First let me start by saying Breanna Stewart is the best player in WCBB and she aint here yet. At 6'4 she handles the ball like a guard, and can handle it like a guard on the break, she is a great ballhandler, a very good outside shooter and can shoot on the run, has a wing span of 6'10, is quick and versatile, can use either hand, has great instincts and reactions to the ball, can rebound and finish underneath and is a very good foul shooter. Really Breanna can do everything. She is far beyond her years. Any of you who think Im over the top on that prediction, better watch her videos. I have heard the reports on her since she was in junior high. One parent told me she was better then Kia Vaughn, Tina Charles and Danielle Wilson. Shes better then anything we've seen in WCBB...ever and when she arrives next season, you can bet that . Now back to this year.
Watching last night we really got it going with our defense. We've done that the past few seasons. To answer the question who will replace Maya. Well with the improvement of so many players and with a bench that can score everybody will replace Maya in some way or form, it wont be one individual player. Caroline is the leader of this team and must stay healthly. I believe she will be rested when UConn is in a blow out only because she is coming back and we need her 100% late in the season. I am so happy to see MJ Heather and Lauren play so well. We are very good from 1 to the last player on the bench. Stef is almost automatic as is KML and Caroline and Bria is a very good scorer. KML is instant offense off the bench along with great rebounding and passing skills. KML may be the best shooter Ive ever seen.
So who starts for who? Good question. It even becomes more difficult the next 3 seasons. I will let Geno make that decision.
Againest Baylor we may need more height but then again we may need more outside shooters to open things up. There is no doubt in my mind that Stef can score againest Griner and that Stef /Kiah / Heather can keep Griner away from the basket. Our defensive pressure is something I want to see Baylor handle .
Againest Stanford I see the O sisters as their top scorers. Is there anybody else who can put up big numbers for Stanford, or will they look to the O sisters to handle most of the scoring? Im sure Geno has a defensive plan to key on the O's. I think the O sisters will have to score from 10+ ft out before they can go inside. If there is a mismatch with height in comes Kiah/Heather. What is really nice this season is we dont lose anything with our outside shooters because we have so many and opponets will have to play perimiter defense to stop us which will open up the middle. I dont know how good Stanfords perimiter defense is but I do know they havent replaced Polen and Pederson.
Againest TAM I think we have a battle, a battle of defenses. I think TAM is underrated and better then most think. With that said Stef is better then Bone and our guards will handle TAMs pressure better then most teams. How do they counter our guards will be the difference.
Weve seen two teams the past 2 games. The one last night showed that they are over the first game jitters. Monday night UConn will surprise WCBB.... because without Maya just like in the past without Renee, and without Tina this UConn team can flat out play.
