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| Players go through a drill during a previous practice. |
Oct. 31 was scary, but not because it was Halloween. Instead it was scary for the teams that will face the Stanford women’s basketball team during this season.
The roster boasts not only 12 of the 13 players who
won the 2021 NCAA national championship but also four promising freshmen and a
graduate transfer --- a total of 17 players.
Those freshmen are guard Elena Bosgana, the program’s
first Greek player, along with guard Brooke Demetre, guard Jzaniya (“Jazzy”)
Harriel and forward Kiki Iriafen. The graduate transfer is guard Jordan
Hamilton.
Season ticket holders were treated to their first
look at this new and expanded version of the team during an open practice and
scrimmage on Halloween.
All 17 players were in uniform, but only 16 took
part in the practice drills and 14 in the scrimmage.
Anna is back.
Redshirt junior guard Jenna Brown, who missed all of
last season with an injury, saw no action. Sixth-year guard Anna Wilson and Jazzy
were sidelined during the scrimmage.
While the at least 200 fans consulted their rosters to keep track of everyone, players were divided into red and white teams for the scrimmage. Several switched sides during the four highly competitive quarters.
It appeared that junior guard Haley Jones, sophomore
guard Jana Van Gytenbeek and Jordan shared point guard duties.
Defense
is a strong point
My overall impression is that this team is a
defensive juggernaut. One player who seemed especially dogged on defense was
sophomore guard Agnes Emma-Nnopu.
I didn’t keep track of scoring, but it’s noteworthy
that at least six players hit from beyond the 3-point line. Even more did so
during the drills that started the session.
The action often was fast-paced with numerous passes
and some nifty assists.
This practice mimicked the real thing with three
referees and a time clock. Adding to the reality, announcer Betty Ann Hagenau
provided commentary for her 23rd year behind the microphone.
During timeouts she delved into some history, noting
that assistant coach Katy Steding was on Stanford’s first national championship
team in 1990, and associate head coach Kate Paye helped the Cardinal win its
second national championship in 1992.
They joined head coach Tara VanDerveer and assistant
coach Britney Anderson for the team’s third championship last season. Now in
her 36th season at Stanford, Tara helmed all three national titles.
Jeanette
returns to her alma mater
Making her return to the Farm is Jeanette Pohlen, ’11,
serving as a coaching intern. Fans remember her as a formidable guard.
During another timeout, Betty Ann asked first-time
season-ticket holders to stand. There was a smattering. Many, many more stood
when she asked for those who had had season tickets for at least five seasons. Many
of them remained standing during the calls for 10 years, even 15, 20 years and
more.
After the scrimmage, Tara spoke briefly, saying,
“It’s great to have fans back in the gym.” The team played in front of empty
seats last season because of COVID restrictions. (Fans filing into Maples now
must show their IDs and proof of vaccination and wear masks.)
She introduced the players and staff before thanking
the crowd for coming and reminding them of three upcoming home games: an
exhibition against Clarke at noon Nov. 6 and regular season games against
Morgan State at 3 p.m. Nov. 11 and Texas at noon Nov. 14.
As the fans left, she talked to the team and staff
in a circle at center court.
And while they left, fans talked among themselves
about how impressed they were with what they had seen. This team is deep and
talented.
Photos by Stanford Athletics
