Only Tess, Markisha represent Stanford at Kezar

About 15 fans were hoping to see as many as six current Stanford women’s basketball players at San Francisco’s Kezar Pavilion on July 11, but only one arrived.

Senior center/forward Tess Picknell was the only current Cardinal player in that day’s Pro-Am competition. Her team, San Francisco, played the second game against East Bay. A schedule conflict meant that I couldn’t stay for that game, but the final result was San Francisco 86, East Bay 79.

Tess’s San Francisco teammate, freshman guard Alexa Romano, was among those who didn’t arrive.

In the first game, fans missed seeing two other freshmen, forward Shannon Coffee and guard Marta Sniezek for Bay City, and junior guards Lili Thompson and Briana Roberson for Palo Alto TnT.

However, a Stanford alum, guard Markisha Coleman, ’07, was there for Bay City. A crafty player, she contributed 5 points, including one 3-pointer, three rebounds and at least one assist to Bay City’s 94-54 thrashing of Palo Alto TnT.

Presumably Lili missed the game because her father, Greg, was to receive his master’s degree that afternoon. No reason was given for the other players’ absence.

Indicative of the competition’s loose setup, it’s not unusual for any player to miss a Pro-Am game. Consequently, teams rarely have their full roster present. Sometimes they have just enough to put five players on the floor.

While getting ready for her game, Tess said that among other activities this summer, she’s working on the backstage crew for Stanford Repertory Theater’s production of Noël Coward’s “Hay Fever” playing July 16 to Aug. 9 in Pigott Theater, Memorial Auditorium For tickets and information, visit stanford.edu/group/repertorytheater/cgi-bin/srt/.

Mission Recreation Center’s team, featuring two sophomores forward Kaylee Johnson and guard Brittany McPhee, had a bye.

All four teams with Stanford players are scheduled Saturday, July 18. The 1:30 p.m. game features Bay City, with Shannon, Marta and Markisha on the roster, versus San Francisco, with Tess and Alexa on the roster. The 3:30 p.m. game will pit Palo Alto TnT, with Lili and Bri on the roster, versus Mission Rec, with Kaylee and Brittany on the roster.

Kezar Pavilion is on the east side of Golden Gate Park at 755 Stanyan St., between Waller and Frederick streets.

Admission is free. A pay-by-the-hour parking lot is next door.