Finally able to sit down and formulate my notes from the games last night. Yes. Games. We stayed for the boy’s game after.
First off, a BIG THANK YOU to Walter the usher who ever so politely moved us to the second row because there was no one seated in that row. Center court, 2nd row for the women’s game was nice.
This is our 5th year going to the girl’s game and this one was an exciting. Just the offense display was exciting enough but the girls for the most part all played pretty even. Unlike last years game where Jordin Canada and Shakayla Thomas stood out, no one player stood out above anyone else.
When we got into our seats, the first player you notice when you look at the girls warming up was Kalani Brown and Deja Strother, both big girls on the floor. Also noticed how supportive the girls were of each other. Always clapping and yelling support. It was nice to see.
As far as the eye test for each girl I don’t think I can do that but I can tell you guys about the ones that stood out to me live.
First the UCONN girls. All 3 were great to me. KLS had some shooting struggles but she is tall and moves without the basketball. She got a few offensive rebounds and some assists. I think she will do well in the UCONN system. DJB played the least but had a couple of baskets and she too moved well without the basketball. Not sure if her wrist was bothering her or not. She fell to the floor a few times and I didn’t notice her grimace or favor the wrist at all. Speaking of the floor, NC was all over and on it. She didn’t light up the scoreboard with points but led the team in rebounding and it was obvious. She just has a nose for the basketball. This kid is going to be fantastic. These 3 will have a very good career at UCONN. Made me think of Jones/Cash/Williams except with an outstanding three-point shooter.
As for everyone else.
For our Duke Fans-you have a dandy in Kyra Lambert. She is lightening quick and a great passer. I see her as the starting PG next year easily. If she can learn JPM offense, the job may be hers.
Asia Durr---WOW! Talk about the it factor. She has it. You can see it in how she handles herself and how she plays. Louisville got a good one. Another good cardinal was Taja Cole. (Interesting thing about Cole she reminded me of current Louisville freshman Arica Carter).
The young Mabrey looks just like her sister but I felt like she has more of a dribble drive game instead of a stand and shoot guard.
Post Players—People may disagree and that’s fine but my favorite of the night was California signee Kristine Anigwe. She was tall, athletic and will be a great player for the Bears. She took a few too many high post shots for me but I liked her game.
Another good one is Ashley Hearn. Didn’t hear much about her recruitment (headed to UCLA) but she is long and lean. She too will be a great post player.
Kalani Brown started for the East and Beatrice Mompremier for the West. It took about 10 minutes before I realized they both are going to Baylor. (They already have a bevy of post players so I am not sure how that situation will work out).
Deja Strother is a big body much like Brown only a worse shooter. Strother missed some point blank layups. Both will need to do some serious conditioning prior to the start of the new season.
North Carolina got two great guards in Destinee Walker and Stephanie Watts. Watts was looking for her shot every time she was in the game. I would be shocked if she had any assists (when I checked box score she had 0..so got that one right and every fan in my area mentioned how she only wanted to shoot). She did get her team back in the game but there were many times she shot the ball with a wide-open player under or around the basket.
The Connecticut kid, I thought, was pretty good. Kiah Gillespie. Not sure why UCONN didn’t recruit her. Could be a position of need that Geno didn’t have. I trust the coaching staff but she looked really good.
Cooper had a bunch of points in the first half (couple assists from KLS) but she got to going to fast a few times and lost control of the ball. She had 9 turnovers but 3 of them were not really her fault so I give her the pass on that.
There were a couple of players that had some bad attitudes with their actions and feet stomping and pouting.
I am sure I missed some guys so please let me know if there is someone you want to ask about.
