Belated Celebrations and Exciting Anticipations

 

Warren Grimes

Stanford won the national championship by the narrowest of margins – two one point victories against South Carolina and Arizona.  No matter.  Hard fought games are good for the sport, and it’s still a championship with no asterisk (unless it be a note on the pandemic). 

Had they lost, the Stanford 2020-2021 team would still be amazing.  The team had talent – lots and lots of it – and it had attitude.  An example of this was the comeback win in the regional final against an excellent Louisville team.  For what it’s worth, that’s my favorite game of the tournament run. 

Under a nationally recognized coach, Jeff Walz, Louisville began the season 16-0 and had only 3 losses (one more than Stanford) going into the quarterfinal.  Louisville was and is a physical team – their physicality was key in trouncing Stanford by 27 points in the sweet sixteen game in 2018.   In this covid season, Louisville had held opponents to an average 60.7 points per game, and no opponent had scored more than 76.  In its first three NCAA tournament games, Louisville opponents had averaged less than 48 points per game.

In the first half, Louisville’s physical defense had its way.  Stanford was held to just 26 first half points, and trailed by 12 at half time.  Cameron Brink blocked 4 shots, and stifled Louisville’s interior game, but could not stop three pointers (6 for 10) or pull up jumpers.  Stanford got 11 points from an ever-scrappy Lexie Hull and 6 points from Brink, but overall shooting was miserable (under 28%) and three point shooting was worse (1 for 9).   Kiana Williams converted her first shot attempt, but then missed 10 in a row.   

The first three minutes of the third quarter really belonged to the first half.  With just over 7 minutes left in the third quarter, Stanford had added just 3 points, and Louisville had extended its lead to 14 points. 

For the last 17 minutes of the game, push the “wow” button – it was a truly memorable comeback.  This remarkable Stanford team outscored Louisville by 29 points (49 to 20) and won by a 15 point margin.  Stanford's 52 point second half scoring put it only 2 points short of the team's total points against Arizona in the championship game.  And this was against an excellent defensive team. 

It all began with Stanford's defense.  Stanford had 4 second half steals, two by Williams and two by Lexie Hull.  In the second half, Stanford had 16 defensive boards (to Louisville’s 7).  In the last 17 minutes, Louisville’s only scoring threat was Dana Evans, and she, despite some sharp 3 point shooting, was only 5 for 13 in the second half.   

On offense, Williams broke her personal scoring draught with a jump shot with 6:46 left in the third quarter.  Then, with just over 5 and ½ minutes left in the quarter, and Stanford still trailing by 12, Ashten Prechtel entered the game.

Prechtel had the best 15 plus minutes of her Stanford career.  She didn’t miss a shot until the very end (when she missed a second free throw).  Her 3 for 3 performance from the three point line was a dagger in the heart for Louisville.   “What a great substitution,” said Jeff Walz.  “She won the game for them.” 

From the point of Prechtel's entry, the score was Prechtel 16, Louisville 18.  OK, but Prechtel had lots and lots of help.  Her teammates more than doubled Prechtel's output.

Haley Jones contributed drives that resulted in lay ups or, in one case, a beautiful feed to Prechtel.  The three point club wasn’t just Prechtel – Williams, Lexie Hull, and Anna Wilson joined the party.  In the second half, Lexie Hull and Williams were double digit scorers, and Jones had 8 points and 2 assists.  Then there were the steals from Williams and Hull.

Stanford started the fourth quarter still down by 2, but it was now blow-out time.  Stanford made all 5 of its three point attempts and outscored Louisville 30 to 13 in the fourth quarter.

Prechtel put up what may well be the greatest performance ever by a second half Stanford substitute.  In addition to 6 for 6 shooting from the field, she had 4 assists, 2 blocks, and 3 boards.  If she did not win the game for Stanford, she certainly disheartened Louisville and was largely responsible for the 15 point margin at the end.  The psychological impact of Prechtel’s performance was as uplifting for her Stanford teammates as it was deflating to Louisville.

Fast forward a week to another of my favorite tournament moments.  Stanford had just eked out its one point national championship victory.  The nets were cut down, the second of them by Tara VanDerveer.  Still on the ladder, VanDerveer turned and beckoned for Anna Wilson.  What followed was an emotive moment.  

She handed the net to Wilson.

I was touched.  There were lots of heroic performances this season.  Wilson’s quiet leadership set the example.  No one was more focused, more humble, and more deserving than Anna Wilson. 

So what about next season?  I promised exciting expectations. 

Championships I cannot predict, but Stanford will be a formidable team next year.  With or without Anna Wilson (and without Williams), Stanford will still be a team with great depth next year.  There may be uncertainty at the point guard position, but the team adds four highly ranked freshmen (one a potential point guard), and returns 3 (and maybe 4) of the 5 starters from a national championship team.

Stanford also returns amazing substitutes like Prechtel.  And at least two other players who have started many games: Fran Belibi and Lacie Hull.  

Hang onto your hats –

And stay safe.  

Little Things That Mattered

 

Warren Grimes

As Coach VanDerveer has put it, it’s a national championship.  That’s in the record. That’s what will be remembered. 

It’s a bipolar result.  You either win – or you lose, with little solace to the loser.  In fact, in this NCAA tournament, there were five teams, and maybe more, that could easily have taken home the trophy.  In addition to Stanford, Arizona, South Carolina, U Conn., Baylor, and maybe Louisville could have easily ended up on top of the heap. 

So why did Stanford win?  Was it finally Stanford’s turn?  Were the gods of fortune finally on Tara VanDerveer’s side? 

I have a modest answer.  It’s the focus on little things.  When you do them well, your odds of winning a N/C increase.  Little things matter on both defense and offense, but the defense is what really characterized the final four games.  The final four teams were all great on defense.  Arizona and Stanford held high scoring teams to well below season averages, and so did their opponents.  It was the little things that finally determined victory. 

Let’s take the final moments as Stanford held on to defeat Arizona.  First, give Arizona credit for holding Stanford without a shot in Stanford’s final possession.  Then, with a bit over 6 seconds remaining, it was Stanford’s turn.  Everyone watching the game expected Arizona to put the ball in Ari McDonald’s hands.  They did. 

Stanford’s defense was unsurprising, but it was essential that it be well executed, without fouling this amazing three point shooter.  Stanford would keep Anna Wilson on McDonald and then, in the closing seconds, all nearby Stanford perimeter defenders would close in on McDonald, foreclosing a drive to the hoop and making a three pointer more difficult. 

By the time McDonald launched her three pointer with less than 2 seconds left, Wilson was in front of her, Lexie Hull was to her left, and Cameron Brink was to her right.  All were advancing with high hands on McDonald, who nonetheless got the shot away cleanly.  But the defense had worked.

McDonald missed and Stanford won the N/C.

Two days earlier, as Stanford eked out a narrow victory against South Carolina, It was again the little things that mattered.  Stanford had possession and a one point lead.  But as Stanford inbounded at half court with 9 seconds left, it went to Cameron Brink, who lost possession to Aliyah Boston (Brink may have been hacked).  As soon as the change of possession occurred, Ashten Prechtel closed on Boston, winning a few critical seconds.  Boston nonetheless managed to get the ball to Brea Beal, streaking toward her team’s basket. 

But Beal was not destined to get a clean breakaway lay in.  Instead, it was Lexie Hull who was going step for step with Beal, and forcing an awkward angled lay up from the left side.  It was off the mark.  In the last second, Boston tried to tip the ball in, but she too was surrounded by a gaggle of defenders (Prechtel, Brink and Jones).   Boston could and perhaps should have converted, but the defenders helped to lessen the odds.

None of these little things show up in the stats.  But the focus and determination showed by Stanford players were key to winning these one point games. 

A favorite tournament game?  I nominate the regional final against Louisville because of the third and fourth quarter comeback that ultimately put the game out of reach.  For Stanford fans, the last few minutes were relatively stress free.

Looking at Stanford’s last three tournament games (against Louisville, South Carolina, and Arizona), it’s easy to pick out statistical heroes. 

The stats would give first place to Lexie Hull, who averaged a double-double: 16.3 points and 10.7 boards; second place would go to Haley Jones, who averaged 17 points and 7.3 boards.  In terms of clutch baskets, particularly in the last two games, I would give first place to Haley Jones.  Either way, they are both heroes.

A really nice third place award would go to Ashten Prechtel, who came off the bench to average 10.6 points and 6.3 boards.  Against Louisville, Prechtel did not enter the game until half way through the third quarter, but then she made a spectacular difference, making all of her shots (three of them were 3-pointers) and chalking up 16 vital points.

Then there is Kiana Williams, who had sub par scoring in these three games, but still held the team together with ball handling, assists, and clutch baskets.  Brink scored, rebounded, and blocked shots – lots of them.  She was a key to keeping the opponents’ points in the paint to well below seasonal average.  And Anna Wilson – wow, I’m so glad she stayed at Stanford for this extra year.  Her defense exemplifies the little things that matter. 

As for Tara VanDerveer, she told the press that winning national championships is not why she coaches.  She sees herself, first and foremost, as a teacher, motivator, and mentor for all the great players who have worn the Stanford uniform.  Of course VanDerveer still likes to win.  She does what she does for the players, for the fans, and for Stanford University. 

Thank you Tara!