Cardinal trounce Tritons

The victory wasn't nearly as easy as the final score indicates. The Cardinal built a 20-point lead in the first nine minutes of the game, but the UCSD Tritons held them to that, plus or minus a basket or two, well into the second half. With about 12 minutes left to play, the stronger team took control and drove to the final score: 107-55.

Mighty Melanie Murphy had a fine game today. It's been reported that she's helping Nneka to improve her shot. It appeared today that the help is reciprocal. She looked like a smaller version of Nneka, driving to the basket, leaping high for rebounds, and making athletic shots. She scored 17 points, and had seven rebounds, one block, one steal and five assists.

Kayla and Nneka both had big double-doubles — Kayla 20 points and 15 rebounds; Nneka 26 points and 11 rebounds.

There was a sprinkling of three-pointers — three (of three) from JJ, and one each from Kayla, Ros, Jeanette, Grace and Lindy.

Michelle and Joslyn joined Hannah and Sarah on the bench today. Joslyn was stepped on during practice and has a bruised foot. Michelle's reason for not playing has not been disclosed. Everyone else played and scored.

Freshman Mikaela Ruef had the fewest, but the most entertaining, points. Late in the second half she took the ball down the court end-to-end, eluding her pursuers with behind-the-back dribbles, ending with this layup: which took the Cardinal to 100 points, and delighted the Cardinal fans and her teammates: Here are game reports from Jake Curtis and goStanford, the box score and play-by-play, and more photos

Jayne is AP Preseason All-American

Jayne has been named to the Associated Press 2009-10 preseason All-America team.

She received 34 votes from the 40-member national media panel — the second-leading vote-getter amongst the five players selected to the AP's preseason All-America team. Connecticut's Maya Moore was a unanimous selection, while teammate Tina Charles (28 votes), Ohio State's Jantel Lavender (20) and Virginia's Monica Wright (20) made up the rest of the team.

Nneka was among 14 players who also received votes from the panel.

Nneka improving leaps & shots

Susan Slusser, SF Chronicle staff writer, writes about Nneka's improvements in leaps and shots.

As reported from a different source recently, she's amazing her teammates with the height of her jumping, and she's working on a new shooting technique.

She is also working with Stanford athletic-development specialist Devan McConnell, because she had not been coached in the proper techniques of running, jumping and lateral movement.

Remember her performance on the court last season and think about what it will be when she learns to do things right — it boggles the mind!

Read more...

Cardinal make their season debut in fine fashion

Judy Richter, Cardinal fan and FBC correspondent, reports on yesterday's game:

It was an afternoon of firsts as the Stanford women’s basketball team played its first game of the 2009-10 season and romped to a 107-49 exhibition win at home over Vanguard University of Orange County on Nov. 1.

First of all, the team was sporting spiffy new warmups – all red with short white sleeves. The starting lineup was familiar, but with a new twist. Senior Jayne Appel and sophomore Nneka Ogwumike switched places, with Nneka rather than Jayne in the center circle for the opening tipoff. Joining them were junior forward Kayla Pedersen, fifth-year guard Rosalyn Gold-Onwude and junior guard Jeanette Pohlen.

It took about 2 ½ minutes before either side scored, but Nneka finally made the first basket right after snatching the first rebound. A few second later, senior guard JJ Hones replaced Ros at the point, thus making her first appearance in a game since tearing her ACL against Rutgers last season. She made her first basket – a 3 – early in the second half.

Jeanette made the first 3-pointer of the season about eight minutes into the game. She went on to toss in two more. By the time the final buzzer sounded, the Cardinal had poured in 15 3s. The others came from Ros, sophomore guard Grace Mashore and sophomore guard Lindy La Rocque, each with three. Kayla, JJ and senior guard Melanie Murphy had one each. Sophomore center Sarah Boothe, recuperating from foot surgery, did the high-five honors with the bench after each 3-pointer.

The first successful free throw came from Nneka, who made a total of six of nine attempts. As a team, the Cardinal made 10 of 15 FTs.

Freshman forwards Joslyn Tinkle and Mikaela Ruef both made their debuts, and both scored – Joslyn 3 and Mikaela 4. They also contributed rebounds and blocks.

Junior forward Ashley Cimino’s first basket came with slightly more than four minutes left in the game, but it was the one that lifted the Cardinal score to 100.

For the night, all12 healthy players scored. Nneka led the way with 20. Also in double figures were Jeanette, 15; Kayla and Lindy, 11 each; and Jayne and Grace, 10 each. Not playing were Sarah along with senior forward Michelle Harrison and junior guard Hannah Donaghe.

JJ was responsible for the game’s most touching gesture after one of the Vanguard players crumpled to the floor with a knee injury. After the trainers had helped the player get up, JJ stepped in to support her on the way to the locker room. JJ knows only too well what it’s like to suffer a knee injury, for last season’s ACL tear was the second of her college career.

For the record, even though JJ played only nine minutes, the least of any Cardinal, she looked good, running the point with efficiency and of course scoring the 3-pointer as well as dishing out two assists and snaring one rebound.

Mel led the team in assists with 12. Jayne had the most rebounds, nine, plus two blocks and a steal. There were at least two plays when a Vanguard player was going in for a layup only to literally bounce off 6’4” Jayne.

The taller Stanford team – ranked second in the nation -- outrebounded Vanguard 55-33 and had 15 fouls to Vanguard’s 19. Stanford led in steals, 6-2; blocks, 8-1; and assists, 30-9. Stanford had 10 turnovers to Vanguard’s 16.

Because it was an exhibition game, there were none of the other usual participants like the band, cheerleaders or Dollies. However, Betty Ann Boeving was at the announcer’s microphone, making a most welcome return.

Even though it was only an exhibition game against a less than formidable opponent, head coach Tara VanDerveer had to like much of what she saw. She also saw some things that could have been better, but that’s what exhibition games are for – to work out some of the kinks before the games count on the team’s record.

Cardinal celebrate first win

The Cardinal had a lot to celebrate during their 107-49 victory over Vanguard in their first game of the season — never mind that it was an exhibition game, and they don't count:

• The frontline lived up to expectations — between them Jayne, Kayla, Nneka, Ashley and Joslyn scored 46 points, had 27 rebounds and six blocks.
• Nneka soared high and led all scorers with 20 points, in just 23 minutes of play.
• Half of the team's field goal attempts were 3-pointers. They sank 15 of them — three each from Ros, Jeanette, Lindy and Grace.
• There was impressive play from the guards:
• Mel had twelve (12!) assists, with just one turnover.
• Jeanette had seven assists and one turnover, while scoring 15 points herself.

Here are game reports from Jake Curtis and goStanford, the box score and play-by-play, and some photos (Remember to click to enlarge.):

The promises of practice

By Judy Richter

With only a few days remaining until the Stanford women’s basketball team’s first exhibition game, I sat in on Tuesday afternoon’s three-hour practice at Maples Pavilion. I had missed the open practice earlier in the month because I was in Indiana for a family reunion.

What I saw looked very promising because, as head coach Tara VanDerveer has been saying all along, everyone has improved since last season. That includes not only the players who didn’t get much playing time but also the starters and the early-off-the-benchers. Meanwhile, the two freshmen, forwards Mikaela Ruef and Joslyn Tinkle, looked right at home on the Stanford court.

The afternoon started with a dribble drill led by senior guard JJ Hones (cleared to play after knee surgery last season), followed by passing drills. Devan McConnell, strength and conditioning coach, oversaw stretching and other warm-up exercises. Both sophomore center Sarah Boothe, recuperating from foot surgery, and junior guard Hannah Donaghe, recuperating from knee surgery, took part in these preliminaries to a large extent.

Later, as their teammates scrimmaged, they either practiced free throws and 3-pointers (Sarah has added that shot to her repertoire) or did strengthening and stretching exercises. Talking with them individually after practice, I found them both in good spirits, and they both looked terrific.

After the warm-ups, everyone gathered around Tara and the other coaches. “Details are important,” she said. As for the afternoon’s scrimmages, “go game tempo,” she said.

Before going into action, the guards went to one end of the court for a session with assistant coach Kate Paye. The bigs went to the other end to get some tips on defense from Tara, associate head coach Amy Tucker and assistant coach Bobbie Kelsey.

The basket at the south end was lowered and an inner rim added so that the ball wouldn’t go through, paving the way for a rebounding drill for everyone.

Then it was time for 4 on 4 scrimmages, followed by more dribbling.

By then, the five male practice players had arrived. One of them appeared to be nursing an injury, so sophomore guard Grace Mashore served as their point guard. She got quite a workout because she played in all of the scrimmages, while her regular teammates took turns.

She also looked good, running fast, hustling on plays and scoring. During one break, she sat with the men and diagrammed plays. Afterward, I kidded her about being an honorary guy. She responded on a serious note, saying that the coaches want her to get as much time as possible. She didn’t play much last season, but she has returned in better shape, so I’m hoping we’ll see more of her.

The first scrimmage against the men hinted at a possible starting lineup: senior center Jayne Appel, sophomore forward Nneka Ogwumike, junior forward Kayla Pedersen, fifth-year guard Rosalyn Gold-Onwude and junior guard Jeanette Pohlen. The first one off the bench, so to speak, was JJ, who came in for Ros. Then Joslyn came in for Kayla. Kayla later returned to replace Jayne. Eventually every healthy player got in – and the women won that 20-minute half, as they did the subsequent 20-minute periods.

Next came more free throws and 3-point shots for everyone before Tara gathered them for some closing words. Noting that there would be no practice Thursday, she advised them, “Study and dwell on your midterms. Academics come first.” She added that the freshmen and sophomores would meet with Brandon Marcello, director of sports performance, for nutritional advice.

Before rushing off to a piano lesson, Tara took a few minutes to comment on the team. “People are working very hard,” she said. She took note of the guards’ improvement, saying that Ros plays “pit bull defense,” and “we’re thrilled to have JJ back.” Nneka has improved, as have so many other players, which is good, because “we going to need everyone,” she said. “It’s extremely competitive in a very positive way.”

Everyone looked good. Besides those who played a lot last season, I was impressed with junior forward Ashley Cimino, who seemed more muscular and who not only snatched rebounds but also hit 3s. Senior guard Melanie Murphy, who played at the point during the afternoon, also was hitting 3s and running fast, as was sophomore guard Lindy La Rocque. Everyone was hustling and seemed serious.

The promise is there. Bring on the games.

Cardinal has high hoops

John Reid, Palo Alto Daily News, writes about the Cardinal's high hopes–er, hoops–for the season.

Whichever, the hoops aren't too high for the Cardinal's talented frontline: Jayne, Kayla and Nneka. And now Joslyn too, of whom Tara says, "If you put Jayne Appel and Kayla Pedersen into a blender, you would have Joslyn. She has better perimeter skills than Jayne and is stronger on the block than Kayla. She's talented, physical and can pass well."

Elsewhere on the court, Tara speaks highly of Ros' defense, "Ros is a pit bull in practice. The players are coming out with scratches on their arms. She has also really improved her outside shot."

Tara is expecting fierce competion at the guard spot. Jeanette is penned in at the two-guard position, with JJ or Ros at the point. But Lindy and Mel are pushing them. Tara is looking for the guards to assert themselves this season. "If they're turning the ball over, they're not going to be out there." Read more...

In another story, Jake Curtis focuses on Nneka's jumping ability during the preseason. Her ability to go above the rim is one of the reasons she looks like Stanford's next star. “I do feel like I’m jumping higher, but I can’t explain it,” she said.

She is also working on a new shooting technique, with guidance from Mel, to improve her shooting. Read more...

Best wishes for the season

By Judy Richter

As the start of the 2009-10 season draws nigh, here are some wishes for the team, the fans and the season:

1. First and foremost, good health, happiness and good luck to everyone connected with the team
2. Successful rehabs and speedy returns for Hannah and Sarah
3. Immediate returns to 100% for JJ and Jayne with no more injuries to them or anyone else

The rest are in no particular order:

• An early Christmas gift straight from Storrs in Connecticut (Stanford at UConn, Dec. 23)
• Lots of 3-pointers to limit the crowds around Jayne and the other posts and to fatten my tournament travel fund. After the Cardinal opened last season with 15 3s against Chico State, I decided to put $1 for every 3-pointer into a travel fund. By the end of the season in St. Louis, I had accumulated $246 to cover meals, cabs, etc. It sure would be nice to double that this season.
• Fewer turnovers
• More rebounds on both ends of the court
• Fewer fouls
• More free throws made
• Enthusiastic, sell-out crowds for every home game
• Softer music before tip-offs to allow fans to chat with each other
• Return of the agility dogs that were such a hit last season
• Victories to reward Tara for coming up with one of the team’s toughest schedules ever
• Singers who perform our national anthem the way it was written
• Good officiating
• Pac-10 championship
• The NCAA championship trophy for the Cardinal in San Antonio
• And last but not least, lots of fun for everyone

Stanford women studying hard for title run

Susan Slosser, Chronicle staff writer, writes about the Stanford women's basketball teams's extra class work on the court in this article.

See also Jake Curtis' stories about Kate Paye's point-guard college and Jayne's escape from the dungeon.

Coaches pick Stanford to win Pac-10!

Surprise!

In a near unanimous vote, receiving nine first-place votes (a coach may not vote for her own team) and 81 total points, nine-time defending Conference champion and 2009 NCAA Final Four participant STANFORD was voted the clear favorite to win the 2009-10 Pac-10 women's basketball title, according to a vote by the Conference head coaches.

Here is the complete report from the Pac-10.