Game report: McNary 61, Franklin 50 (Jack Bog's Blog)

At a friend's suggestion, we took the kids over to the Rose Garden this morning to watch some of the state high school basketball tournament. It was the last game of the consolation round on the girl's side of class 6A (the biggest schools), and phenom Shoni Schimmel was on the court with her Franklin teammates against McNary (from Salem) in a contest for fourth place.

Shoni may have been the best talent on the court, and Franklin's wicked full-court press was tough to handle, forcing a lot of turnovers, but McNary played much better team basketball overall and won the game easily. Shoni, whose mom is the Franklin coach, is not shy about shooting. She was launching up shots from all over, and several went in from well outside the NBA three-point line. At one point, she drove right and landed an incredible hook shot -- that wasn't luck, either -- which she converted into a three-point play at the free throw line. But after she picked up her third foul, she showed some pretty bad judgment, hacking away on defense and basically begging for no. 4. She then fouled out on a technical after mouthing off to a referee, and it was still a ballgame when she left.

Her sister, Jude, got the player of the game trophy on the Franklin side, but Shoni was signing autographs on the way out the door of the arena. Will she be a big-time college player? Possibly. But nobody knows how she'll do with an actual coach who's not her mom. It could be a disaster, or it could be the hall of fame. It's too early to tell.

McNary was much better organized, exploiting weaknesses in the Franklin half-court offense and never surrendering a first-quarter lead. The tall Deven Hunter led the way with 21 rebounds and 20 points, 12 of which were earned at the foul line.

I don't think I've been to a high school basketball game since I was in high school myself. To put that in perspective, it was pre-Kent State. Today's outing was a lot of fun, especially in the relaxed setting of a 9 a.m. game in the giant Rose Garden. I'll bet the high school players get a kick out of playing on the Trail Blazers' floor -- I know I would if I were they.

We stayed for a quarter of Sunset vs. McKay (also from Salem), the consolation bracket final game on the boys' side. Sunset had the situation well in hand when we left, and they brought a heck of a band with them. They've retired the tuba in favor of the electric Fender bass. I can go with that.

The tallest player on the court was a 6' 9" Sunset player named Lucas. Any relation to Maurice?

Comments (4)

Question answered, and it's no:

His father (Richard Lucas) played at the University of Oregon in the late 1980s.

Posted by Jack Bog | March 13, 2010 1:24 PM

From what I hear, Shoni Schimmel is the next great thing in womens basketball. There was a fascinating story about her growing up on the res and playing some killer ball.

But I also hear she takes more shots than Kobe Bryant.

Posted by none | March 13, 2010 4:40 PM

Actually, McNary is in Keizer. GO BIG BLUE!

Posted by mp97303 | March 13, 2010 6:59 PM

I keep hearing Shoni is going to be the next big thing and she's being recruited by all of these Pac-Ten powers. I just don't see it. Her game is 100% one on five and to my knowledge she has never showcased herself in a team setting. In fact, when college coaches from around the country flock to Oregon City every July, Shimmel leaves town for smaller tournaments to play lesser opposition.

If I had to guess, I'd say she's going to be a Duck, a team with zero expectations and a coach who's not looking to move up the career ladder and therefore may be more willing to take a risk.

Posted by Bean | March 14, 2010 10:15 AM

Search this site

About

Clippings

Archives

Links

E-mail, Feeds, 'n' Stuff

Saturday, March 13, 2010

Game report: McNary 61, Franklin 50

Comments (4)

Sponsors

In Vino Veritas

The Occasional Book

Road Work