Tantalizing taste of 2009-10

It was only a glorified scrimmage between two less-than-polished teams, but Cardinal fans got a tantalizing look at what’s to come when Bay Pride beat Golden State 81-66 in the women’s division of the Bay Area Pro-Am on July 5 at Kezar Pavilion in San Francisco.

The drawing card for the approximately two dozen Stanford fans at the game was incoming freshmen Joslyn Tinkle and Mikaela Ruef. (Krista Rappahahn, ’06, is on the Bay Pride roster but wasn’t there to play.) Both 6'3" and blonde, Joslyn and Mikaela could pass for sisters in looks. The two post players also share some similarities in playing style, though Joslyn seems to have the advantage at this point. She finished with a game-high 29 points, while Mikaela had 7. Mikaela, whose defensive skills need some polish, was hampered by foul trouble, picking up three in the first half and another fairly early in the second.

On the other hand, her scoring included a 3-pointer in the second half, as well as several rebounds. It also seemed that she and Joslyn were tuning into each other more often in the second half — something that will serve them well at Stanford.

Joslyn has some nifty moves under the basket, and — like Mikaela — she isn’t afraid to shoot from the outside. Both of her 3-pointers came consecutively early in the second half, pushing her team ahead after the score was tied 37-37 at the break. Her first play of the second half was a steal, which also helped her team pull away. She’s also a good shot blocker. Both she and Mikaela run the floor well.

I chatted with them briefly after the game and found both to be friendly and upbeat. They’re happy to be at Stanford but disappointed that NCAA rules won’t allow them to join the team on its trip to Italy in September. Joslyn looked on the bright side, though, saying she and Mikaela can go home for the month between summer and fall terms.

They’re working out with center Jayne Appel and guards JJ Hones and Hannah Donaghe in the weight room, Joslyn said. The three upperclassmen are all rehabbing from knee surgery, so they can’t scrimmage right now.

Bay Pride, now 2-1, plays again at 2 p.m. July 11, at 4 p.m. July 19 and at 1 p.m. Aug. 2. Playoffs are Aug. 8 and 9 with the championship game Aug. 15. Kezar is at 755 Stanyan St. at Waller on the far east end of Golden Gate Park. There’s paid parking next door. Kezar’s amenities are minimal at best, but it’s fun to watch this part of Stanford’s future.