- Joined
- Aug 26, 2011
- Messages
- 151
- Reaction Score
- 462
Having watched the holiday tournament games on ESPN3 (ugh!), I am impressed with how very different this team is from last year's championship team. We, of course, sorely miss Stef Dolson's soft shot from the head of the key, her laser-like passing ability and her "this is MY low post and don't even think of asserting a claim to it" attitude. Similarly, we miss Bria Hartley's tenacity and her willingness to take the ball to the basket even if her three point shots did not fall. Dolson and Hartley brought both leadership and a comforting sense of predictability to how their team played.
But now we have a new cast of characters and the team at times seems to be locked into a feeling of uncertainty. But slowly, ever so slowly, we are seeing players affirm their old personas or assuming new ones. Moriah Jefferson has continued to grow into the point guard position, her offense has improved and her defensive prowess has and will cause opposing teams anguish. Kia Nurse is a great surprise (at least to me). She manifests a maturity and aggressiveness that complements Moriah's abilities and, as a result, we may have the best starting guard tandem in the nation. Morgan has attempted to assume the Dolson high post passing responsibilities but she hasn't yet clicked. And Breanna Stewart is, perhaps, suffering Dolson's loss the most. Additionally, she must now spend potentially too much time in the low post. The year is young, but Stewie's suffering is palpable.
But now we have a new cast of characters and the team at times seems to be locked into a feeling of uncertainty. But slowly, ever so slowly, we are seeing players affirm their old personas or assuming new ones. Moriah Jefferson has continued to grow into the point guard position, her offense has improved and her defensive prowess has and will cause opposing teams anguish. Kia Nurse is a great surprise (at least to me). She manifests a maturity and aggressiveness that complements Moriah's abilities and, as a result, we may have the best starting guard tandem in the nation. Morgan has attempted to assume the Dolson high post passing responsibilities but she hasn't yet clicked. And Breanna Stewart is, perhaps, suffering Dolson's loss the most. Additionally, she must now spend potentially too much time in the low post. The year is young, but Stewie's suffering is palpable.