O COME ALL YE FAITHFUL!! ON FRIDAY AT 7PM WE'RE HOSTING THE BATTLE OF THE BAY!! THEN ON SUNDAY AT 5PM WE PLAY CAL AGAIN AT HAAS PAVILION!

Cal Women's Basketball Website

You know from decades of watching these two programs play each other, that the Battle of the Bay very often results in upsets and close battles. Usually, you can throw out the records, rankings, and stats and watch the underdog scare the bigeegees out of, or beat the higher ranked team.

Charmin Smith is the new Head Coach at Cal, and her team will come stormin into

Maples at 7PM on Friday. Then, we play them again on Sunday at 5PM in Haas Pavilion. You probably know Charmin and Tara go way back. She played for the Cardinal from 1994 to 1997, was a pro player until 2003,  and an Assistant Coach from 2003 (2004 to 2007 Tara's assistant) until this year, when she was named the Head Coach of the Cal Bears.

Cal is off to a decent 8 and 5 start in the new season. They've played three ranked teams, so far - they beat #20 Arkansas by 4 points, lost to #1 UConn in Storrs by 11, and lost to #14 Kentucky by 2. You can see from those scores that their season has had some real exciting moments, and then you find out they lost to Washington State by 21 on Sunday. How did Chanelle Molina and Bobbie Buckets go off for a combined 54 points? Wow! Sounds like Charmin has got her work cut out for her in the conference games. By January 19th they're facing us twice, then the two Oregons in Oregon. Welcome to the PAC12, Charmin Smith.   

She's inherited some good players. Among the top scorers there are three seniors - Jaelyn Brown, C.J. West, and Sara Anastasieska; a junior - Alaysia Styles; and a promising freshman - Evelien Schiph.

On paper we should be awarded two “W’s”. Unfortunately, they don’t play these rivalry games on paper. I'm sure you remember The Play! If you don't, just ask John Elway - he still dreams about the seven laterals into the middle of the Stanford Band.

Anyway, that's why you're sorely needed in attendance to support our Cardinal team, especially our freshman players who haven't played in this rivalry before. Come and cheer your loudest!

GO STANFORD!! WE CAN DO THIS!

Ashten Prechtel Has Major Upside Potential!!

During her senior season at Discovery Canyon High School in Colorado Springs, Ashten averaged 18.4 points, 14.3 rebounds, and 3 blocks. Her AAU coach has been Keith Van Horn who was drafted No.#2 in the 1997 NBA draft as a 6'-10" forward. He has helped Ashten mold her game and she now is a consistent three point shooter in addition to her post offense. The following video clip will give you an idea of Ashten's upside potential: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NyWZCYx2LHA.  

Unfortunately, she injured her shooting hand during her last high school game and was hampered by the injury while playing limited minutes in the McDonalds All American Game. That had to be disappointing, but to ease the pain, Fran Belibi asked her to help her during the Slam Dunk Contest. For Fran's last of four dunks, when she was ahead of the leading male dunker by one point after three dunks, she jumped over Ashten, who was seated in a chair under the basket. Fran got all tens and became the first female to win since Candace Parker some years ago. So Ashten got to be part of the McDonalds weekend and was able to help her friend and fellow Stanford recruit.


Haley, Fran and Ashten were all named to the Jordan Brand All American Game in Las Vegas and Ashten's hand had healed enough for her to see limited playing time. She had 5 points and 5 rebounds. She and Fran Belibi roomed together (both are from Colorado) and Haley's room was next door. The three were together much of the weekend and their chemistry is developing even before they move into Stanford. Also these three apparently stay in touch with Hannah Jump every day on Twitter. The following recruiting info sheet describes Ashten's improvement over the last three years:

http://www.espn.com/high-school/girls-basketball/recruiting/player/_/id/231037

Ashten has massive upside!! Won't it be fun to watch her become a Stanford star.    

Hannah Jump is Something Very Special

To preview Stanford’s #2  recruiting class for 2019, we’ll start with a local phenom who flew under

the recruiting radar last year and wasn’t highly ranked nationally, but couldn’t fit into Tara’s offense any better. Each week for the next month we’ll preview one of our four fantastic incoming freshman  players. The following video link will give you a brief insight into this remarkable person.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NGDzg7RuN-c&feature=youtu.be

Hannah Jump is about to graduate from a tiny high school in Los Altos Hills, California (297 students), move into Stanford this summer, and get ready to play for the Stanford women’s basketball team this fall. At 5’-11” she was Pinewood’s tallest player, but don’t let her size  or her school’s size fool you. Pinewood played in the open division of the state playoffs and lost the state championship game to the number one ranked team in the U.S., Sierra Canyon. Pinewood finished their season ranked number 18 in the nation and number 6 in California.

Their coach, Doc Scheppler, is a three point shooting guru for boys and girls from far and wide and he thinks Hannah Jump may be the finest three point shooter in high school in America. He’s been recruited widely by high schools and colleges, but likes turning tiny Pinewood into giant killers every season. The following is a video link of a typical practice and a game against powerhouse Menlo School, in which Hannah hits 7 of Pinewood’s 17 threes to win the game.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3DYQLIuCbBw

I would bet that in order to continue her efforts to  “Warriorize” her team, Tara may decide to play Hannah right away. And having her on the team will likely elevate everyone’s shooting. I can’t wait to see our team in action this coming season, especially Hannah Jump!

Malcolm McFall

This Week We Play Cal - Twice - in the Battle of the Bay

The Battle of the Bay usually brings out the best in both these great rivals - and you can usually throw out both team's records, rankings, and stats. This is always a battle royal and the team that wants it the most wins. Thursday evening we play at Haas at 8PM, then Saturday afternoon in Maples at 4PM.

Often a player who isn't near the top of the Scouting Report goes off and makes the difference - a la Erika Bean last Sunday in Utah. The seniors usually perform way beyond their usual games because they've played in these rivalry games so many times through the years and really want to win these games as they near the end of their college careers.

Senior Kristine Anigwe

And this time around do we ever have a couple of 6'-4" athletic seniors to watch and enjoy. Kristine Anigwe and Alanna Smith are at the top of their games and at the top of their sport. Anigwe is the centerpiece of the Cal team on both ends of the court. As Kristine goes - so go the Golden Bears. She's always doubled and often triple-teamed, which has made her become an excellent passer. She averages 22.4 points and 15 rebounds per game. Both players are on most of the Watch Lists this year and are expected to go early in the WNBA draft.

Here's how the Cal Bears preview the "Battle of the Bay".

Here's a highlight video from a recent Cal Bears win --- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nX5u7f6En-w.

Alanna is equally important to her team and equally skilled, but she gets more help from her teammates both in scoring and rebounding. So, if Smith has an off game or foul trouble, Carrington has sometimes stepped up to fill the gap - and so has Williams. Also Alanna is more of a long distance shooter than Kristine, who does most of her scoring in the paint.

And here's a recent highlight video of Stanford's win over WSU in which Alanna starred and Tara got her 900th Stanford win --- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9fzy9VjxPQQ

Their games are different, but the results are the same - usually low-20's in scoring and double digits in rebounding. Both will leave huge holes to fill next year - but this week we have two incredible seniors to appreciate and enjoy.



 

On Friday and Sunday We Visit the Mountain Schools.

On Friday 1/25 we play Colorado at 6 PM (Pacific Time)

After a 10 and 1 preseason with big wins over North Carolina and Navy, the Buffs are struggling mightily in PAC12 conference play at 0 and 6. Kennedy Leonard, their senior point guard, is one of the best players in our conference - and after playing in all 108 games since arriving in 2015, she's missed their last four games with a sprained foot. She's top five all-time at Colorado in points, assists and steals - and with a dozen more assists she'll take over as the all-time leader in that category.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BzKq0hhodiw

Colorado has four players averaging double figures in scoring - Leonard (14), Qunessa Caylao-Do (11), Mya Hollingshed (11), and Alexis Robinson (10), Their key rebounders are both freshmen - Hollingshed (6'-4") averages 7 and Peanut Tuitele (6'-1") snares 6 per game.

Needless to say, the Buffalos sorely miss their team leader, but even so they almost knocked off Washington two weeks ago with their freshman backup point guard, Lesila Finau. J.R. Payne, their third year head coach, is working hard to raise the level of play to become more competitive in PAC12 play and they're making rapid strides.  Hopefully, Friday night we'll get to see Kennedy Leonard play, but regardless we can expect an all-out effort from the Buffs.


Then on Sunday (1/27) at 11 AM we face Utah, one of the hottest teams in the West with a new AP

ranking of 21st in the nation. Overall they're 15 and 1 with their sole loss coming courtesy of a Reili Richardson buzzer-beater that gave Arizona State a two point win over the Utes.  Some of their biggest wins have come against Alabama, Brigham Young, and Florida.

So, how do they win? They average 76.5 points per game with a 19 point average margin of victory. They have a 48% shooting percentage and 38% from three on seven made threes per game. Their free throw percentage is 74%. They average 38 rebounds, 18 assists, 9 steals, and 5 blocks per game. In other words, they're damn good. Lynne Roberts is obviously a terrific coach. In her first press conference this year she put the rest of the conference on notice, "It's time for us to make the pivot to greatness."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_pdb_1jXaI

Like Stanford they recently lost one of their senior mainstays, Daneesha Provo, to an ACL tear. But they have three freshmen who have earned PAC12 Freshman of the Week honors so far this season - Dre'Una Edwards (four times), Dru Gylten, and Andrea Torres. Megan Huff, a 6'-3" senior, is their leader at 19.6 points and 9.4 rebounds per game. Dre'Una, a 6'-2" freshman, isn't far behind at 12 points and 7 boards. 

This will be one of the great battles of the season for the Cardinal, but unfortunately it isn't being shown on the PAC12 Network, so we'll have to watch it live-streaming on our computer. This is the signature win the Utes are looking for, and they don't call their building the Huntsman Center for nothing. Do you think the Utes are gunning for the Cardinal? I think so, too. Sure would help if Maya could play in this one.

Home Games Up Next Against UW and WSU

On Friday evening (1/18 @ 7PM) we take on Washington at home. When I think about the Huskies, I still lapse into memories of their 2016/2017 Cinderella team that had the leading scorer in the nation, won 29 games, and lost a great battle in the Sweet Sixteen to Mississippi State. Man, were they fun to watch.

Kelsey Plum went no.# 1 to the WNBA, Chantel Osahor graduated, Mike Neighbors left to coach his alma mater, Arkansas, and Aari McDonald transferred to Arizona. Jeez!

Well, two seasons later they're in the middle of re-building. Jody Winn is the new coach and Amber Melgoza, a junior from Santa Barbara, is their motor. Darcy Rees is their 6'-4" Aussie, out of Adelaide. Strong building blocks. They've had some good wins this season - they've beaten Duke, George Mason, and Ohio State, but right now they're 8 and 9 overall and 1 and 4 in PAC12 play.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aM_pBltD4d8

Jody's in a rich recruiting area and Washington is a great school. Soon, I figure, they'll be back in the hunt.

On Sunday (1/20) we play WSU at noon, a team with a number of international players.

When I hear the Cougars roster it sounds like a Eurobasket All Star team. Their star is from Varna,

Bulgaria and they call her Bobbi Buckets - that's because her real name is Borislava Hristova. Jovana Subasic is from Sabac, Serbia. Next, we go further east to Israel and introduce Shir Levy from Ness Ziona. Hailing from Lyon, France we have Johanna Muzet. Then on the other side of the planet we land in Logan, Australia and give you Ula Motuga. To meet Maria Kostourkova  one would think Russia, but she's a 6'-4" forward from Lisbon, Portugal. To find Alexys Swedlund you might think Scandinavia, but she's a 6' guard from Rapid City, South Dakota. Michaela Jones is from Nebraska and the three Molina sisters come from Kailua Kona, Hawaii - Cherilyn, Celena, and Chanelle.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YGd7m6akpMs

Wouldn't you love to coach this group? What a kick to listen in on one of their crucial timeouts - everyone talking at once in seven really different languages. I'll bet their trash talk can get colorful too. What about their basketball? Overall they're 7 and 9. In conference games they're 2 and 3. In their three point win against Washington, Bobbi Buckets had 38 points. Their team hit 11 of 24 three pointers. And 4 of 11 free throws (Jovana missed all of hers.) Their other important win was by three points over Nebraska.

Their new coach is Kamie Ethridge and I'll bet she's having a great time. I've only seen Bobbi on tape, but man can she shoot. June Dougherty was let go at the end of last season after recruiting this amazing menagerie of talent. I've always wondered how you would recruit if you coached in Pullman. That has to be the most remote location on the west coast. June turned away from Seattle, Spokane, and the rest of America - and went global. Sorry it didn't work out better for her.

I looked up Varna, thinking Pullman might seem like a metropolis to a recruit from Bulgaria - but no, Varna is a bustling seaport and major resort city on the Black Sea. I'd love to hear the story behind each of their foreign recruits and I'm looking forward to watching Bobbi shoot.  But as usual, Tara's defense will key on her and she'll have a tough night in Maples.



   

Friday Evening and Sunday Afternoon We Play USC and UCLA

USC is missing some pieces. Minyon Moore is their motor, plays hard every possession, and makes a lot of nice plays. Everybody plays decent defense and rebounds. Their problem is a lack of size and against UCLA on Sunday they weren't shooting well. Against the only ranked team they've played so far this season, they got smoked by A&M who won by 20. I think Mark Trakh is a good coach and they're located in a recruiting mecca, so I expect they'll soon emerge as a competitive PAC-12 team, but right now - after seeing how much Colorado, Utah, and Arizona have improved - I would say, they're looking at a tough conference season in 2019...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L8aQWr0nWTY

UCLA is also struggling this year. So far they're 8 and 5. They lost Jordin Canada, Monique Billings, and Kelly Hayes off of last year's dynamite team, but they still have Kennedy Burke, Michaela Onyenwere, Japreece Dean, Lajahna Drummer, and Chantel Horvat. (What ever happened to Sue and Kathy?) Nine of their fifteen players are freshmen or sophomores, so Coach Close has her work cut out. And by the way, one of those freshmen is Ahlana Smith - is that legal?

On Sunday they looked bad in the first half and turned it around in the second to beat USC. Onyenwere is nationally ranked as an offensive rebounder and Dean is a good shooter. They're a work in progress, but they look like they'll be in the mix by PAC-12 Tournament time.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_wyfZQidqw
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Three Days After Baylor - Stanford Takes On Tennessee In Knoxville

That's what you sign up for when you come to Stanford. After a maximum effort on Saturday and a long flight, you suit up on Tuesday to do battle in one of America's toughest venues - Thompson Boling Arena where 15,000 rabid fans decked out in garish orange await in full voice. The decibels assault your senses like few opponents have ever experienced. That's one reason the Lady Vols rarely lose at Rocky Top.

So, it takes a special kind of athlete to meet these massive back-to-back  challenges - two of America's best women's teams in three days. Then, with self-assurance and a joyful heart, you have to embrace this daunting battle on Pat Summit's court and enjoy the environment their fans, band and spirit squad create. Special athletes that can handle this kind of challenge come to Stanford - and a tough venue brings out the best in them.

The Lady Vols are rebuilding this year, but they're tough. Few teams could lose what they lost from last year and be ranked #9. In their game against the University of Texas on Sunday the 9th it was the guards - Meme Jackson and Evina Westbrook that led them in scoring. They combined for fifty-six points.  They're not going to give anything to anybody - you've got to beat them.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YrYsMVldJM

We'll have to play especially tough on their home floor. Nothing comes easy in Thompson - Boling Arena.

Everyone needs to be on.

We can do it.