Tigers had four starters averaging more than 11 points a game. Blandin, Mogensen, Kindseth and Hart took turns providing offense in the second half. Mogensen and Kindseth had several bursts of scoring. Mogensen worked her way to the rim for lap ups and floaters. She even got to the line several times.
Kindseth looked recovered from whatever ankle issue she experienced in the second half and dominated with her shooting. She has very efficient form and her motion is consistent. Each shot looked smooth and likely to go in. She has a quick trigger and is reminiscient of Lakeville North's Lauren Jensen, who recently made a commitment to the University of Iowa.
The Tigers consistently extended their lead behind Mogensen, Hart, Blandin and Kindseth. Myers wasn't able to continue her profilic pace from the first half for Apple Valley. Eagles senior, Anna Mutch, recently commited to University of Wisconsin - Stout, worked to get to the line and attempt to extend the game. Mutch was often matched up with Farmington's Hart, despite a substantial height disadvantage.
However, even continued foul trouble for Mogensen and Blandin couldn't help Apple Valley get back into the game. The benches were emptied and in the end, Farmington improved to 12-1 on the season and 5-0 in the South Suburban conference. Apple Valley fell to 3-2 in the conference 5-8 overall.
Big time college ball could easily be in the cards for several of the Tigers if they continue to improve. With a starting lineup that features three juniors and is already ranked #2 in the state, the future looks bright for the Tigers.
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