Thanks for the memories, Part 1 of 2

 

The team took home a trophy after winning the Bull Dawgs Classic over Thanksgiving, and Kiki (third from left) took home one as the tournament's most valuable player. (Stanford Athletics)

The Stanford women’s basketball team ended the 2023-24 season with a 30-6 record and gave fans much to like.

During the season, Stanford bounced around in AP’s weekly ratings. It began with its lowest rating, No. 15, to start the season and soared as high as No. 2 on March 4.

It wound up being a bittersweet season because it was the last for the Pac-12 conference as we’ve known it. Instead, 10 of the teams will leave for other conferences, including the Atlantic Coast Conference, the destination for Stanford and Cal.

On top of that, on April 9, head coach Tara VanDerveer announced that she is retiring from coaching as of May 9. She said her decision was not related to going to the ACC. Instead, she said she felt it was time.

However, she will remain with the program as a consultant and adviser, so she’ll have a presence at Stanford. Associate head coach Kate Paye has been named to succeed her. Jeanette Pohlen, director of player development, will join Kate on the bench as a coach.

But for now it’s time to recall the season’s ups and downs, mostly ups.

Freshmen, new coaches join the team

When the summer of 2023 began, the team welcomed its Tree-O of freshmen: forward Nunu Agara, guard Chloe Clardy and forward Courtney Ogden.

Also welcomed back to the Farm was assistant coach Tempie Brown, who was an assistant there from 2013-20. Then, thanks to new NCAA rules, Stanford grad Erica “Bird” McCall, ’17, became the fifth member of the coaching staff.

Nine of the 12 players were on campus. The two Greek players, junior Elena Bosgana and sophomore Stavi Papadaki, both guards, were in their home country playing on national teams while taking classes remotely. Sophomore guard Talana Lepolo was in Madrid on the USA U-19 team.

Senior forward Cameron Brink was back after leading the USA 3x3 team to the 2023 FIBA World Cup in Vienna and being named MVP of the tournament.

Open practice, scrimmage preview team

Fans got a preview of the team during an open practice Oct. 23.

It was followed by a reception in the Hall of Champions, where Tara said that construction of new, more spacious locker rooms, training room, lounge and theater had caused the front lawn and handicapped parking area to be fenced off.  Men’s and women’s basketball and women’s volleyball will use the facilities.

A scrimmage Oct. 28 gave fans another preview before a 126-53 exhibition victory over Dominican University, a Division II team, on Nov. 1.

The starting lineup – grad guard Hannah Jump, Cam, junior forward Kiki Iriafen, Elena and Talana – remained the same for the rest of the season except when a starter couldn’t play.

Victories usher in season

The regular season started with an 87-40 victory over Hawaii. Kiki poured in 23 points and snared 13 rebounds while Nunu came off the bench to add 18 points and six rebounds.

Another home win followed Nov. 12 when Indiana fell 96-64.

Then came two more home wins: 86-32 over Cal Poly on Nov. 16 and 82-79 over Duke in overtime on Nov. 19, when Cam led the team with a career-high 29 points. After that game, Cam was named Pac-12 Player of the Week and National Player of the Week for the second straight time.

Team brings home trophies from tournament

The team took to the road for the first time, traveling to Henderson, Nev., for the Ball Dawgs Classic. It featured a 74-55 win over Belmont on Nov. 22 and a 100-88 victory over Florida State on Nov. 24, giving the team the tournament trophy. Kiki received a trophy as the tournament’s most valuable player after she posted a career-high 30 points and 17 rebounds against Florida State.

Returning home, the team defeated Albany 79-35 on Nov. 26. Hannah provided a game highlight when she made four 3s, including the 300^th of her career in the second quarter, and finished with 303 for her career to date.

After racking up a season record of 8-0, including an 85-44 win at San Diego State two days earlier, the team suffered its first loss, 96-78, at Gonzaga on Dec.3.

With finals over, the team resumed its winning ways by defeating Portland 81-51 at home Dec. 15 when only 10 players were available. Courtney and redshirt sophomore guard Jzaniya Harriel were in street clothes, as they were the following game.

That’s when UC Davis fell 92-52 at Maples on Dec. 20. This game was highlighted by Hannah’s record-setting 312^th and 313^th 3s, surpassing former teammate Kiana Williams, ’21, who held the previous record of 311.

Next: 2023 ends, Pac-12 play begins

 

 

 

Kate to lead the team

 

Kate gets a reminder of her playing days at Stanford.

It was long expected, but now it’s confirmed. Kate Paye is the new head coach of the Stanford women’s basketball team following the retirement of Tara VanDerveer.

She was officially introduced at a press conference April 17.

In his introduction, athletic director Bernard Muir joked that “this has been an exhaustive search.” He then gave the 1995 Stanford graduate the No. 3 jersey from her playing days.

During the question period that followed her prepared remarks, Kate said that Jeanette Pohlen, ’11, director of player development for the past two years, will move to the coaches’ bench as an assistant.

Jeanette will join returning coaches Katy Steding, Tempie Brown and Erica “Bird” McCall. There was no word on who will take her player development job.

The press conference was attended by Kate’s family, the coaches and Tara, the staff and the nine returning players plus the graduating Hannah Jump.

Kiki Iriafen, who has entered the transfer portal, wasn’t there. Asked if her destination is known, Tempie said it wasn’t but that “we’re working on it” in seeing if she will return.

Since next season’s team will again have 12 players, including the three incoming freshmen, theoretically three slots are open, assuming that Kiki doesn’t return. Kate said that she and her staff plan to use the portal when possible but won’t build on it. They want players who value an education, she said.

In her prepared remarks, Kate said, “This is an exciting day for me and my family.”

Tara is retiring, and Kate is succeeding her.

She pledged to “work tirelessly every day,” as she thanked the many people who have helped her and the program. She thanked Tara for all her contributions to the program and women’s basketball and “for entrusting me with your life’s work.” She also thanked retired associate head coach Amy Tucker, whom she called a “coach, mentor and friend.”

Completing her remarks, she said. “We’re not going to change for the sake of change. … We will play Stanford basketball.”

Responding to questions, she looked ahead to the challenges of next season, when Stanford will move from the Pac-12 Conference to the Atlantic Coast Conference, which has a preponderance of eastern teams, “We will figure it out.”

She hopes to play more pre-season games on the West Coast. When it’s time to travel to distant schools, class loads will be adjusted and players will likely study on the plane.

A reception in the Hall of Champions followed the press conference. Looking over the room were two lighted signs hailing her as the new head coach.

Stanford Athletics photos

 

 

Tara's retirement announcement, then the banquet

 

Stanford women’s basketball players, staff and fans got together one last time to celebrate the team and its accomplishments at the annual banquet April 10 at the alumni center.

This time, though, it had a different tone because that morning head coach Tara VanDerveer announced in a press conference that she is retiring from coaching as of May 8. However, she will remain with the program as a consultant and adviser, so she’ll still have a presence at Stanford.

At both the press conference and the banquet, the 70-year-old coach seemed at peace with her decision. She said that it was the right time and that it wasn’t because of the challenges of Stanford’s move into the ACC next season.

Kate to succeed Tara

The team will still be in good hands, though, because associate head coach Kate Paye will succeed her at the helm.

With 1,216 wins during her 45-year coaching career, including 38 years at Stanford, Tara is the all-time winningest college basketball coach for either women or men.

After the buffet dinner, she opened the program by saying that this was women’s basketball’s 50^th year at Stanford and citing the team’s many accomplishments. She also noted that during her 38 years, the team was never swept at home in the Pac-12 Conference.

With a motto of “Best year ever,” the team made Stanford’s 29^th trip to the Sweet 16, chalked up its 18th season with at least 30 wins (30-6) and won its 27^th Pac-12 season title, more than any other team.

During the program she thanked the numerous people who have contributed to the team’s success.

Players praised

She then called up the three freshmen, the Tree-O, they call themselves. Guard Chloe Clardy, the first player from Arkansas, was third on the team in steals and earned a 4.0 average during the winter quarter.

Forward Courtney Ogden can play four positions and earned honorable mention on the Pac-12 all-freshman team, as did forward Nunu Agara, who played in every game and was best on the team in free-throw percentage.

Tara’s advice to these first-year players: “Copy Kiki and get in the gym.” She was referring to junior forward Kiki Iriafen, who made significant improvement from her first two seasons.

Among the sophomores, guards Stavi Papadaki and Lauren Green didn’t play much, but they worked hard and served on the scout team during practices. Tara said. Stavi will play for the Greek national team in her home country this summer, as she did last year.

Tara praised their classmate, guard Talana Lepolo, who started at the point and had 139 assists, for her composure, coachability, unselfishness and tough defense.

After introducing the eight male practice players and other student aides, Tara asked the juniors to the podium.

Guard Jzaniya Harriel played twice as many minutes this season than she did last year.

Forward Brooke Demetre is “the quintessential student-athlete,” Tara said.

Guard Elena Bosgana, like Stavi, will play in her home country Greece during the summer. Stanford was undefeated when she scored in double points, Tara said

Kiki was the team’s leading scorer averaging 19.4 points per game and racked up 36 against Oregon. “The bigger the game, the better she played,” Tara said. She received many awards and, like Chloe, had a 4.0 last quarter.

Coaches next, followed by seniors

Next came the coaches, including coaching fellow Erin Poindexter McHan. Tara had lavish praise for assistant coaches Erica “Bird” McCall, Tempie Brown and Katy Steding along with Kate, whom she called “a phenomenal coach.”

Finally, the two seniors, who have accumulated a batch of honors between them, came to the front. Tara said she’s thankful that grad guard Hannah Jump decided to return for her fifth year of eligibility to earn her master’s degree. She played in a record 167 games over her career, never fouled out and launched 364 3s, a school record.

Speaking to the crowd, Hannah said she’s grateful to Tara, who has had “a tremendous impact on women’s basketball.”

Forward Cameron Brink had “outstanding career,” Tara said. She was named an All-American by several organizations and had 424 blocks. Only Brittney Griner and Courtney Paris, playing for other teams in the past, had more.

Cam thanked the donors and fans and paid tribute to the coaches and her family for their support.

A video of season highlights came next. Besides all the baskets made by individuals, I was most impressed by the passing and assists, indicators of the team’s unselfishness.

And as the crowd gave Tara a standing ovation, she said her career and this year have been “a magical experience for me,” as they have been for the team’s fans.

 

 

 

Sweet but not Elite

 

Cameron and Hannah have played their last game for Stanford. (Stanford Athletics)

It was the best of times; it was the worst of times.

Unfortunately, the best of times was the end of the first half when the Stanford women’s basketball team had a 10-point lead, 37-27, over North Carolina State in a Sweet 16 matchup in Portland on March 29.

However, the worst of times came at the final buzzer as the Cardinal lost to the Wolfpack 67-77 to end the season.

Stanford was hurt by foul trouble by its two best players. Junior forward Kiki Iriafen did her best with 26 points and 10 rebounds despite playing only 22 minutes while accumulating four fouls.

Senior forward Cameron Brink ended her Stanford career by fouling out early in the fourth quarter after scoring 13 points, collecting nine rebounds and making all seven of the team’s blocks.

Playing all 40 minutes, grad guard Hannah Jump also ended her Stanford career with 13 points, helped by three 3’s. Junior forward Brooke Demetre and Cam each had one 3.

The team had 24 assists but 14 turnovers to NC State’s seven.

The game saw five lead changes and three ties.

Going into the game, assistant coach Erica “Bird” McCall was named a WBCA Thirty Under 30 honoree for the season.

Now it’s back to campus for the start of spring quarter classes April 1.

The team will be honored at the annual banquet April 10 as Cam awaits the WNBA draft April 15, when she is expected to be a high pick.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dancing shoes ready for the Portland regional

Freshman forward Nunu Agara and  Kiki celebrate during the Iowa State game. 

Is there a cardiologist in the house?

That could have been the cry in Maples on March 24 when the two-seeded Stanford women’s basketball team won a thrilling 87-81 victory over seven-seeded Iowa State in the second round of the NCAA tournament.

Thus the team erased the bad taste left by its second-round upset loss to Ole Miss last year.

Perhaps the band knew something this year as it played ABBA’s “Dancing Queen” before the game started. Yes, the team keeps on dancing as it advances to the Sweet 16 regional in Portland, where it will play three-seeded North Carolina State at 4:30 p.m. March 29.

But it wasn’t easy. Twelve ties and 18 lead changes kept the crowd of more than 5,800 in suspense until the final seconds of overtime.

Late in the first quarter, Stanford held a 4-point lead as the crowd often booed calls against the Cardinal, but the Cyclones led by 7 points at the buzzer. They led by 2 points at the half. The third ended in a 50-50 tie, as did the fourth, 66-66.

Kiki helped to defeat Iowa State. 

Kiki leads the way

The heroine of the game was junior forward Kiki Iriafen, who finished with 41 points and 16 rebounds. The last time a Stanford player posted a similar double-double in an NCAA tournament was Jayne Appel, ’10, who had 16 rebounds and 46 points against none other than Iowa State in 2009, Stanford Athletics reported. Kiki also had four assists, three blocks and a steal.

Playing in her final game at Stanford, grad guard Hannah Jump was the only other Cardinal in double figures with 15 points, thanks in part to her three 3’s.

Also contributing to Stanford’s eight 3’s were sophomore guard Talana Lepolo and junior forward Brooke Demetre with two each, while redshirt sophomore guard Jzaniya Harriel had one.

On the other hand, Iowa State hoisted 12 3’s. It also had more rebounds, 42-36, but Stanford had more assists, more blocks and fewer turnovers.

Also playing in her final Maples game, senior forward Cameron Brink had five blocks but an unusually low 8 points and eight rebounds because fouls limited her playing time to just 22 minutes. She fouled out late in the fourth quarter.

Like the rest of the game, the overtime was a nail-biter as Stanford mostly held a 2-point lead until the final 18.4 seconds. That’s when Brooke hit a clutch 3 and then made two free throws with under 12 seconds left to virtually ice the win. Kiki added some insurance with two more free throws.

One of the big concerns going into this game was how to contain Iowa State’s freshman center Audi Crooks. She had 40 points and 12 rebounds in Iowa State’s 93-86 win over 10-seeded Maryland in the first-round.

Stanford succeeded on that front, limiting her to 10 points before she fouled out early in the overtime. However, guard Emily Ryan broke loose for 36 points, helped by her six 3’s.

Players on the bench react to a Stanford score against Norfolk State. 

Elena helps lead the team over Norfolk State

In the team’s first-round 79-50 victory over Norfolk State on March 22, junior guard Elena Bosgana opened the scoring with a 3-pointer.

The team stayed ahead for the rest of the game, expanding its margin from 3 points after the first quarter to 13 at the half, 21 after the third and 29 at the final buzzer.

Elena’s opening 3 was the first of her four. Hannah also had four, and freshman forward Courtney Ogden topped it off with one.

Everyone was available, and everyone played.

Elena led the team in scoring with a career-high 18 points. Kiki and Cam were right behind her with 17 each. Cam also had team highs of 15 rebounds and six blocks. Kiki was close to a double-double with nine rebounds. Hannah had 13 points. Three other players scored.

Cam’s time was limited by fouls. She collected her second slightly past the halfway mark of the second quarter and added a third early in the third quarter.

Although Norfolk’s players were shorter than Stanford’s, the Spartans’ disruptive defense contributed to Stanford’s 14 turnovers, in part the result of 10 steals.

Fans enjoy timeout antics

For the more than 4,500 fans’ enjoyment during timeouts there were, among others, a Sock Toss, Great Hair Cam and, in the fourth quarter, the Mascot Dance-off between the Tree and the agile Mr. Spartan, who wowed the crowd with splits.

In earning the right to face Stanford, seven-seeded Iowa State defeated 10-seeded Maryland 93-86 in the day’s earlier game.

During that game, head coach Tara VanDerveer and assistant coaches Erica “Bird” McCall and Tempie Brown scouted at a table along the east courtside while the team, assistant coach Katy Steding, associate head coach Kate Paye and other staffers watched from the lower southeast section.

Cardinal players, coaches honored

Before the tournament began, Stanford finished the regular season ranked #5 by AP and raked in several honors: Cam was named a first team AP All-American and an ESPN All-American, and Kiki was an honorable mention AP All-American.

Kate was named WBCA Assistant Coach of the Year, and Tempie was part of the A Step Up Assistant Coaches Hall of Fame Class of 2024.

The team has a break from classes after the winter quarter exams ended March 22. Spring quarter classes start April 1. 

Photos by Stanford Athletics

Pac-12 tournament title evades team

 

Backed by teammates and the band, Cam and Hannah are interviewed after the OSU win. (Stanford Athletics)

Entering the last-ever Pac-12 tournament on March 10, the Stanford women’s basketball team had hoped for another championship, but it wasn’t to be.

Leading up to the final game in Las Vegas, top seed Stanford had defeated Cal 71-57 on March 7 and Oregon State 66-57 on March 8. In both games, the Cardinal had to come from behind.

They couldn’t do it again against second seed USC, losing 61-74, even though USC had survived a grueling double overtime win against UCLA in the semi-finals. USC also beat Stanford 58-67 on Feb. 2.

Except for the third quarter, when both teams scored 13 points, USC outscored Stanford the rest of the way.

Aside from the final score, one glaring difference was rebounds, an area in which Stanford usually excels. USC had 48, Stanford 28. Free throws also favored USC, which made 11 of 12 to Stanford’s four of seven.

Senior forward Cameron Brink led the team with 19 points, 10 rebounds and all six of the team’s blocks. Junior forward Kiki Iriafen was right behind her with 18 points and seven rebounds.

No other Cardinal was in double figures, but junior guard Elena Bosgana was close with 9 points. Five other players scored.

USC had nine 3’s to Stanford’s seven. Cam had three of them, while Elena, grad guard Hannah Jump, junior forward Brooke Demetre and sophomore guard Talana Lepolo each had one.

After the game, Cam and Kiki were among the five players named to the All- Tournament Team.

The tournament loss dropped Stanford to No. 4 from No. 2 in AP’s March 11 national poll.

Here’s how the first two tournament games unfolded;

Stanford wins final Pac-12 Battle of the Bay

Cal had Stanford on its heels throughout the first half of the quarter-final game before the Cardinal pulled out the 71-57 win on March 7.

Seeded No. 8, Cal had defeated ninth seed Washington State 65-44 the previous day, while No. 1 seed Stanford had the bye.

The Bears looked as if they might continue in the victory column as they led 36-28 at the half. During that half they launched a hail of 3’s and seemingly pulled down more rebounds.

Returning after the break, Stanford outscored Cal in each of the next two quarters to win. The Cardinal also had more rebounds for the game (50-44) and fewer fouls (10-18). All those fouls by Cal led to an 11-point Stanford advantage at the free-throw line.

Kiki led the way with 28 points, 18 rebounds and five assists for her 15^th double-double of the season. She was the first Stanford player with at least 25 points and 15 rebounds in a tournament game since Chiney Ogwumike, ’14, against USC in the 2014 semi-finals.

Elena tied her career high with 16 points and contributed eight rebounds and four assists.

Cameron was right behind her with 15 points, 14 rebounds and the team’s only block. Her playing time was limited to 27 minutes because she was in foul trouble with a total of four. The first one was early in the first quarter when Cal was ahead 7-1.

Talana, the only other Cardinal to score, had 12 points.

Elena with four and Talana with three were the only Cardinal players to make 3’s. Usually sharp-shooting Hannah was held scoreless.

Stanford wins season awards

Earlier in the week Stanford dominated Pac-12 season awards. In a vote by the head coaches, Cam was named Player and Defensive Player of the year. Kiki was named Most Improved Player. Head coach Tara VanDerveer was named John R. Wooden Pac-12 Coach of the Year.

Both Cam and Kiki were all Pac-12 for the third year, while Hannah and Talana received honorable mention. Cam was named to the conference’s all-defensive team. Forwards Nunu Agara and Courtney Ogden received honorable mention for the all-freshman team.

On top of that, Cam was named the national Player of the Week on March. 5.

Brooke and Hannah celebrate during the OSU game. (Stanford Athletics)

Same slow start, same victorious outcome

It was déjà vu in the first half of the semi-final game against fourth-seeded Oregon State on March 8, and it was déjà vu in the second half as Stanford surged ahead to win 66-57.

OSU outscored Stanford 24-12 in the first quarter, but Stanford had the edge in the second, leading to an 8-point deficit at the half. Stanford then had a huge third quarter, scoring 23 points to OSU’s 8. The Cardinal also prevailed in the fourth quarter to advance.

In a turnaround from the previous game, Hannah broke loose, leading her team with 20 points, thanks in large part to her four 3’s.

Cam almost had a triple-double with 16 points, 12 rebounds and nine assists. Kiki was close behind with 14 points, nine rebounds and four assists. Both were in foul trouble with four each.

Completing the list of those in double figures, Brooke had 10 points.

Unlike the previous game, in which only four players scored, this time seven players added points.

One notable stat: Stanford had 25 assists and only seven turnovers, surpassing OSU in both categories.

Besides Hannah’s four 3’s, the team’s other three 3’s came from Brooke with two and Cam with one.

After the game, Cam and Hannah were interviewed by a TV crew while their jubilant teammates, the band, cheerleaders, Tree and Dollies celebrated.

Now the team awaits the announcement of NCAA tournament seedings on March 17. Stanford is expected to be a top four seed with the chance to host the two first rounds starting March 22.

Before that, the players can focus on academics along with basketball. Winter quarter finals are March 18-22. Spring quarter classes start April 1.

 

Team returns from Oregon with two more wins

 

Playing OSU, Cam snared 24 rebounds, tying a record set by Chiney Ogwumike in 2013. (Stanford Athletics photo)

The Stanford women’s basketball team ended its last-ever regular season Pac-12 road trip by sweeping the Oregon schools. These two wins elevated Stanford to No. 2 from No. 3 in the March 4 AP poll. Senior forward Cameron Brink's dominant performance in both games led to her being named Pac-12 Player of the Week for the fifth time this season and 12th time in her career.

The trip started with a 67-63 win over Oregon State on Feb. 29 and a 76-56 win over Oregon on March 2.

In the Oregon game, the Cardinal were without the services of starting sophomore point guard Talana Lepolo, who reportedly was held out with leg issues. She was replaced by redshirt sophomore guard Jzaniya Harriel, who filled in nicely with 6 points and four assists.

The crowd of nearly 7,000 saw senior forward Cameron Brink lead the team with 18 points, 17 rebounds, five assists and three blocks despite amassing four fouls that limited her playing time.

Junior forward Kiki Iriafen was right behind her with 16 points, eight rebounds and four assists.

Grad guard Hannah Jump had 12 points in her 161^st game, a program record.

Junior forward Brooke Demetre also was in double figures with 11 points.

Nine 3’s helped to boost the score with three by Brooke, two each by Hannah and Jzaniya, and one each by junior guard Elena Bosgana and freshman forward Courtney Ogden.

During halftime of the Pac-12 Networks' Mary Murphy announced her season awards. Among them were Cam for Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year and Kiki for Most Improved Player.

Stanford stands alone as Pac-12 season champs

Playing in front of a highly partisan crowd of more than 8,100 in Corvallis, the team pulled out its 67-63 victory over Oregon State on Feb. 29, thereby assuring its claim to sole possession of the final Pac-12 season championship. At the time, Stanford was No. 4 in the AP national poll. Oregon State was No. 11.

“We’re greedy. We want it (the championship) all to ourselves,” Cam said in an interview immediately after the game. The team had assured itself of at least a share of the championship by defeating Arizona State on Feb. 25.

In the OSU game, Stanford was vastly aided by Cam’s 25 points and career-high 24 rebounds. Those rebounds tied the single game record set by Chiney Ogwumike, ’14, on Feb. 23, 2013, against Oregon.

Kiki was the only other Cardinal in double figures with 14 points. However, nine of the 10 players who got into the game added points.

Four of them had 3’s: Elena, Talana, Courtney and freshman forward Nunu Agara, each with one.

OSU’s only lead came when it scored the game’s first basket. After that, Stanford forged ahead to a 15-7 first-quarter lead that could have been greater except for some missed bunnies.

Cam collected her fourth foul in the fourth quarter and left the game for about a minute and a half. When she returned to action, the crowd booed.

The final three minutes were nail-biters. Stanford was nursing a 2-point lead at the three-minute mark and held the same advantage, 64-62, with less than a minute to go. That’s when Cam snared her 24th rebound.

Several seconds later, Talana made two crucial free throws to expand the lead to 66-62.

However, Cam fouled out with about seven seconds left, but OSU made only one of its two free throws, leading to a 66-63 score. Two seconds later, Kiki made one of two free throws to ice the win.

Now it’s on to the final Pac-12 tournament March 6-10 in Las Vegas. Because it has a first-round bye, Stanford will play its first game at 2:30 p.m. March 7 against the winner of the game between the eighth and ninth seeds on March 6.

If Stanford wins that one, it will play at 5 p.m. March 8. The championship game is at 2 p.m. March 10.

Selection Sunday for the NCAA tournament is at 5 p.m. March 17. Assuming Stanford gets a 1, 2, 3 or 4 seed, it will host the first two rounds of the tournament, playing either March 22 or 23, with the second round either March 24 or 25.

Team clinches at least a share of Pac-12 season title

Players and staff display the trophy, banner, hats and T-shirts honoring the Pac-12 season championship.

After a disappointing 61-68 loss to Arizona without senior forward Cameron Brink on Feb. 23, she and her teammates responded by defeating Arizona State 81-67 on Feb. 25 in the last-ever Pac-12 home game.

Afterward, as everyone awaited the start of the Senior Day ceremony to honor Cam and grad guard Hannah Jump, the videoboard showed the last few minutes of the USC-Utah game. Utah won, igniting a celebration because it meant that Stanford had clinched at least a share of the Pac-12 regular season title, its 27th.

Nevertheless, out came the championship T-shirts, hats, trophy and banner.

The weekend’s mixed results dropped Stanford to No. 4 from No. 3 in AP’s Feb. 26 national poll.

Although Cam was back in action to start the game, sophomore guard Talana Lepolo was in street clothes. It later was reported that she has had a knee problem and needed to take some time off.

Jzaniya replaces Talana

Redshirt sophomore guard Jzaniya Harriel started in her place as point guard and did well, becoming one of five Cardinal players in double figures.

Junior forward Kiki Iriafen led the way with 22 points plus 20 rebounds and four assists.

Cam added 14 points, nine rebounds and led the team in both assists with seven and blocks with five.

Jzaniya was next with 12 points. Hannah had 11, as did freshman forward Nunu Agara.

The team had eight 3’s, with four by Jzaniya, three by Hannah and one by junior forward Brooke Demetre, who also had eight rebounds.

Before the game started, head coach Tara VanDerveer gave flowers to ASU’s seniors, and the male practice players were introduced.

Early in the first quarter, the two Stanford honorees, Cam and Hannah, showed their signature moves. Hannah lofted a trey, and then Cam blocked an ASU shot.

ASU leads after one quarter, but that was it

The first quarter ended with a 13-15 lead for ASU, but Stanford finished on top in the next three quarters.

During the third quarter, the two senior cheerleaders were honored.

Senior Day honorees Cam and Hannah celebrate a teammate's accomplishment.

 

The Senior Day ceremony began with the introduction of Cam, her parents and godmother, Sonya Curry, mother of Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry. She and Cam's mother were college roommates. Both spoke about Cam. Brooke represented the team in saluting her.

Hannah was accompanied by her parents and aunt, who had flown from the UK to join the festivities. Her father and Talana did the honors in saluting her.

In both cases, announcer Betty Ann Hagenau ticked off their many accomplishments.

Closing the emotional ceremony, Tara said the team has a chance to be the No. 1 seed in the upcoming Pac-12 tournament and hopes to host the first two rounds of the NCAA tournament.

Team misses Cam in loss to Arizona

The 61-68 upset loss to Arizona at home on Feb. 23 began with a feeling of unease. Cam was nowhere to be seen during warmups. It later was reported that she was ill.

Besides missing her offensive and defensive prowess, her teammates seemed to miss the energy and enthusiasm she brings to the game. They didn’t seem to smile and joke as much during warmups.

Still, they started well enough, ending the first quarter with a 17-9 lead. Late in the quarter, Kiki headed to the locker room with blood on her white leg wrap. She returned during the break and went back into action with no leg wrap as the second quarter began.

Stanford led at the end of both the second and third quarters. The latter ended well with an 8-point scoring spree in the final minute and 15 seconds. Kiki accounted for 6 of those points with 2 by Brooke.

Fourth quarter ends badly

Therefore, the team seemed to have the game well in hand as the fourth quarter began. Then the wheels started to come off. Arizona steadily ate into its host’s lead, outscoring the Cardinal 31-16 in the quarter to cement the win.

Arizona accomplished this despite having only seven available players, but they continually disrupted Stanford on defense, leading to 18 Stanford turnovers while having only nine of their own.

Kiki led her team with 21 points plus 15 rebounds, three blocks, four assists and a steal.

Brooke gets starting nod

Joining the starting lineup in Cam’s place, Brooke contributed 15 points, while Hannah had 13, thanks in part to her 3 3’s. Brooke also had a 3.

Junior guard Elena Bosgana started as usual, but played only three minutes and spent the rest of the game on the bench.

In recognition of Black History Month, the seven-member Stanford Gospel Choir sang the national anthem after a trumpet intro by one of its members. The choir then sang “Lift Every Voice and Sing.”

Later the video board displayed photos and listed the accomplishments of some of Stanford’s most distinguished Black graduates.

Another focus of the game recognized the Stanford Organ Transplant Program, introducing two leaders of the program and a woman who received both a liver and kidney transplant at Stanford.

At halftime, fans who received the free Rec Day T-shirts convened on the court for a group Zumba session.

Stanford will wrap up its final Pac-12 regular season by visiting Oregon State at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 29, and Oregon at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 2. Pac-12 Networks will televise both games.

The final Pac-12 tournament is March 6-10 in Las Vegas.

Photos by isiphotos.com 

Cardinal coast over Cal 84-49

 

Kiki celebrates a teammate's accomplishment.

It didn’t take long for the Stanford women’s basketball team to overwhelm the visiting Cal Bears and close out the Feb. 16 game with an 84-49 victory.

Cal showed some resistance in the first quarter with two lead changes and one tie, but Stanford ended it by leading 22-16.

Cal didn’t score until nearly seven minutes had elapsed in the second quarter, when it put up a trey. The Bears managed only 5 points altogether in that quarter, while Stanford posted 18.

It was all Stanford after that, leading to the lopsided 35-point win.

Five Cardinal players scored in double figures, led by junior forward Kiki Iriafen with 23points plus 11 rebounds. Grad guard Hannah Jump and senior forward Cameron Brink both had 14 points, and Cam had four of her trademark blocks.

Elena was one of five players in double figures.

Joining them in double figures were junior guard Elena Bosgana with 12 points and junior forward Brooke Demetre with 11.

Brooke had three of the team’s five 3’s. Hannah and Elena each had one.

Stanford bested Cal in nearly every statistical category, including steals, 6-0. Redshirt sophomore Jzaniya Harriel had three of those steals.

Since it was Breast Cancer Awareness Day, pink was seen throughout Maples, both among the 4,604 fans in the stands and the personnel on the court. The Cal players were in pink, and the Stanford players’ white uniforms had pink accents. Some players sported pink hair ribbons and pink nail polish. Even the refs had pink whistles.

Perhaps because it was a holiday weekend with Presidents Day on Feb. 19, the band, cheerleaders, Dollies, Tree and even the emcee weren’t there.

The third quarter had some drama, starting about two minutes in when Cam got her third foul, a call that was roundly booed. Head coach Tara VanDerveer requested an official review, but when the play stood as called, Stanford was charged a timeout.

Fans got a scare with less than three minutes to go in the quarter when Kiki was hurt and hopped to the bench. Trainer Katelin Knox tended to her, and she returned to action early in the fourth quarter. In a post-game interview, Kiki said it was merely a muscle cramp.

This game and others in the Pac-12 Conference gave Stanford a two-game lead with four games left.

Coming up next, Arizona visits at 7 p.m. Feb. 23, followed by Arizona State at noon Feb. 25, Senior Day.

A trip to Oregon State at 7 p.m. Feb. 29 and Oregon at 2 p.m. March 2 will close out the final Pac-12 regular season. Pac-12 Networks will air all four games.

Stanford Athletics photos

Stqnford moves up to No. 3 after 2 more wins

 

Cam tries to steal the ball from WSU's Eleanora Villa. (Dean Hare/WSU PhotoServices)

The Stanford women’s basketball team returned from the Evergreen State with two more wins: 63-59 in overtime at Washington on Feb. 9 and 73-58 at Washington State on Feb. 11.

 These two wins, combined with other Pac-12 and national results, vaulted the Cardinal into first place in the conference and No. 3 in the Feb. 12 AP poll.

 Team prevails in overtime at Washington

 It took the season’s first overtime for Stanford to defeat a gritty Washington team 63-59 in Seattle on Feb. 9.

 With the first quarter ending with Stanford up 11-5, it looked as if this would be a cakewalk. The second quarter continued that view as the Stanford defense forced the Huskies into several shot-clock violations. When the buzzer sounded, Stanford still had a 6-point lead as both teams scored just 11 points.

 The lead swelled to 8 points in the third, but things turned around in the fourth quarter. Washington outscored Stanford by 8 points, leading to a 50-50 tie and sending the game into overtime.

 Stanford scored just enough in OT to eke out the 4-point win, resulting in a sigh of relief for Cardinal fans among the 4,454 people at the game and for those watching at home.

 Cameron pours in 22 points

 Once again, senior forward Cameron Brink led the scoring with 22 points plus nine rebounds, four assists, six blocks and a steal.

 However, junior forward Kiki Iriafen, her usually high-scoring teammate, managed only 9 points plus nine rebounds. She fouled out about halfway through the OT and had six of the team’s 18 turnovers.

 The next-highest scorer for Stanford was freshman forward Courtney Ogden, who came off the bench to add 11 points and five rebounds. Sophomore guard Talana Lepolo was the other Cardinal in double figures with 10 points, thanks to three of the team’s seven 3’s.

 Courtney, junior guard Elena Bosgana, junior forward Brooke Demetre and grad guard Hannah Jump had the others. It wasn’t Hannah’s best game. She played all 45 minutes but had only that trey for her scoring. A tough defender, she also had four fouls.

 Slow start against WSU

 Hoping for its first-ever victory over Stanford on Feb. 11, Washington State had a 7-point lead after the first quarter and ceded Stanford only a 3-point edge at the half in front of 1,304 people in Pullman.

 It outscored the Cardinal by a point in the third quarter, cutting the visitors’ advantage to just 2 points, but the fourth quarter told a different story. Stanford held WSU to just 7 points while scoring 20 points of its own to seal the 73-58 win.

 Once again Cam was the team leader. She scored 21 points to go with 11 rebounds, five assists, five steals and two blocks with only one foul.

 This time, though, her usually reliable teammates stepped up big time. Hannah had 20 points, thanks in large part to her four 3’s, plus four assists and a steal.

Kiki was next in the double-figure category with 17 points, 14 rebounds and five assists.

 For the game, Stanford shot 49.2 percent vs. WSU’s 44 percent.

 Stanford also had eight 3’s, one more than WSU. Stanford’s came courtesy of Hannah’s four, along with two by Cam, and one each by Talana and Courtney.

 Next up is a visit by Cal at 7 p.m. Feb. 16. The team then has a week off before hosting Arizona at 7 p.m. Feb. 23 and Arizona State at noon Feb. 25, Senior Day. Pac-12 Networks will air all three games.