Highland Park Edges Burnsville, Late Box

#1 posting 4.26.2007
your daily dose of badminton news & information

WEDNESDAY RESULTS
MINNEAPOLIS
I reported on Washburn's 5-2 win over Southwest last night. It was Washburn's third straight win. South swept North 7-0. No word on the Henry/Roosevelt contest.

ST. PAUL
#1 Harding swept Humboldt 7-0. Johnson kept up its winning ways with a 6-1 win over Arlington. Central beat Como Park 5-2.

NON CON
Highland Park edged Burnsville 4-3. It was the third straight St. Paul game for Burnsville this week.

LATE BOX
Here is the Washburn/Henry box score from Monday, April 23
WASHBURN 4, HENRY 3
Three of Washburn's wins went three games. At first and third singles the Millers lost the first game and took the next two. First doubles Mai Vang & Xee Lee split the first two games, but came back to get the crucial third in a tight 21-19 win in game three. Dani Sack won two tight games at second singles.
SINGLES
1 Rina Maetzo (W) def. Mai Vang Vang 10-21, 21-5, 21-11
2. Dani Sack (W) def. Lisa Thao 21-18, 22-20
3. Maly Yi (W) def. Choua Pha 12-21, 22-20, 21-14
4. Hnia Yang (H) def. Sarah Radcliffe 21-14, 21-12
DOUBLES
1. Mai Vang/Xee Lee (W) def. Yer Yang/Mai Chia Yang 21-16, 18-21, 21-19
2. Yer Yang/Choua Yang (H) def. Jennie Harrop/Monticha Puthwong 21-9, 21-10
3. Dia Lee/Bao Lee (H) def. Xee Vue/Nicole Weishaar 21-9, 21-16

SINGLES
Matches: Washburn 3-1 .750
Games: Washburn 6-4 .600
Points: Washburn 176-172 .506
decided by 10+: Washburn 2-0
decided by 3 or less: Washburn 3-0
DOUBLES
matches: Henry 2-1 .667
games: Henry 5-2 .714
points: Henry 140-104 .574
decided by 10+: Henry 3-0
decided by 3: 1-1

If you send me the results I will post them.

Next up: later tonight with another out & about.

Out & About: Washburn/Southwest

#2 posting 4.25.2007
your daily dose of badminton news & information

MINNEAPOLIS WASHBURN millers 5
MINNEAPOLIS SOUTHWEST lakers 2

Washburn beat Southwest for the second time this year. In the first contest Washburn beat a short handed Southwest team 4-3. Southwest was at full strength today and Washburn kept up its recent hot string with the victory. The Millers have won three in a row including 4-3 wins over conference leader Edison and another 4-3 effort against Henry.

Washburn's biggest margin win was at first single (see story below). The other wins had tightrope qualities. Dani Sack at Second singles combined margin of victory was 6 points, at second doubles the pair of Montisha Puthwong and Jennie Harrop had two wins by two points. Washburn also took two of the three matches that went to three games. At fourth singles Sarah Radcliffe sandwiched her wins. At first doubles Mai Vang and Xee Lee won games two and three.

FIRST SINGLES
In the first contest between Washburn's Rina Maetzo and Southwest's Martha Streng Maetzo won 13 and 18. Today Maetzo cut that 31 points down to 18 with a 10, 7 win. First a bit about the tight, tight gym atmosphere at Southwest. The backline is flush up on the bleachers so the racket has no swing room. A player needs to claim a let if there was interference. The let was only called once, but it did play a part in not going after birds, and mistaken judgements.

As you can see from the numbers below Maetzo had big runs and she started off with 7 straight points, 6 after a side out. In that initial run Maetzo had two aces. Streng was on the bleachers in this game. Maetzo added six more on her second serve to put it at 14-3. Maetzo didn't side out against Streng except on serve one, four and five. The closest Streng got was 17-9. Maetzo's last three points came on hitting errors 21-10.

Streng got the side out on Maetzo's first serve, but that was the last time. These games were pretty short. For example Streng only had four services in game two. This compares to the 14 in the 3rd doubles yesterday between Thao and Kieffaber. At first singles yesterday there were 11 serves per game. So points were coming pretty easily. Anyhow Streng led 3-0 with two aces (Maetzo was on the bleacher side). With a missed serve Maetzo got the bird for the first time, and she ran off five points in a row for a 6-3 lead. Maetzo continued to get at least one point off her serve. She led 13-7 when Maetzo got the serve for the fifth time. Streng never got the bird again as Maetzo rolled off 8 straight points including two aces (points 19 and 20). In another indication of how fast the game took place the time for both games checked in at 10:27. That was about how long one 3rd doubles game lasted yesterday.

SIDEOUTS:
Maetzo 4/10 .400; Streng 2/10 .200
SERVE RUNS:
Maetzo 5--longest 8
POINTS:
Maetzo 42 Winners 24: Smashes 6 (1 poke); Drops 6; Drives 5 (1 soft); Aces 5; Clears 2
Streng Errors 18: hitting 15 (Wide 7, Net 6m, Fan 1, Deep 1); serving 3 (deep, net, wide).
Streng 18: Winners 11: Clears 6, Aces 2, Smashes 2, Drives 1 (1 soft)
Maetzo Errors 7: hitting 6 (net 4, wide 2), serving 1 (wide)
Time: 10:42

SINGLES
1. Rina Maetzo (W) def. Martha Streng 21-10, 21-7
2. Dani Sack (W) def. Astia Roper-Batker 21-17, 23-21
3. Emma Kullberg (SW) def Maly Yi 21-13, 21-12
4. Sarah Radcliffe (W) def Sarah Abdelwalhab 21-17, 20-22, 21-17
DOUBLES
1. Mai Vang/Xee Lee (W) def Anna Yarborough/Maya Adler 16-21, 21-16, 21-14
2. Montisha Puthwong/Jennie Harrop (W) def Alba Bilani/Abby Knutson 24-22, 21-19
3. Betsy Multoy/Camille Mahlum (SW) def Zee Vue/Nicole Weishaar 21-18, 21-23, 21-19

BY THE NUMBERS
SINGLES
Matches: Washburn 3-1 .750
Games: Washburn 6-3 .667
Points: Washburn 173-153 .531
decided by 10+: Washburn 2-0
decided by 3 or less: 1-1
DOUBLES
matches: Washburn 2-1 .667
games: Washburn 5-3 .625
points: Washburn 163-155 .513
decided by 10+: none
decided by 3: Washburn 3-2 .600

Next up: tomorrow morning

Eden Prairie Sweeps Edison

#1 posting 4.25.2007
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NON CON TUESDAY
Yesterday I reported on the Johnson/Burnsville contest. Also yesterday Eden Prairie swept Minneapolis leader Edison 7-0.

check out the unofficial poll rankings on the link list.

Next up: later today with another out & about. No Johnson viewing today.

Out & About: Johnson/Burnsville

#2 posting 4.24.2007
your daily dose of badminton news & information

ST. PAUL JOHNSON governors 6
BURNSVILLE blaze 1

St. Paul Johnson turned the tables on Burnsville with a convincing 6-1 win. Burnsville beat the Governors earlier this season in Burnsville 4-3. This match was a battle for second seed in the state and Johnson put forth their case. Johnson will move to second now in my informal poll.

For the third straight game a new #1 singles took the court for Johnson, with Pakou Vang heading the singles. Yesterday's #1, Pang Thao, won at second singles. Ye Thao, who partned with Pakou Vang at #1 doubles yesterday, won a marathon match at third singles. The only holdover from yesterday was Desirae Garcia at fourth singles.

With Vang and Thao going back to singles, the pair of Karen Obermeyer-Kolb/Kia Thao moved from 2nd to 1st doubles. Yesterday's 3rd pair Mai Ka Yang/Bellick Pha moved to 2nd and Kao Lee Xiong/Kao Nou Vue took over at 3rd.

Burnsville squeezed out a win at second doubles in three games. Brittany Pomijie/Erica Andreason was a new pair from the three games I have seen previously for the Blaze. Other roster moves included Ciara Hogenson moving up one spot from 3rd to 2nd singles and Jenny Kieffaber flipflopping spots. Heidi Werness checked in at fourth for the first time in my viewing. First doubles remained the same, but, as stated before the 2nd doubles were new, and the third doubles was also new with Anna Trachsel and Lexy Drayton.

This marked the third straight match where I have seen Johnson. I am not stalking them, but the schedule had the more compelling games lined up for them and so I was there.

FIRST SINGLES
Pakou Vang started off with a 3-0 lead and that set the tempo for the game. Vang's side out game was strong with six straight side outs to maintain the lead. Alvarez finally got a service point on her seventh serve with a soft drive. Vang, however, had more soft drives up her sleeve with five in the first game total. Vang maintained a 4 point advantage in the middle of the match and squeezed a point out of her last five serves for a big advantage. There were no big runs in this game, but the drip-drip-drip of one point per serve eventually brought victory. That coupled with the side out game with another four straight propelled Vang to victory.

Alvarez opened game two up 2-0 with two Vang hitting errors. Vang tied it at two and it remained fairly tight early on with Alvarez again testing the two point lead at 8-6. Vang took control with a 5-1 run to go up 12-9. Alvarez did pull even at 15 with a 6-3 run. Vang sided out with a soft drive and then piled up four straight points to put her on the verge 20-15. Alvarez held off for one point on a side out clear. Vang answered with a smash to finish the match.

SIDEOUTS: Vang 16/23 .696; Alvarez 10/21 .476
SERVE RUNS: Vang 1
POINTS:
Vang 43 * I had one more point in game two Winners 28: Drives 14 (soft 7), Drops 6, Smashes 4, Clears 1, Ace 1
Alvarez Errors 15: hitting 14 (wides 6, deeps 4, fans 2, ceilings 2, nets 2); serving 1
Alvarez 31: Winners 15: Drives 8 (soft 2); drops 5, clear 1, smash 1
Vang Errors 16: hitting 13 (net 7, deep 3, wide 2, fan 1), serving 3 (deep 3)
Time: 14:38

THIRD SINGLES
This was the tightest of the matches today. It had great defense, comebacks, diving plays, power and finesse. The first game started off with both Yee Thao and Jenny Kieffaber trading side outs for 7 straight serves. Thao broke the string with a service point on her 4th serve. Kieffaber matched her on her 5th serve. Thao put two drives together to take a 10-8 lead. Kieffaber tied it with Thao errors. Thao again pulled out to a 16-14 lead. Kieffaber came back to go up 18-17 on two Thao errors. Thao tied it to side out, but Kieffaber held Thao scoreless on her last two serves. Kieffaber scored on her 14th serve to make it 20-18. That was the difference.

Thao cranked up her game in the next two games with only four winners in game one. In game two she was more proactive with 15 winners. Thao took the early lead at 5-2 10-5, and 13-6 with a mixture of short and deep birds. Kieffaber was running the court. Thao was in command at 19-12. Kieffaber had to take a break to gas up with her inhaler twice at 17-11 and 17-12. Kieffaber did get on a roll late with a 7-2 run. She held off the finish with four straight service points on her 11th serve. But the accumulated drip-drip-drip points Thao squeezed out on 8 of her 10 serves took its toll. All Thao had to do was get one side out and she hung on for a drive for point 21-19. this game took 10:53 minutes.

Game three had Thao take the early lead once again. Thao led 5-2, and pushed to 17-10. Kieffaber had some great defensive work with her goalie reflexes stealing a point from Thao on point 17-13. That propelled Kieffaber to tie it at 19 with three points on her 10th serve. A fan ended her serve, and Thao used that opening to finish with a drive that handcuffed her.

Key in this match was the side out % with Thao holding a big advantage. Kieffaber had to move over the court more often than Thao and the asthma did catch up. But another big advantage was the 33-18 advantage in winners for Thao. Thao lost game one with only four winners.

SIDEOUTS:
Thao 22/34 .657; Kieffaber 15/35 .429
SERVE RUNS: Kieffaber 3, Thao 1
POINTS:
Thao 61: Winners: 33: Drives 11, Drops 11, Smashes 7, Clears 3, Aces 1
Kieffaber Errors 28: hitting 26 (net 13, fan 4, deep 3, ceiling 3, wide 3); serving 2 (wide 1, deep 1)
Kieffaber 58: Winners 18: Smashes 6, Drives 6, Drops 5, Clears 1
Thao Errors 40: hitting 32 (net 13, wide 10, deep 5, fan 4), serving 8 (deep 5, muff 2, short 1)
Time: 29:41

SINGLES
1. Pakou Vang (J) def Gabby Alvarez 21-16, 21-14
2. Pang Thao (J) def Ciara Hogenson 21-8, 21-15
3. Yee Thao (J) def Jenny Kieffaber 19-21, 21-19, 21-19
4. Desirae Garcia (J) def Heidi Werness 21-14, 21-10
DOUBLES
1. Karen Obermeyer-Kolb/Kia Thao (J) def Michelle Teigland/Lyndsay Mortenson 21-16, 21-13
2. Brittany Pomijie/Erica Andreason (B) def Mai Ka Yang/Bellick Pha 21-18, 18-21, 21-16
3. Kao Lee Xiong/Kao Nou Vue (J) def Andrea Trachsel/Lexy Drayton 21-9, 21-15

BY THE NUMBERS
SINGLES
Matches: Johnson 4-0 1.000
Games: Johnson 8-1 .889
Points: Johnson 187-136 .579
decided by 10+: Johnson 2-0
decided by 3 or less: Johnson 2-1
DOUBLES
matches: Johnson 2-1 .667
games: Johnson 5-2 .714
points: Johnson 139-113 .552
decided by 10+: Johnson 1-0
decided by 3: 1-1

Next up: tomorrow morning

Edison Takes Minneapolis Lead

#1 posting 4.24.2007
your daily dose of badminton news & information

YESTERDAY'S RESULTS
MINNEAPOLIS
Edison recovered from their loss last week with a 7-0 sweep of Roosevelt. That win plus Henry's 4-3 loss to Washburn puts Edison back in front in the City race. No word on Southwest at North.

ST. PAUL
I reported on Harding's 5-2 win over Johnson yesterday.
In other action it was Central over Arlington 4-3, and Highland Park with the same score over Humboldt.

In non con action it was Burnsville topping Como Park 5-2.

Thanks for the help and tips from the readers. You can email me with your information.

Next up: later today with another out & about.

Out & About: Harding/Johnson

#2 posting 4.23.2007
your daily dose of badminton news & information

ST. PAUL HARDING knights 5
ST. PAUL JOHNSON governors 2

Harding swept the singles, and took first doubles for a 5-2 win over Johnson. Earlier in the season Harding won 7-0. Johnson juggled their line up from Friday with Pakou Vang, back from a funeral, paired up at first doubles with Ye Thao, who has played 3rd singles most of the year. That moved the Johnson 1st doubles team of Obermeyer-Kolb and Thao down to second and that bumped Yang and Pha down to third. This is where Johnson picked up tight wins. Six of the doubles games were decided by four points or less. Both first and second doubles went three games and in both situations the winning pair had to rally for wins in game two and three.
In the Singles it was a clear advantage for Harding at one and two as they did not allow Johnson double digits in any of the four games. Fourth singles went the distance and it was a tight contest. Kazoua Yang took game three by three.

FIRST SINGLES
In the battle of Pang Thao it was Harding's defending state champion holding Johnson's Thao to 9 points in each game. Since both players are Pang Thao I will identify these players by school only. Johnson led early at 2-0. On Harding's second serve she regained the lead at 4-2 with three straight points. The last Johnson lead came after an ace at 5-4. But the main difference was the side out ability of both. The only side out Johnson had was on Harding's first serve. After that Harding scored on six straight serves. Johnson did not score after her second serve.

In the first game Harding used 11 gifts from Johnson for the win. Harding was much more active in game two. Her short ace game was working on the day with three that game and five for the match. Harding scored on serves 2-3, and 5-6 and led at points 16-5 and 20-7. Now I had the win at 21-8, but the match went on officially at 21-9 (or 22-9).

SIDEOUTS: Harding 11/14 .786; Johnson 4/15 .267
SERVE RUNS: Harding 6, Johnson 0
POINTS:
Harding 43* (by my count): Winners: 25: Drops 7, Drives 6, Aces 5, Clears 4, Smashes 3
Johnson Errors 18: hitting 18 (Net 9, Wide 9); serving 0
Johnson 18: Winners 11: Drive 6, Drops 4, Ace 1
Harding Errors 7: hitting 6 (Net 3, Wide 3), serving 1 (deep)

FOURTH SINGLES
Kazoua Yang won the first game 21-15 despite handing over 12 points on errors---especially serving errors. She had six in that game. Yang didn't put distance between herself and Garcia until her 6th serve. That is when she racked up four service points to take the lead 11-9. She scored on each serve after that with another run of three on her 8th serve to make it 18-12.

In game two Yang cleaned up her serve game, but Desirae Garcia delivered 8 points off of drops. Garcia did lead 8-5, but fell behind after Yang ran off three points on her 6th serve 10-8. Garcia tied it at 11 and then built her lead up to 16-13 after a smash. Yang tied it with three straight points. Both players traded side outs to 19-18 advantage Garcia. On Garcia's 12th serve she put in two drops for the win.

Garcia kept the momentum generated in game two as she built a 9-3 lead. Garcia had a run of six on her third serve. Again the drops were dropping with three points in the mix, but she never got a point off the drop after that. Yang fought back and tied it at 11 with a run of four. She was taking advantage of Garcia errors with three hitting errors. Yang jumped back in front 15-12 on her fifth serve with the clear game working for three of the four straight points. Garcia wasn't finished and had her own run of three service points on her 7th serve to go up 17-16. On Garcia's 8th serve Yang sided out with a drop to tie it at 18. Yang didn't give the bird up with three straight including an ace at 20 and a drive to finish up 21-18.

SIDEOUTS: Yang 14/29 .483; Garcia 12/29 .414
SERVE RUNS: Yang 6, Garcia 2
POINTS:
Yang 60: Winners: 33: Drops 14, Drives 10, Clears 6, Aces 2, Smash 1
Garcia Errors 27: hitting 18 (Net 12, wide 8, fan 3); serving 4 (wide 2, net 1, short 1)
Garcia 54: Winners 22: Drop 16, Drive 2, Smash 2, Clears 2
Yang Errors 32: hitting 23 (net 10, wide 5, drive 5, fan 3), serving 9 (deep 6, wide 3)

SINGLES
1. Pang Thao (H) def Pang Thao 21-9, 21-9
2. Mee Xiong (H) def Kao Xiong Lee 21-3, 21-9
3. Stephanie King (H) def Gina Garcia 21-15, ??
4. Kazoua Yang (H) def Desirae Garcia 21-15, 18-21, 21-18
DOUBLES
1. Dia Xiong/PaNhia Yang (H) def Pakou Vang/Ye Thao 21-23, 23-21, 21-13
2. Karen Obermeyer-Kolb/Kia Thao (J) def Pa Yang/Shee Xiong 18-21, 21-19, 21-18
3. Mai Ka Yang/Bellick Pha (J) def Mor Xiong/Mai Ngia Xiong 21-17, 21-13

BY THE NUMBERS
SINGLES
Matches: Harding 4-0 1.000
Games: Harding 8-1 .889
Points: Harding 186-99? .653
decided by 10+: Harding 4-0
decided by 3 or less: 1-1
DOUBLES
matches: Johnson 2-1 .667
games: Johnson 5-3 .625
points: Johnson 159-153 .510
decided by 10+: none
decided by 3: Johnson 3-2 .600

Next up: tomorrow morning

Week Ahead: Last week of April

#1 posting 4.23.2007
your daily dose of badminton news & information

THE WEEK AHEAD
Monday, April 23
MPLS
Edison at Roosevelt
Henry at Washburn
Southwest at North
STP
Highland Park at Humboldt
Central at Arlington
Harding at Johnson
NONCON
Burnsville at Como Park

Tuesday, April 24
Burnsville at Johnson
Edison at Eden Prairie

Wednesday, April 25
MPLS
Roosevelt at Henry
North at South
Washburn at Southwest
STP
Humboldt at Harding
Como Park at Central
Arlington at Johnson
NONCON
Highland Park at Burnsville

Thursday, April 26
MPLS
South at Edison
Southwest at Henry
Roosevelt at Washburn

Friday, April 27
Central at Harding
Arlington at Como Park

Next up: later today.

Humboldt Bumps Arlington

#1 posting 4.21.2007
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ST. PAUL ACTION
I reported on the Johnson 5-2 win over Como Park last night.

In other action Harding beat Highland Park, but HP did manage to get a game off Harding in a 6-1 loss.
Humboldt surprised Arlington 4-3.

Next up: monday morning.

Out & About: Johnson/Como Park

#2 posting 4.20.2007
your daily dose of badminton news & information

ST. PAUL JOHNSON governors 5
ST. PAUL COMO PARK cougars 2

Johnson won their fourth match of the week and their 6th St. Paul conference match with a 5-2 win over Como Park. Como Park bookened Johnson's wins by taking first singles and third doubles. The match was in the balance with Johnson up 3-2 when fourth singles and first doubles came in on the winning side for Johnson.

I got their at 3:12, but the matches were already rolling by then. They were scheduled for 3:15. It looks like I need to get to St. Paul events by 3 pm. Also for the second day in a row the doors were locked to the gyms. All the city schools have security in place, but the security guard at CP didn't even have keys to the gym.

Both teams have altered their line ups from previous viewings. Der Vang and Lee Fang flipped at 1 and 2 singles for CP, with the doubles all changed with either new partners or new positions. For Johnson, Kao Lee Xiong went from 2nd doubles to 1st singles, and Pang Thao went from 1st doubles to 2nd singles. Ye Thao dropped a spot to third singles, and Desiree Garcia took the spot of Gina Garcia at fourth. The doubles all were shuffled.

FIRST SINGLES
Apparently I came in when Der Vang of Como Park was up 15-9. Kao Lee Xiong started her comeback when I took out my red and black pens. She scored five in a row to close to 15-14. Both players then got involved in a side out game for the next six points. Vang was able to get point 19 on a clear for a side out and then never gave the serve back with a drive and a fan for a 21-17 win in game one.

Game two was tight throughout. Kao Lee Xiong had the early advantage with a 6-4 lead after a drop. Der Vang got the side out and then ran off four straight service points including one ace. That put her up 9-6. Vang pushed the lead up to 13-9. Xiong started to rally with three points to 13-12. Vang kept the lead until My records indicated that Xiong jumped up out in front with four straight points to go up 20-18. Two side outs later I had Xiong winning 21-19, but the game went on. Vang added two points to make it 21 all in my book. A drop gave the advantage to Xiong, but she missed her next serve. Then on Vang's serve Xiong put the birdie in the net and it was over 24-22 officially, 23-22 in my book.

This is my biggest complaint about badminton. No one really screams out the score. That needs to be a point of emphasis. I don't think players are knowingly fudging the score, but they probably get too wrapped up in play.

When looking at these numbers remember that it this is a number crunching for part of game one and all of game two.
SIDEOUTS: Vang s; Xiong x
SERVE RUNS: Xiong 2, Vang 1
POINTS:
Vang 28: Winners: 14 Drives 8, Clears 2, Drops 2, Smash 1, Aces 1
Xiong Errors 14: hitting 12 (fans 6, net 5, general 1); serving 3 (deep 3)
Xiong 30: Winners 20: Drops 7, Drives 5, Smashes 5, Clears 1, Aces 1, Unknown 1
Vang Errors 10: hitting 10 (net 5, deep 3, fan 2), serving 0

SINGLES
1. Der Vang (CP) def. Kao Lee Xiong 21-17, 24-22
2. Pang Thao (J) def. Lee Fang 21-16, 17-21, 21-11
3. Ye Thao (J) def. Mai Yer Lee 21-12, 21-14
4. Desiree Garcia (J) def. Shaundera Worrell 21-10, 21-16
DOUBLES
1. Karen Obermeyer-Kolb/Kia Thao (J) def Shelly Thao/Panhia Lee 21-17, 24-22
2. Mai Ka Yang/Bellick Pha (J) def Mai Tia Yang/Khoua Yang 21-17, 21-15
3. Nou Fang/Mai Ka Vang (CP) def Kao Nou Vue/Shang Thao 21-12, 21-16

BY THE NUMBERS
SINGLES
Matches: Johnson 3-1 .750
Games: Johnson 6-3 .667
Points: Johnson 182-145 .557
decided by 10+: Johnson 2-0
decided by 3 or less: Como Park 1-0
DOUBLES
matches: Johnson 2-1 .667
games: Johnson 4-2 .667
points: Johnson 115-113 .504
decided by 10+: none
decided by 3: Johnson 1-0

Next up: tomorrow morning

Washburn Scrambles Minneapolis Race

#1 posting 4.20.2007
your periodic dose of badminton news & information

THURSDAY RESULTS
MINNEAPOLIS
Washburn upset Minneapolis leader Edison 4-3. Edison and Henry each have one loss in the conference race.
As reported yesterday Henry beat North 6-1.
There is no word on Roosevelt and South.
There are some late results that haven't been reported before
Edison beat North 7-0 earlier in the week on Tuesday.
Henry edged South 4-3 last Thursday, but lost to Burnsville 7-0 on Tuesday.

STATE TOURNAMENT SITES
The Team State tournament will be held at higher sites on the Tuesday the 15th with the finals at Burnsville on the Wednesday the 16th.
The individual round will take place on Thursday the 17th and Friday and the 18th at Eden Prairie.

Next up: later tonight

Out & About: Henry/North

#2 posting 4.19.2007
your daily dose of girls basketball news & information

MINNEAPOLIS HENRY patriots 6
MINNEAPOLIS NORTH polars 1

Henry almost swept their neighbor with North holding out at third doubles. The doubles had tighter games with three going down to two points. Henry had a change at first singles with Lisa Thao taking over in place of Mai Vang. With the win Henry is 7-4 overall 6-1 in conference, second in Minneapolis behind Edison. North is 3-5.

FIRST SINGLES
Lisa Thao stepped up from second singles to win her first singles match against Nadvia Davis. Thao did so despite losing the first game 21-14. Thao led in game one as she scored on her first three serves 6-2. Davis closed with a flourish as she out scored Thao 11-2. Davis had two service runs of three or better to close out game one. Davis used the clear to advantage in the first five point run, and she used Thao errors for three of the last four points. I only counted 20 points but it goes in the books 21-14.

Game two was almost the opposite. Davis led early 6-2. Thao scored on three of four serves to edge forward 11-10, Thao used three straight hitting errors to get the lead. Davis went back up 13-12. Then Thao edged forward with a drop shot 18-16, after a hitting error Davis got the serve back. A Davis error returned the serve to Thao. She cleared for point 20, but then four straight errors put Davis up 21-20 and on the brink. Thao held off with a drop and then on her own serve closed out with a fan by Davins and then a drive 23-21.

Thao zoomed forward early with a 6-0 service run to open game three. The pendulum swung back to Davis with five straight points. Davis used a soft drive for two of the points. The points Davis was getting came courtesy of Thao hitting errors. The closest Davis got was 10-9, Thao topped the match off with five straight points, two of which were clears.

SIDEOUTS: Thao 18/30---.600; Davis 15/31---.484
SERVE RUNS: Davis 4, Thao 2
POINTS:
Thao 58: Winners: 24 Clears 8, Drops 7, Drives 5, Aces 2, Smashes 2
Davis Errors 34: hitting 28 (net 11, wide 11, fan 4, deep 1, general 1); serving 6 (deep 4, wide 2)
Davis 55: Winners 21: Drives 11, Clears 6, Smashes 3, Aces 1
Thao Errors 34: hitting 31 (wide 13, net 12, deep 3, fans 3), serving 3 (2 deep, 1 wide)

SINGLES
1. Lisa Thao (H) def Nadvia Davis 14-21, 23-21, 21-14
2. Mai Vang (H) def Mekka Clark 21-11, 21-16
3. Hnia Yang (H) def Foua Khang 21-12, 21-12
4. Padao Yang (H) def Sarah Hollingshead 21-12, 25-23
DOUBLES
1. Mai Chia Yang/Yer Yang (H) def Vang Khang/Poua Khang 21-7, 21-14
2. Yer Yang/Choua Yang (H) def Kiki Nelson/Debbi Hulbert 22-20, 21-14
3. Jamie Lee/Amanda Seline (N) def Bao Xiong/Dia Lee 21-19, 22-20

BY THE NUMBERS
SINGLES
Matches: Henry 4-0 1.000
Games: Henry 8-1 .889
Points: Henry 188-142 .570
decided by 10+: Henry 1-0
decided by 3 or less: Henry 2-0
DOUBLES
matches: Henry 2-1 .667
games: Henry 4-2 .667
points: Henry 124-98 .559
decided by 10+: Henry 1-0
decided by 3: North 2-1

Next up: tomorrow morning

4-3 Around St. Paul

#1 posting 4.19.2007
your periodic dose of badminton news & information

YESTERDAY'S RESULTS
The big event was at Burnsville yesterday with Harding going a perfect 7-0 in both contests against Burnsville and Eden Prairie. Not only did they win 14 matches they never went three games. It was all two and out. And it was against the #2 and #3 teams in the state.

ST. PAUL ACTION
In a trio of 4-3 games it was Arlington over Highland Park; Johnson bumping off Central, and Como Park edging Humboldt.

Next up: later today

Out & About: Burnsville Triangular

#2 posting 4.18.2007
your periodic dose of badminton news & information

BURNSVILLE TRIANGULAR

St. Paul Harding left no doubt who controls the number one spot in the state with two sweeps over #2 Burnsville and #3 Eden Prairie. In the final match of the day it was Burnsville topping Eden Prairie 4-3.

GAME 1: ST. PAUL HARDING knights 7, BURNSVILLE blaze 0

Harding swept all matches and all 2-0. The closest contest came at first doubles when Harding's duo of Dia Xiong and PaNhia Yang beat Burnsville's pair of Michelle Teigland and Lynsay Mortenson 42-32.

FIRST SINGLES
Burnsville's Gabby Alvarez held a 4-2 early in game one. In her next six services she was able to squeeze out one point as defending state champ Pang Thao sided out 5/6. On Thao's fifth serve she notched five points overcoming a 7-6 deficit to take a 12-7 lead. Thao finished the first game with a 14-4 run. I only had 20 for Thao but it goes in the books at 21-11.

Thao had a strong start jumping out to a 14-3 lead. Thao had 8 points on her third serve with the drop the shot of choice. It was even after that point.

I will add the numbers later

SINGLES
1. Pang Thao (H) def Gabby Alvarez 21-11, 21-10
2. Mee Xiong (H) def Jenny Kieffaber 21-9, 21-19
3. Stephanie King (H) def Ciara Hogenson 21-12, 21-17
4. Kazoua Yang (H) def Chesley Ferguson 21-12, 21-11
DOUBLES
1. Dia Xiong/PaNhia Yang (H) def Michelle Teigland/Lynsay Mortenson 21-17, 21-15
2. Pa Yang/Shee Xiong (H) def Natalie Leiker/Amy Lindblad 21-14, 21-15
3. Mor Xiong/Mai Ngia Xiong (H) def Kelsey Rehomera/Molly Schuh 21-11, 21-16
BY THE NUMBERS
SINGLES
Matches: Harding 4-0 1.000
Games: Harding 8-0 1.000
Points: Harding 168-101 .625
decided by 10+: Harding 4-0
decided by 3: Harding 1-0
DOUBLES
matches: Harding 3-0 1.000
games: Harding 6-0 1.000
points: Harding 126-88 .589
decided by 10+: Harding 1-0
decided by 2: 0

GAME 2: ST. PAUL HARDING knights 7, EDEN PRAIRIE eagles 0

#2 singles Maddie Lenhard for EP was out of town, so their single rotation was moved up one notch. Bo Kim took over at fourth. Harding swept the matches once again. The tightest matches took at place at first singles and first doubles.

FIRST SINGLES
Pang Thao broke free from a 7 all tie with five straight points on her fifth serve, and added four more on her 6th serve to make it 18-9. Katie Vohnoutka didn't go quietly with 7-3 run, but the hole was too deep to dig out.

In game two Thao led early at 8-4, but Vohnoutka tied it at 10. Thao broke the game open on her 8th serve with seven service points. She was on the verge at 20-12. Vohnoutka held off the inevitable for two more points.

SINGLES
1. Pang Thao (H) def Katie Vohnoutka 21-16, 21-14
2. Mee Xiong (H) def Leslye Suarez 21-7, 21-14
3. Stephanie King (H) def Jenna Hartkopf 21-11, 21-16
4. Kazoua Yang (H) def Bo Kim 21-9, 21-10
DOUBLES
1. Dia Xiong/PaNhia Yang (H) def Rebecca Wade/Larysa Eutenuer 21-19, 21-16
2. Pa Yang/Shee Xiong (H) def Krista Anderson/Kaitlyn Shore 21-11, 21-14
3. Mor Xiong/Mai Ngia Xiong (H) def Alycia Willey/Whitney Walz 21-10, 21-12
BY THE NUMBERS
SINGLES
Matches: Harding 4-0 1.000
Games: Harding 8-0 1.000
Points: Harding 168-97 .634
decided by 10+: Harding 3-0
decided by 3: 0
DOUBLES
matches: Harding 3-0 1.000
games: Harding 6-0 1.000
points: Harding 126-82 .606
decided by 10+: Harding 2-0
decided by 2: Harding 1-0

GAME 3: BURNSVILLE blaze 4, EDEN PRAIRIE eagles 3

Katie Vohnoutka left after the Harding game and Krista Anderson of the EP 2nd doubles team both left. So EP had major juggling in their line up. That meant that Leslye Suarez, normally a number three singles was now #1. Nicky Wade moved into fourth singles and picked up the win in the only match that went the distance. Burnsville took the top two singles and odd games in the doubles to claim vicory.

The Alvarez vs Suarez match was tight in both cases, but Alvarez finished on top in both cases. Alvarez held leads early at 7-2 and had a lead as late as 18-14. Suarez ran off four straight to tie the game at 18. An Alvarez soft drive got her point 19 on a side out. Alvarez kept serve for the next two points and the first game win.

Game two was just as tight. Alvarez led early 7-4. Suarez led in game two with four straight points to take the lead 14-12. Alvarez took back the lead with a run of five points at 19-16. After that both players played the side out game for the Burnsville win.

SINGLES
1. Gabby Alvarez (B) def Leslye Suarez 21-18, 21-18
2. Jenny Kieffaber (B) def Jenna Hartkopf 21-18, 21-19
3. Bo Kim (EP) def Ciara Hogenson 21-17, 21-15
4. Nicky Wade (EP) def Chesley Ferguson 21-16, 13-21, 21-18
DOUBLES
1. Michelle Teigland/Lynsay Mortenson (B) def Larysa Eutenuer/Kaitlyn Shore 21-4, 21-9
2. Alycia Willey/Whitney Walz (EP) def Natalie Leiker/Amy Lindblad 21-19, 21-11
3. Kelsey Rehomera/Molly Schuh (B) def Morgan Woodrow/Laura Stone 21-18, 21-16
BY THE NUMBERS
SINGLES
Matches: 2-2
Games: 4-4
Points: Burnsville 171-170 .501
decided by 10+: 0
decided by 3: Burnsville 4-1
DOUBLES
matches: Burnsville 2-1 .667
games: Burnsville 4-2 .667
points: Burnsville 114-89 .562
decided by 10+: Burnsville 2-1
decided by 2: 1-1

Next up: tomorrow morning

Triangulation

#1 posting 4.18.2007
your periodic dose of badminton news & information

TRIANGULATION
The Triangular today at Burnsville will put the top three teams on the court. #1 Harding will open with #2 Burnsville. Harding then plays #3 Eden Prairie. The triangular caps off with Burnsville facing Eden Prairie.

YESTERDAY'S RESULTS
I reported on the South 4-3 win over Washburn. Also in Minneapolis it was Southwest topping Roosevelt 5-2. No word on the Edison vs North contest.

Next up: later today after the Triangular.

Out & About: South/Washburn

#2 posting 4.17.2007
your periodic dose of badminton news & information

MINNEAPOLIS SOUTH tigers 4
MINNEAPOLIS WASHBURN millers 3

South won a tight contest with Washburn 4-3. Five of the contests went the three game distance. South took the singles 3-1 and third doubles. The match was tied at three with one match still out---third singles. CeCe Durney put that in the South column with a 21-13 win in game three. The doubles had five nailbiters that went down to four points or less. In second doubles the Washburn pair of Putwong and Harrop went long in the first game 24-22 and then took game three 21-19.

FIRST SINGLES
Bee Xiong had to win two in a row to take this contest and did it by cleaning up her errors. In game one Xiong had 15 hitting errors as Rina Maezato took the first contest 21 (or 22 as I had) to 18. Xiong led early in game one as she score on her first five serves. Xiong led 10-6 at this point. Maezato got back in the game with a side out plus three straight service points. Of the four points in that run three were Xiong hitting errors. Maezato had another five point run after being sided out. So a 9-1 run put Maezato up 15-11. Maezato again had another four point run to capped by an ace to go up 18 (19 in my book) to 13. Both players traded points to make it 20 (21) to 15. Xiong held off with three straight points before a hitting error put Maezato up one game to nothing.

Xiong eliminated a good chunk of hitting errors in the second game cutting down from 15 to a more manageable 6. What hurt Maezato in this game was five serving errors. Xiong broke away from a 5-4 margin to 7-4. At this point Xiong had use of three Maezato serving errors. Xiong, when not getting points on serving errors, limited the point scoring opportunities by siding out five more times of the seven opportunities. So Maezato was only able to squeeze two points off her own serve. Xiong had 9 points from her own serve. Xiong had two runs of three or more. Her drop game was working for four points.

In the deciding third game Xiong broke free from a six all tie. Xiong had a serve run of five with three smashes in the mix as the power game kicked in. Maezato had one last kick with a 7-1 run to close to 16-13. Four of those points were the result of Xiong hitting errors. A Maezato hitting error got the serve back in Xiong's hands and she never gave it back with four straight with the power smashes adding points 19 and 20. A clear finished the game 21-13.

SIDEOUTS: Xiong 17/28---.607; Maezato 11/29---.379
SERVE RUNS: Xiong 3, Maezato 3
POINTS:
Xiong 60; Maezato Hitting errors 13 (Fans 6, Wide 6, Deep 1); Smashes 12; Drops 12; Clears 10; Maezato serving errors 8 (Deep 4, Wide 4); Aces 3; Drives 2
Maezato 48; Xiong Hitting errors 27 (Net 14, Wide 7, Deep 5, Fan 1); Drops 6; Aces 4; smashes 4; Xiong serving errors 3 (wide 2, deep 1); Drives 2, Clears 2

SINGLES
1. Bee Xiong (S) def Rina Maezato 18-21, 21-13, 21-13
2. Dani Sack (W) def Ma Xiong 21-19, 17-21, 21-12
3. CeCe Durney (S) def Maly Yi 21-15, 17-21, 21-13
4. Jessica Jolson (S) def Sarah Radcliff 21-8, 21-11
DOUBLES
1. Mai Vang/Xee Lee (W) def Katherine McQuarter/Jackee Heslop 21-9, 17-21, 21-18
2. Montisha Puthwong/Jennie Harrop (W) def Maria Crespo/Rachel Mammen 24-22, 14-21, 21-19
3. Misha Hemmingson/Hannah Heig (S) def Xee Vue/Nicole Weishaar 21-12, 21-19

BY THE NUMBERS
SINGLES
Matches: South 3-1 .750
Games: South 7-4 .636
Points: South 213-174 .550
decided by 10+: South 2-0
decided by 3 or less: Washburn 2-0
DOUBLES
matches: Washburn 2-1 .667
games: 4-4
points: South 152-149 .505
decided by 10+: Washburn 1-0
decided by 3: Washburn 3-1

Next up: tomorrow morning

Central Edges Highland

#1 posting 4.17.2007
your periodic dose of badminton news & information

MONDAY RESULTS
It was St. Paul Action yesterday (Minneapolis today).
I reported on the Harding sweep of Como Park yesterday. In other action in the conference Central edged Highland Park 4-3, and Johnson knocked of Humboldt 6-1.

In noncon action it was another 4-3 with Eden Prairie slipping by St. Paul Arlington.

The win by Central moved them up in the polls.

Today is Minneapolis action.

The big event is on Wednesday as the top three teams (Harding, Burnsville, and Eden Prairie) face off in a triangular at Burnsville.

Out & About: Harding/Como Park

#2 posting 4.16.2007
your periodic dose of badminton news & information

ST. PAUL HARDING knights 7
ST. PAUL COMO PARK cougars 0

I got to this game late (about four minutes), but by the time I pulled out my folding chair and got my notebook and pens ready the first singles were over. Pang Thao did wrap up the second win with four straight points. As it was Harding swept Como Park with all matches going 2-0. Harding dominated the singles with seven of the eight games decided by more than 10 points. Harding did move Kazoua Yang to third singles from fourth and did not lose a beat with a 21-7, 21-5 win. Crystal Yang filled in at fourth singles, moving up from JV first singles.
Harding had a tighter go of it with the doubles with second and third doubles down to the wire. Harding's second doubles team was changed with Shee Xiong replacing Nalee Xiong. Pa Yang remained as one of the teammates. Second doubles had the tightest match with both games going to 19.

I was not able to get the first singles covered, but I was there for the entire 3rd doubles (which usually don't get covered) so...

THIRD DOUBLES
The Harding pair of Mor Xiong and Mai Ngia Xiong beat Panhia Lor and Nou Fang 21-16 and 21-19. Xiong and Xiong took an early 3-0 lead in game one. Then missed serves took over as the next three of the next four points failed to find the mark. Xiong & Xiong ran off five points to get an 11-4 lead four on Mai Ngia's serve. Harding scored on the next two serves, but then failed to get points on their next three. Xiong and Xiong finished with a drive to end the first game officially at 21-16.

The Como duo held a lead at 8-6 in game two. Four straight points by Harding put them back in front 10-8. The next Como lead came at 17-16 after a pair of Harding hitting errors. A side out tied the game up. Then Mor Xiong delivered two serves for points on Como hitting errors 19-17. Both teams traded side outs with Harding placing a drop for point 21.

SIDEOUTS: Harding 16/23---.696; Como Park 11/23---.478
SERVE RUNS: Harding 2, Como Park 0
POINTS:
Harding 42: Como Park Hitting Errors: 19; Drives 13; Como Park Serving errors 2; Clears 2; Drops 2; Aces 1; Smash 1, ??? 2
Como Park 35: Harding Hitting Errors 12; Harding Serving Errors 5; Drives 4; Aces 3; Drops 3; Smashes 2; ??? 3; Clears 1

SINGLES
1. Pang Thao (H) def Lee Fang 21-8, 21-7
2. Mee Xiong (H) def Der Vang 21-6, 21-7
3. Kazoua Yang (H) def Mai Yer Lee 21-7, 21-5
4. Crystal Yang (H) def Shaundera Worrel 21-10, 21-14
DOUBLES
1. Dia Xiong/PaNhia Yang (H) def Mai Tia Yang/Mai Keo Yang 21-18, 21-6
2. Pa Yang/Shee Xiong (H) def Panhia Yang/Mai Keo Yang 21-19, 21-19
3. Mor Xiong/Mai Ngia Xiong (H) def Panha Lor/Nou Fang 21-16, 21-19

BY THE NUMBERS
SINGLES
Matches: Harding 4-0 1.000
Games: Harding 8-0 1.000
Points: Harding 168-64 .724
decided by 10+: Harding 7-0
decided by 3: 0
DOUBLES
matches: Harding 3-0 1.000
games: Harding 6-0 1.000
points: Harding 126-97 .565
decided by 10+: Harding 1-0
decided by 2: Harding 2-0

Last Thursday Harding downed Arlington 6-1. Here is the breakdown
SINGLES
1. Pang Thao (H) def Ling 21-11, 21-11
2. Pam (A) def Mee Xiong 21-15, 21-16
3. Stephanie King (H) def Cha 21-5, 21-3
4. Kazoua Yang (H) def. Linda 21-2, 21-13
DOUBLES
1. Dia Xiong/PaNhia Yang (H) def Kosaizee/Mai Xiong 21-9, 21-12
2. Pa Yang/Nalee Xiong (H) def Kablia/Kia 21-17, 21-12
3. Mor Xiong/Mai Ngia Xiong (H) def Wendy/Mai See 21-13, 21-19

BY THE NUMBERS
SINGLES
Matches: Harding 3-1 .750
Games: Harding 6-2 .750
Points: Harding 157-87
decided by 10+: Harding 5-0
decided by 3: 0
DOUBLES
matches: Harding 3-0 1.000
games: Harding 6-0 1.000
points: Harding 126-82 .606
decided by 10+: Harding 1-0
decided by 2: Harding 1-0

Next up: tomorrow morning

Week Ahead

#1 posting 4.16.2007
your periodic dose of badminton news & information

THE WEEK AHEAD
Here is the schedule for the week to come highlighted by the Burnsville Triangular on Wednesday with Harding and Eden Prairie.
Monday April 16
Humboldt at Johnson
Como Park at Harding
Highland Park at Central
Eden Prairie at Arlington
Tuesday, April 17
Burnsville at Mpls Henry
North at Edison
Roosevelt at Southwest
Washburn at South
Wednesday, April 18
Arlington at Highland Park
Johnson at Central
Humboldt at Como Park
Harding at Burnsville Triangular. Eden Prairie is also there
Thursday, April 19
Johnson at Highland Park
Edison at Washburn
Henry at North
Roosevelt at South
Friday April 20
Harding at Highland Park
Arlington at Humboldt
Johnson at Como Park

Next up: later today with an out & about

North Wins Third Straight

#1 posting 4.13.2007
your periodic dose of badminton news & information

THURSDAY RESULTS
MINNEAPOLIS
Minneapolis North won their third straight 4-3 game, this time over Washburn.
No word on the Edison at Southwest or South at Henry contests.

ST. PAUL
Central shutout Humboldt 7-0
In the battle of the Parks it was Highland over Como 5-2.
No word on the Arlington/Harding contest.

NONCON
As reported in yesterday's out & about Burnsville swept Minneapolis Roosevelt 7-0.

I have added the rankings list on the right. It is updated after each day.
If I am missing a result, send it to me.

next up: Monday.

Out & About: Burnsville/Roosevelt

#1 posting 4.12.2007
your periodic dose of badminton news & information

BURNSVILLE blaze 7
MINNEAPOLIS ROOSEVELT teddies 0

Burnsville swept Roosevelt 7-0, but Roosevelt did push the first doubles to three games before falling. Burnsville "blazed" their way with no real tight contests other than the first doubles. The previous best for a single point score was with Edison over North with a score of .661. Burnsville had a .730 score today.

FIRST SINGLES
Gabby Alvarez took control right off the bat with three straight points. Her drive game was humming in both games with 11 points in the first game including the first two points. Tenzing Norden did close to 7-5 as she had a side out smash and then had two points scored on Alvarez hitting errors. But then Alvarez stepped up her game and closed with a 14-3 run. On Alvarez's fifth serve she had a 7 straight points on her serve, all a result of Alvarez action (no gifts from Norden). Two of the points on that run were drives that handcuffed Norden. I actually had Alvarez at 22 points. In the books it was Alvarez 21-8.

Alvarez ran off five straight points on her second serve again all on drives with one drop. On Alvarez's fourth serve she added six more points. That put the score 17-4. The match ended on a drop and a 21-6 Alvarez win.

SIDEOUTS: Alvarez 10/12---.833; Norden 2/12---.167
SERVE RUNS: Alvarez 5, Norden 0
POINTS:
Alvarez 42: Drives 21; Norden hitting errors 7 (5 net, 2 wide); Drops 6, Clears 4, Smash 3, Ace 2, Norden Serving error 1
Norden: 14: Alvarez hitting errors 10 (6 wide, 4 net); Smash 1, Drop 1, Drive 1, Alvarez Serving errors 1

FIRST DOUBLES
I was able to catch the final game of this match and it started off with 11 straight side outs. Burnsville's duo of Michelle Teigland and Lyndsay Mortenson was finally able to keep serve. They added two points with a smash and then a drive to make it 8-5. The Blaze side out game kept Mallory Brand and Tina Rojas away from points. Burnsville forced 8 straight side outs. Burnsville built up a 16-7 lead before Brand & Rojas scored on their own serve. They did close to 16-10, but a Burnsville side out ended that. Hitting errors provided the last few points for Burnsville 21-12.

SINGLES
1. Gabby Alvarez (B) def. Tenzing Norden 21-8, 21-6
2. Jenny Kieffaber (B) def. Tenzing Khendu 21-2, 21-8
3. Ciara Hogenson (B) def. Tenzin Wangmo 21-9, 21-5
4. Heidi Werness (B) def. Passang Chozum 21-15, 21-9
DOUBLES
1. Michelle Teigland/Lyndsay Mortenson (B) def. Mallory Brand/Tina Rojas 21-8, 13-21, 21-12
2. Natalie Leiker/Amy Lindblad (B) def. Cindy Lee/Pa Houa Lor 21-7, 21-8
3. Kelsey Rehome/Molly Schuh (B) def. Nicasia Gulindo/Elizabeth Garcia 21-12, 21-14

BY THE NUMBERS
SINGLES
Matches: Burnsville 4-0 1.000
Games: Burnsville 8-0 1.000
Points: Burnsville 168-62 .730
decided by 10+: Burnsville 7-0
decided by 3: 0
DOUBLES
matches: Burnsville 3-0 1.000
games: Burnsville 6-1 .833
points: Burnsville 139-82 .629
decided by 10+: Burnsville 3-0
decided by 2: 0

Next up: tomorrow