A preview of coming attractions

 

Although it was only an exhibition game against an overmatched team, the Stanford women’s basketball 85-50 victory over Cal State LA on Oct. 29 offered some hints of what’s to  come.

One positive note from the start is that all 15 players were available, and all played, albeit with limited minutes for a few.

Right off the bat, head coach Kate Paye inserted two of the five freshmen – forward Lara Somfai and guard Hailee Swain – into the starting lineup.

They joined two juniors – forwards Nunu Agara and Courtney Ogden – along with senior guard Talana Lepolo as starters.

However, Kate substituted liberally throughout the game, probably to give everyone a taste of competition and to get a sense of what the rotation might look like in the coming season.

Four players were in double figures, led by junior guard Chloe Clardy with 20 points, followed by Nunu with 17, Lara with 13 and Hailee with 10. Lara also led the team with 10 of its 60 rebounds.

While Stanford has nine players 6 feet tall or taller, Cal State has only four. However, its players are quick and can force turnovers. Still, both sides had 13 turnovers, but some by Stanford were just miscues.

Free throws were a plus with 18 of 19, but 3-pointers were a minus, only three of 18. Chloe had two, and Talana had one.

Another plus was assists – 17 – some of them coming near the basket as a player with the ball would make a quick pass to a teammate for a score.

It was good to see Talana back at the point after she had missed most of last season with an injury. As has been her wont, she wasn’t a prolific scorer, but she did contribute seven points, distribute the ball well and play tough defense.

Another player back after missing most of last season was sophomore forward Harper Peterson, who played just under six minutes, scoring and snaring a rebound.

With Stanford enjoying a substantial lead by the end of third quarter, some of the 1,976 fans began to file out.

Because it was an exhibition, there were no student support groups like the band, cheerleaders, Dollies and Tree. Nor was there any halftime entertainment.

Still, it was a tantalizing look at what might lie ahead in the season, starting with UNC Greensboro on Nov. 3 and Santa Clara on Nov. 6, both at 7 p.m. and both at Maples.

 

 

 

Fans get their first look at the team in action at scrimmage

 

When several hundred fans attended the Stanford women’s basketball team’s annual Cardinal vs. White scrimmage on Oct. 25, what they saw was a rough draft of what might be coming, not the finished product.

Fourteen of the 15 players got onto the court. Junior forward Nunu Agara was there but unavailable.

Joining them were several male practice players along with two SWBB alums, Fran Belibi, ’23, and Marta Sniezek, ’19.  These two, plus the men and two senior guards, Stavi Papadaki and Lauren Green, comprised the red (actually black) squad for the final three quarters.

Everyone else was on the white squad.

Although no official statistics were kept, several impressions emerged.

First, returning players looked good. It was especially gratifying to see senior point guard Talana Lepolo and sophomore forward Harper Peterson in action after they had missed most of last season with injuries.

Second, the five freshmen acquitted themselves well. For example, forward Lara Somfai made at least four 3-point shots, by my count.

Third, overall though, 3-point shooting needs to be more accurate, and the team needs fewer turnovers.

Going into her 26^th season, Betty Ann Hagenau served as the announcer. “This team is locked and loaded this year,” she said.

She introduced the coaches and staff along with the two interns, Amy Arnes and Karlie Samuelson. Karlie had been in a boot at the reception earlier in the week, but this time she was on crutches and didn’t appear to participate.

After the game, each player, starting with the freshmen, introduced herself.

Kate wrapped things up with “This is a team that’s going to get better and better as the season goes on.”

Fans might get a better picture of what’s to come when the team hosts Cal State LA for an exhibition game at 7 p.m. Oct. 29 and opens the season against UNC Greensboro at 7 p.m. Nov. 3, also at home.

 

 

 

High hopes for upcoming season

 

Assistant coach Jeanette Pohlen (in red) with her Stanford coaches, from left: now head coach Kate Paye, retired head coach Tara VanDerveer and retired associate head coach Amy Tucker at Jeanette's induction into the Stanford Athletics Hall of Fame.

Optimism was the prevailing mood as head coach Kate Paye and five players talked about the upcoming Stanford women’s basketball season during a reception Oct. 21 in the Hall of Champions.

“You will love watching our team play,” Kate told several hundred supporters.

Announcer Kevin Danna served as emcee and interviewed three of the 10 returning players and two of the five freshmen.

Junior forwards Courtney Ogden and Mary Ashley Stevenson along with sophomore guard Shay Ijiwoye said that during the off-season they worked on conditioning and shooting. Shay added that she focused on defending without fouling. All three had nothing but praise for their freshman teammates.

Freshmen praise returners

The feeling was mutual as freshman forwards Lara Somfai and Nora Ezike said that returning players helped them adjust to college ball.

Lara, the team’s second Australian player, following Alanna Smith, ’19, said she was born in Hungary and speaks Hungarian. However, she moved to Australia with her family when she was 2 years old and learned English in school. She has played for the Australian national team.

Nora also has international experience, having played for Nigeria, where her parents lived before moving to the U.S. During the summer she played for Nigeria at the FIBA U19 World Cup and recorded 25 points, six rebounds, four assists, two steals while going eight-for-eight in field goals.

Kevin noted that Shay is interested in broadcasting and is being mentored by Ros Gold-Onwude, ’10. But the ties go back to Shay’s childhood when Ros’ mother and aunt were her babysitters, Shay said.

Taking the microphone, Kate said that “our freshmen have elevated our returners.”

This is Kate’s second season as head coach and Stanford’s second season in the ACC. Playing in the ACC involves cross-country trips.

Last season the team flew in a chartered plane that needed to refuel once going east and twice going west, leading to long hours in the plane. This year the team will fly in a larger plane that won’t need refueling, Kate said.

This year the team also is enjoying its new locker room after two years of construction. Even though it’s underground on the west side of Maples, it has natural light from skylights.

“It’s gorgeous,” Kate said, adding that includes a lounge, nutrition center and film room.

The men’s basketball team and women’s volleyball team also have locker rooms in the addition.

On the injury front, Kate said that senior guard Talana Lepolo is back in action after missing most of last season with an injury.

Sophomore forward Harper Peterson also was out with an injury last year, but she was at the reception minus the boot she had worn.

Karlie celebrating a tournament victory.

Karlie returns

However, Karlie Samuelson, ’17, who’s back with the team as an intern after playing in the WNBA, was walking in a boot. As she returned to her car in the Maples lot, she was using a knee scooter.

In another bit of trivia, her return reunites her with classmate and teammate Erica “Bird” McCall, now an assistant coach. Bird’s position recently was endowed by longtime supporters Celia Oakley and Craig Barratt.

Another assistant coach, Jeanette Pohlen, ’11, recently was inducted into the Stanford Athletic Hall of Fame. Her photo, along with the other new inductees, is displayed in the Hall of Champions.

Fans will have an early look at the team during an open scrimmage at 10 a.m. Oct. 25 in Maples.

Preliminary action starts with an exhibition game against Cal State LA at 7 p.m. The regular season opener is at 7 p.m. Nov. 3 against UNC Greensboro. Both are home games.

(Photos by Stanford Athletics)