Posts: 54
Threads: 5
Joined: Jan 2012
To expand on yesterdays practice, the first seven or eight minutes of which I also missed
Scrimmage utilized three referees. They called fouls, and the fouled players took their foul shot(s). The clock was used and they seemed to play two 10-minute halves, with a 10-minute half-time, about 45-50 minutes in all.
During scrimmage, a buzzer went off on a regular (timed?) basis so that Tara could cycle different lineups in and out. There were quite a few different looks, but no matter who was in there, the team ran a constant fast break, smooth but under control. Very few 3s were taken. The ball was worked into the post and scoring was almost exclusively posts (mostly Erica) putting the ball into the basket on driving layups.
MARTA SNIEZEK played extensively, and only at PG. I didnt see her take any shots, but I did watch her shoot FTs on the side. She has a distinctly different way of shooting FTs that could maybe be improved upon, lets say. However, her PG play is confident and capable. She looks unafraid and in charge. She dribbles on the run with her shoulders slightly turned, like shes always about to throw the ball down court, which she did about half the time -- with accuracy, like a QB with touch.
BRIANA ROBERSON looked super at both PG and the 2, on offense and defense, even better than last year. She made a couple of baskets and looked ready to start.
ALEXA ROMANO played only at the 2, and only for a short time. During that time, though, she seemed to know where she should be and what she should be doing, and her athleticism and good physical conditioning was apparent. I didnt notice her shooting, but she looks capable of strong play, sort of like Bree in her first year, as opposed to Taylor Rooks last year.
KARLIE SAMUELSON played briefly, at the 2 and at the 3. She missed her only 3-point attempt.
ALANNA SMITH played only at the 3, and then only for two or three minutes at a time. Tara said afterward that she wasnt up-to-speed yet and was being rested as a precaution. Her presence at the 3 creates a 3-Bigs (63-65) lineup, but she looks comfortable there, swishing two 3-pointers, and she showed her athleticism by smoothly driving the baseline for a lay-up. You can see shes ready to play somewhere right now, be it the 3 or the 4. Note: Her 3s came on the move, and her set-up was quick and clean, but she uses a push shot that starts chest-high vs head-high, reminiscent of Kate Starbird. It makes you wonder whether it will be blocked during the season. However, I only remember seeing Kates shot blocked once, so maybe the coaches wont make Alanna fix her shot (just yet) if its not broken.
ERICA MCCALL played extensively and has changed noticeably on the offensive end: She looked almost Chiney-like in her carriage and shot-making. She seems to want/demand the ball now, and instead of taking a 4- to 6-foot face up jumper, she immediately goes to the basket with a Chiney-like driving jump hook. Shes more confidently aggressive, and has improved her pre-drive footwork. She should draw more fouls with her new moves, as she did in this practice, and Im happy to say shes looks to have improved her 50% FT shooting from last year, as she swished all (3 or 4?) her FTs yesterday. If this practice is any indication of the season to come, Erica will be the new focal point of our offense.
Neither KAYLEE JOHNSON nor KAILEE JOHNSON exhibited much change from their play of last season. Though they were each in for a while, I dont recall inspired effort by either. A 50% FT shooter last year, Kaylee air balled the first of two FTs yesterday then missed the second badly as well. Kailee went 0 for 1 on 3s.
Not playing in the scrimmage: TESS PICKNELL, SHANNON COFFEE, ALEX GREEN and BRITTANY MCPHEE. Tara said after the game that Shannon had a slight foot problem that should be healed by Monday. She said that Alex (ACL) was expected to be ready to play in mid-December. Tara didnt say why Tess or Brittany didnt play. All four shot baskets on the sidelines during scrimmage, and none of the four hobbled in any discernable way.
LILI THOMPSON was not at practice. When questioned afterward during Q&A, Tara said that Lili was attending to a family matter.
The opposing practice team was all young men, with the exception of former Stanford WBB stand-out Sebnem Kimyacioglu and former freshman walk-on/now senior Kiran Lakhian. Sebnem played at the 2 for quite a while, but it was Kiran at PG who played more minutes than any other woman player yesterday. Kiran played well on both offense and defense, and Tara made a favorable comment about it after practice. Kiran went 1 of 2 on 3s, rebounded, got a couple of turnovers on defense, and took care of the ball without a turnover. She also looks ready to start at PG.
In a post practice Q&A, Tara began by Introducing Sebnem, then the entire staff, and finally the players, with a short complimentary comment about each. The first question asked of Tara was who will be the new starting PG. Tara said that it hadnt been decided, and that the battle was neck-and-neck among 5 players: Marta, Bri, Lili, Alexa and
Kiran.
Someone then asked if Kiran was on scholarship. Tara answered by saying only that Kiran was a full member of the team and on the roster.
The next question was what new rule changes had been made. Ones that I can remember are:
1) The one-and-one is history. After 5 fouls, players now shoot two FTs. She said she isnt sure whether that will help or hurt Stanford. Well just have to see.
2) There will be two 10-minute quarters per half now, with a break after each.
3) Teams will be prohibited from calling time-outs in the last second or two if they are unable to advance the ball past half-court within 10 seconds of taking the ball in-bounds from back court.
4) In the last (two?) minutes of the fourth quarter, you can call time-out in the back court and then in-bound the ball in the fore court after the time out, similar to NBA rules.
Next came what offense are we going to run. Tara said that we have the people to run, and well do that. When the situation is half court, we will aggressively work it into the post and shoot. She doesnt want anyone to be afraid to shoot or be hesitant in doing so. Shell also mix a little triangle in now and then.
Someone then congratulated her on her 2-year contract extension, for which she expressed appreciation.
When questioned how we came to recruit Alanna, Tara said that Alannas dad had contacted her first, asking how Alanna should go about getting on the team. He was directed to Admissions to start, then told to make Alanna available for evaluation by Tara to see if she was good enough to make the team.
Someone asked whether it was true that we would press this year. Tara answered that she was strongly considering it. She believes we have the team to do so.
Lastly, it was pointed out that we have a new score board and 4 new video screens, one in each corner of the arena. However ALL the championship banners that were where the speakers now are have been removed, and she doesnt know where they will be hung when they reappear.
