February 29, 2008

One down, one to go

The Cardinal need just one more win on Sunday to clinch the #1 seed in the Pac-10 tournament. Some observations on tonight's game against Washington:
  • The Huskies came out strong. At halftime, they had ten more rebounds than the Cardinal and were behind by just two points.
  • Jayne reported in her postgame interview that Tara's "advice" at halftime was "Rebound! Rebound!! REBOUND!!!"
  • The Cardinal started the second half with a 12-0 run, and won by 20 points.
  • Jayne played point in the paint, with seven assists. She was 100% on field goals (six of six).
  • JJ was the sharp shooter again, with 16 points, including four of six 3-pointers.
  • Candice did not rest up for the tournament. She played 37 minutes and was the top scorer (22 points) and rebounder (10).
Here are the AP game recap and the box score from Stanford Athletics

More game reports tomorrow.

Strong finish on the road?

Cal, Stanford need strong Pac-10 finish by Michelle Smith (San Francisco Chronicle)

At the beginning of the Pac-10 season, this final two-game set of the conference schedule looked like it might be a playing-out-the string-affair for both the Stanford and Cal women's basketball teams. Instead it's looking like a must-win weekend.

Women look to clinch Pac-10 title on the road by Scott Bland (The Stanford Daily)

The Cardinal can guarantee its eighth consecutive regular season title with a pair of wins on its Northwest road trip this weekend against sub-.500 Washington and Washington State.

February 28, 2008

A day to remember

Michelle Smith (San Francisco Chronicle) wonders how significant the Stanford/Cal game was in Bay Area Sports history. Was it the beginning of something lasting or not? (More ... )

February 25, 2008

Big Game afterthoughts

Here are some late arrivals to supplement yesterday's game reports:

An audio slideshow from the Contra Costa Times

Women best Bears by Haley Murphy (The Stanford Daily)

Seeing Cardinal red by Gerald Nicdao (The Daily Californian), includes a podcast and an audio slideshow

February 24, 2008

Women's game is real winner

Here are the Stanford/Cal game reports. Lots of them. Enough to last you all week? Are you remembering to vote each day for Candice for the Lowe's Senior Class Award?

February 23, 2008

Excitement at Haas

Just got back from the game. It was so exciting to:
  • See JJ break her career record again with a game-high 16 points, including four of six 3-pointers! (Correction: This was not JJ's career high -- she scored 20 against Santa Clara -- but it sure was pretty!)
  • Watch Jayne come out of hibernation in the second half, as Tara put it, and score 12 points to match JJ's high of 16!
  • See Candice snatch the ball out of Devanei Hampton's upraised hands and score an uncontested layup to give Stanford the lead with a couple of minutes to go!
  • Watch Cal miss a golden opportunity three times after JJ, Kayla and Ros took turns missing a one-and-one in the last 37 seconds!!!
  • Be one of 10,525 people watching a women's Pac-10 basketball game!
I'm sure there will be many game reports tomorrow, but for now here are the AP game recap, photo gallery and the box score from Stanford Athletics.

More Big Game Hype

Hype is right for Cal-Stanford women's battle

by Michelle Smith (San Francisco Chronicle)

"It's going to be one of the best games in Pac-10 history."

It's a legitimate dose of hype. The No. 7 Cardinal and the No. 8 Bears - two teams which have won 47 games between them so far - meet in the 16th game of the regular season with one game separating them in the conference standings.

A title could be won, a balance of power might be shifted. And it will happen in front of a national television audience and possibly one of the biggest crowds ever to watch a women's basketball game in the Bay Area.

Cal can state its case vs. Stanford

by Jennifer Starks (InsideBayArea)

Cal has a huge opportunity to show that tag [elite] does in fact apply with today's landmark game against No.7 Stanford at HaasPavilion. More than that, the No.8 Bears have a chance to tighten their grip on first place in the Pac-10 and cement themselves in the driver's seat for the conference title, something that has forever eluded them.

February 21, 2008

Title Game

In the past 20 years, Cal has never been the Pac-10 champion; Stanford has been the champion 16 times.

But this season, Stanford is #2 with conference losses to USC and UCLA; Cal is #1 with just one loss -- to Stanford.

The game on Saturday at Haas Pavilion is the title match. What's in it for the winner?
  • Bragging rights
  • The #1 seed in the Pac-10 Tournament
  • A higher seed in the NCAA Tournament
  • Possibly a more favorable regional location, although we won't know that until Selection Monday (March 17). ESPN bracketologist Charlie Creme's current prediction is Stanford a #2 seed in Spokane, Cal a #3 seed in New Orleans. CollegeRPI's prediction is Stanford a #2 seed in Spokane, Cal a #3 seed in Oklahoma City.
What's certain is that the game will be hard-fought and exciting. Hope you can be there to see it. If not, watch it on television.

Do you want to refresh your memory of the first Stanford/Cal game this season? Read this and this.

Here are stories about the upcoming game:

February 20, 2008

Vote for national awards for Candice and Jayne

Candice and Jayne are in the running for three national awards, two of which are partially decided by fan votes.

CLASS

The Lowe's Senior CLASS Women's Award is presented annually to an NCAA Division I female senior basketball player who excels both on and off the court, based on personal qualities that define a complete student athlete. Does that sound like someone you know? Candice is one of the ten candidates on the final women's ballot.

Here is more information about the CLASS award:
  • The women's ballot, This is where you cast your votes. One vote from a specific source is allowed each 24 hours during the final month of the season.

    The source of online fan votes is recorded with cookies. This means that you can vote, not just once, but once from each browser on each computer that you have access to. Firefox and IE on your work computer, home computer and laptop? That's six votes from you! Can we support Candice as well as the University of Kentucky has supported Sarah Elliott?
  • History
  • Selection process and criteria

Naismith

The Atlanta Tipoff Club's Naismith Women's Trophy is awarded to the women's player of the year. Candice and Jayne are two of the 31 candidates on the mid-season list.

Fan voting counts for 25% of the final vote. You can participate in the voting by texting “VOTE” to 87654. When you do so, you'll be notified that you are registered and will receive the final ballot on March 23.

Here is more information about the Naismith Award:

Wade Trophy

The State Farm Wade Trophy Player of the Year is presented annually to the best women's basketball player in NCAA Division I. Candice and Jayne are two of the 23 candidates. (Note: CSTV.com recently published what they called a midseason Wade Watch list that did not include Jayne. There isn't an official midseason list, and Jayne is still a candidate.)

Here is more information about the Wade Trophy:

February 19, 2008

Another record setter

Last week, in the game against Arizona, Jayne broke the Stanford single season record for blocked shots -- her own record of 61 that she had set as a freshman last year. She has averaged 2.3 blocks per game this season -- #1 in the Pac-10, #27 in the nation.

The Cardinal will play at least four more games this season. They may play 12 more. If the Cardinal goes all the way and Jayne continues the season at her current pace, she will have 90 blocks.

Other blocked shot records are in sight:
  • 201: The Stanford career record, held by Val Whiting, 1989-1993
  • 119: The Pac-10 single season record, held by Stefanie Kasperski, Oregon, 1988
  • 402: The Pac-10 career record, held by Stefanie Kasperski, Oregon, 1987-1990
Blocking is not Jayne's only skill:
  • Her field goal percentage is .574. That's #1 in the Pac-10 and #12 in the nation.
  • Her rebounding average is 9.0 per game. That's #2 in the Pac-10 and #49 in the nation.
  • She also averages 2.6 assists per game, outstanding for a post player. To put this in perspective, the rates for some other centers are Courtney Paris (1.6), Crystal Langhorne (1.3), Kia Vaughn (0.9), Sylvia Fowles (0.6).
So far in her career, Jayne has zero 3-point shots. This may change if she wins her bet with Tara. She may set a new record: Most 3-pointers by a center.

Jayne's outstanding performances against Arizona and Arizona State last week earned her the Pac-10 Player of the Week award, the third of her career.

February 18, 2008

Senior hugs and silver linings

By Sue Bair, The Bootleg

The Cardinal got blistering shooting from a trio of guards as they beat Arizona State soundly, 79-57. Candice Wiggins led the way on Senior Day with 23 points. Rosalyn Gold-Onwude and Jayne Appel added 17 points apiece while JJ Hones chipped in 11 points. (More ... )

February 17, 2008

Reports from Arizona

Here are a couple more ASU/Stanford game reports: And be sure to look at:
  • Don Anderson's Photo Gallery. It includes the usual game action shots plus lots of fun-with-pink photos and the senior tribute to Candice and Cissy after the game.
  • Bob Stevens' Videos. Bob recorded the postgame senior tribute, as well as the Stanford and ASU coach/player interviews.

February 16, 2008

Rising to the challenge

Tara said last week in regard to Jillian's absence, "It's a time where other people can make major contributions."

Ros stepped up to the challenge with a career-high 17 points, including a career-high five of six 3-pointers, and three assists.

JJ stepped up too with 11 points, including three of five 3-pointers, five assists and a steal.

Jayne played her usual strong game against tough defense: 17 points, nine rebounds, six assists and two steals.

And Candice finished her last regular-season game at Maples with 23 points, two assists and five steals.

Here are:

Five things to do today

Be at Maples Pavilion at 1:00 p.m.

Wear Pink

Contribute to the Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer Fund

Watch the Cardinal beat the Sun Devils for the 5th straight time

Give a virtual farewell hug to Candice and Cissy

February 15, 2008

Party time for Cardinal vs. Arizona?

Sue Bair's report of the Santa Clara game has been classified as non-premium by The Bootleg :

The Cardinal did not produce an inspired effort against Arizona, but Candice Wiggins did get to celebrate her birthday and Jayne Appel her new Stanford single-season record for blocked shots with a deceptively easy 69-46 triumph over the Wildcats. Kayla Pedersen added 18. Hannah Donaghe impressed with energy and hustle.

Enjoy!

Cardinal outplay Wildcats

Tara wasn't really excited about the Cardinal's performance against the Wildcats. But they out-scored, out-rebounded and generally outplayed Arizona for their 11th straight win.

Candice still made the difference, although she scored "only" 19 points. Kayla added 18, Jayne 12. Hannah scored the prettiest two points -- a graceful layup of Candice's full-court pass.

Jayne had another double-double and three blocks, breaking her own single-season record of 61 that she set a year ago.

February 14, 2008

Here comes Arizona

This is a big week for the Cardinal. They have to defend their Pac-10 second-place position from third-place ASU and an improving Arizona. And it's the last home week of the regular season. Do you think Charli will give Candice the graduation present she promised her?

It's a huge week for ASU, their last chance to show they can be as good as they expected to be this season.

Here are some stories from Stanford's viewpoint: ... from ASU: ... from the University of Arizona: ... and from Cal: Don't get so engrossed in reading all this that you forget to come to the game tonight!

February 13, 2008

Are You Thinking Pink Yet?

by Dave Cortesi

The Women's Basketball Coaches Association has organized "Think Pink" breast cancer awareness events at many games this month. Stanford's Think Pink event is next Saturday, February 16th. Here are some pictures from other teams' events that have already been held.
The Oregon band and visiting cheerleaders. Devanei Hampton and Rama N'diaye warming up Essence Carson asks Shannon Bobbit, "Where's your pink?" (ESPN)Two fans of the Hartford Hawks (SPMsportspage.com) An usher at OSU (Don Anderson)OSU Fans (Don Anderson)

February 12, 2008

Injury's tough; so is she

Here is a nice story about Jillian (and fellow Oregonian, JJ) from The Oregonian, by Jeff Smith.

February 11, 2008

Paye back

John Reid (Palo Alto Daily) writes of Kate Paye's return to Stanford as an assistant coach for the Cardinal.

Tara didn't suspect that Kate would become a coach someday. "Once she left law for coaching, I knew this was someone that, if we have an opening, I wanted to get."

"I just missed basketball too much," Kate said. "It means something extra special to be coaching at a place you played at, your alma mater. It's a program that has meant so much to me my entire life."

Card needs her harmonic game

Warren Grimes, contributing correspondent to The Bootleg, gives his thoughts on the multifaceted game of Cardinal junior forward Jillian Harmon and the impact of her recent foot injury on the Cardinal.

Don't it always seem to go
That you don't know what you've got till it's gone?


(More ... )

February 10, 2008

OSU hangs tough with Cardinal

It was a pleasant evening at Gill Colosseum among the season-record 3477 basketball fans. It seemed to me that the Beavers played a better, stronger game than the Oregon Ducks did on Thursday night. Perhaps that was partly due to the Cardinal not playing as well. Tara was certainly not pleased with their lack of energy. But my hopes that we play well enough to win and that no-one is injured were realized.

OSU hangs tough with Stanford by Brooks Hatch (Corvallis Gazette-Times)

Cardinal win 10th straight by Michelle Smith (San Francisco Chronicle)

The AP game recap from Stanford Athletics.

Box score and play-by-play

February 08, 2008

Cardinal roll over Ducks

There is a group of about 90 Stanford alumni in Eugene, Oregon. Those that are women's basketball fans welcomed the visiting Cardinal fans with a pizza party before the game.

After that, we walked next door to historic Mac Court, where we found Haagen-Daaz ice cream bars for just $3.50, the best mascot in the Pac-10, a good many very supportive fans and a young team that was no match for the Cardinal.

There were some unusual statistics in Oregon at 7:45 pm last night;
  • In Eugene, the score was Candice 15, Kayla 13, Oregon 12.
  • In Corvallis, the Oregon State Beavers had 13 points and 11 turnovers; Cal had 11 points and 12 turnovers. (But Cal pulled themselves together in the second half and won 56-45.)
Here are the reports of the Cardinal/Duck game:

February 07, 2008

The best of the best of the best

Rob Moseley (The Register-Guard) writing of Candice's last visit to Mac Court tonight says, "She’s the best of the best of the best."

And the Duck's coach, Bev Smith, says, “Her will is so strong.“It’s incredible to watch. It was incredible to watch in high school, and — unfortunately — it’s incredible to watch now. She gives me goosebumps sometimes in watching her will to win.”

Dick Rockne (Seattle Post-Intelligencer) says that she might be the Pac-10's best ever because she can do more things better than just about anybody.

Heading North

Scott Bland (The Stanford Daily) previews The Cardinal's trip to the Beaver State.

Tara says, “It’s a really great trip. The crowds are great. It has such a great tradition. We know it’s a tough place to play.”

Rob Mosely (Eugene Register-Guard) writes about the Ducks' resting up after their strenuous Arizona trip before taking on the Cardinal and Bears.

February 06, 2008

Bizarro Cardinal Out-Shoot Santa Clara

Fortunately, Sue Bair's premium-quality report of the Santa Clara game has been classified as non-premium by The Bootleg -- enjoy!

The Cardinal rode their best shooting day of the season to slide by the Santa Clara Broncos 96-74 at Santa Clara on Tuesday. JJ Hones scored a career-high 20 points on 5-6 shooting from beyond the arc.

(More ... )

JJ leads the way

JJ had the big game for the Cardinal last night -- she shot a career-high 20 points, including a career-high five 3-ptrs (of six). She also had three assists, two steals and her usual zero turnovers.

It was a night of 3-ptrs at Leavey Pavilion. No surprise -- that's the Bronco's strength. Their average this season is 7.7. But sadly, last night they were missing their leading scorer, Chandice Cronk, who suffered a torn ACL and MCL in their prior game against Gonzaga.

The surprise is that the 3-ptrs came from the Cardinal: JJ's five, three from Candice, two from Kayla!, and one each from Cissy, Hannah and Rosalyn, for a season-high total of 13, at a rate of 50%.

Here are the game reports:

February 05, 2008

Cardinal/Bruin Photo Gallery

SportsPage Magazine has just published their photo gallery of Saturday's game against UCLA. Here are a few of my favorites:

Next up, Santa Clara

Is Stanford Santa Clara's Tennessee? Not quite.

Tuesday is the 38th meeting between the Broncos and Cardinal. Stanford leads the series 27-11. The two teams last met on Nov. 29, 2006 when the Cardinal registered a 89-56 victory at home. The two teams have not played at the Leavey Center since the 1998-99 season, when SCU interrupted Stanford's six game series win streak with a 81-65 triumph.

The Broncos (16-5, 5-2 WCC), despite having a five-game winning streak snapped at Gonzaga Saturday, come into Tuesday's contest having won 12 of their last 14 contests. Under the guidance of sixth-year head coach Michelle Bento-Jackson, Santa Clara boasts four players averaging over 10 points a game: guards Chandice Cronk (17.1 ppg, 40.6% 3-pt.), Liz Doran (10.5 ppg, 44.9% 3-pt.), Tracey Walker (10.3 ppg, 4.79 apg), and forward Jen Gottschalk (16.5 ppg, 8.4 rpg).

Here are two articles about tonight's game:
  • Guards key to Stanford's success by Wyndam Makowsky (The Stanford Daily)

    The Cardinal offense is clicking at the right time, and the key seems to be the floor leadership of the guards — their increasing ability to create opportunities for themselves and others has led to good results.

    The Cardinal’s potent attack matches up well against Santa Clara, but, while Stanford has little to gain beyond a win, the Broncos could define their season with a victory tonight. They can place themselves right back on the bubble with a win over the highly ranked Cardinal tonight.

  • Bronco Busting by Haley Murphy (The Stanford Daily)

    Though the Broncos may be able to find an edge in free throws and threes, the story of the night, as usual, will be whether the Cardinal can remain focused on its own capabilities. Home court advantage and the prospect of a marquee win against Stanford should rally the Broncos, but they stand little chance barring a slip-up on the Cardinal’s end.

    The Cardinal heads to Santa Clara looking to focus on the weaker points of its own game, like shooting percentages from behind the arc and at the line. With seven consecutive victories and a No. 6 national ranking, Stanford has little to prove at Santa Clara beyond its continued success.

February 04, 2008

Pac-10 Player of the Week Again



Candice is Pac-10 Player of the Week for the second consecutive week, the fifth time this season and the ninth in her career (the conference record)!



Here's the official announcement

February 02, 2008

Don't push Kayla around

"I just wanted to come out there and be the aggressor and not let them push me around," she said. "I don't like people pushing me around."

She pushed back with a monster game: A career-high 28 points and 10 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 blocks and 3 steals.

Candice contributed 31 points; Jayne 9 points, 16 rebounds and 5 blocks.

It all added up to a very satisfying, although not pretty, win over UCLA.

Here are several game reports:

Jayne & Tara's bet

Jayne will get the green light to shoot three-pointers if she finishes first nationally in field-goal percentage. It's a win-win for everyone except Cardinal opponents.

Read more about how Jayne's doing this season in this article by Michelle Smith (San Francisco Chronicle)

February 01, 2008

More about the Stanford/USC game

Sue Bair (The Bootleg) has written her usual first-rate report of the game and Candice's new records:

Wiggins Gets Record as Card Wipe Out Trojans

Candice Wiggins and Stanford blew by Southern California Thursday evening at Maples Pavilion, prevailing 77-51 to avenge a painful defeat in Los Angeles. Wiggins scored 18 points to pass Kate Starbird and become the all-time Stanford scoring leader with 2222 points and counting. (More ...)



Don Anderson wasn't able to photograph the game. In an attempt to compensate for that, here are a few photos from the AP Wire Service. You'll find more photos in Stanford Photo.

Candice sets new career scoring and free throw records

Lots of reports today of Candice's new Stanford career scoring record and the win over USC.

None of them mention that the free throw that tied Kate Starbird's record also broke the Stanford career free throw record (481) held by Val Whiting.

Wiggins gets record, Stanford gets the win by Rick Eymer (Palo Alto Online)

Wiggins passed Kate Starbird as Stanford's all-time leader when she grabbed an offensive rebound and converted it with 8:21 left to play in the first half.

Wiggins breaks scoring record by Michelle Smith (San Francisco Chronicle)

It wasn't one of her soft-touch three-pointers, or an explosive drive through the lane that officially put Candice Wiggins in a class by herself. Instead, it was a simple put-back of a Jeanette Pohlen miss, a play that so perfectly encapsulates Wiggins' remarkable college career. Always at the right place at the right time.

Farm's Finest by Wyndam Makowsky (The Stanford Daily)

“She’s right up there with anyone I’ve coached against,” Mark Trakh said. “She’s an exceptional player that will be very good on the next level. I’d rather sit in the stands and watch her play someone else. Her graduation day will be one to celebrate.”

Stanford's Wiggins sets career points record by Elliott Almond (Mercury News)

"It's great to get it over with, the whole record thing," said Wiggins, who wasn't thinking about it before the game.

Here are the AP game recap, photo gallery and the box score from Stanford Athletics.