Qadence S. Spotlighted (merged)

[Carnac]

From the article I linked

Stokes has been a star in her role for the Aces as a defensive anchor willing to do whatever the team needs. It’s a role that isn’t flashy, and often overlooked, but Stokes has embraced it and has become an integral piece of a Las Vegas franchise looking to repeat as champions

With Kelsey Plum, A’ja Wilson, Jackie Young, and Chelsea Grey on the team, why does Kiah need to score in double figures? People get too hung up on scoring

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She doesn't. I made the same point in reference to a poster's comment regarding Nika last week and her lack of scoring. We have no beef here. Her teammates and her coach ALL recognize her value to the team and will tell anyone who will listen that Kiah is an integral part of their success.

I remember when the Liberty cut her, and the Aces picked her up immediately. They knew Kiah's worth. The Aces don't need her to score, just be the stalwart on defense that she is. That being said, her coach would appreciate some offensive production from her from time to time.

 

[Bigboote]

. . .

I think of Iowa in these terms. Sure, Caitlin and Czinano carried the scoring load and the stat sheet showed it. But they were able to rely on three glue players to hold everything together and help them get their chances. Martin Warnock and Marshall were the real “law firm” on Iowa. Interesting how few announcers caught in to it. Of the three it’s hard to choose who was most important. But I’m inclined to lean toward Marshall because she had this mischievous unpredictable side to her that would come out on defense. Also worth noting about those three (and especially Marshall): they were very kind to fallen opponents, helping them up, conciliating players who got upset about calls, etc. That speaks to the team culture Lisa Bluder encouraged over there.

I like what you said about Iowa. I'll build on that for one point. There are folks who are talking only about the loss of Czinano, and that Stuelke may be a very good replacement. I think the loss of Warnock, coupled with Czinano, is huge. As you said, she's a glue player, and she played much bigger than her size. Replacing Czinano is tough, replacing Czinano AND Warnock will be even tougher.

 

[From France]

Kiah Stokes was the AAC DPOY her senior year. But with the exception of senior day, once when Geno wanted to send a message to Stewie and 2 other times when players were banged up (4 times in all), Kiah came off the bench as UConn’s 6th man.

You are confusing Kiah Stokes with Saniya, who started her sophomore year for 2 games and was replaced by Kia Nurse after the Stanford game.

After this game (Stanford) I think Saniya didn't get the playing time she deserved, own opinion

 

[Cuango]

I’d be ecstatic to have her (Kiah) or Dolson on our current roster!
Imagine having Kiah or Dolson to pair with Aaliyah!

 

[Gus Mahler]

Kiah (one of my 3 all-time favorite UConn WBB players.. Stewie and Jefferson) has been a consistent double-double performer overseas for the last 8-9 years. Too bad those performances can't seem to transfer to the States and the WNBA. Wow, this is Kiah's 9th year in the league (UConn class of 2015). She turned 30 in March.

Kiah is also one of my all-time favorites. Seems like she sat out a WNBA year for personal reasons a few years ago.

 

[HopJim]

Thought I was clicking into a Qadence blog.

 

[CL82]

I’m glad to see that some of Nika’s contributions have started show up on the stat sheet.

So many of them don't, though. Nika is a disruptor. She is like a wrecking ball to the other teams game planning. Yeah, the steels portion absolutely shows up on the stat sheet, but a lot of what she does never well. Remember Nika being called "gnat-like"? That is a great descriptor. They say gnats can drive wildebeests insane, causing them to run over cliffs or even just run till they drop from exhaustion. That's Nika. She's in your face and annoying every minute you have the ball. I love that part of her game, but you're right, it does not show up on the stat sheet.

 

[Jaml]

Please allow me to get us back on track....so hey, Qadence put up 14 points in Zagreb yesterday!!

 

[Bone Dog]

Please allow me to get us back on track....so hey, Qadence put up 14 points in Zagreb yesterday!!

Finally got to watch it. Qadence has a smooth shot and a quick release. She’s not afraid to drive the lane and she rebounds well. Now admittedly the camera angle wasn’t great, but I’d say she looks to be at least as tall as Aubrey. That puts her squarely in the 6’0” — 6’2” range and probably leaning toward the upper end.

 

[Gus Mahler]

So many of them don't, though. Nika is a disruptor. She is like a wrecking ball to the other teams game planning. Yeah, the steels portion absolutely shows up on the stat sheet, but a lot of what she does never well. Remember Nika being called "gnat-like"? That is a great descriptor. They say gnats can drive wildebeests insane, causing them to run over cliffs or even just run till they drop from exhaustion. That's Nika. She's in your face and annoying every minute you have the ball. I love that part of her game, but you're right, it does not show up on the stat sheet.

You're saying gnats gnaw at the gnu?

I like it when, after gnatting for a while, the ball comes loose and Nika dives for it. It fires up the team and the crowd.

 

[Gus Mahler]

Finally got to watch it. Qadence has a smooth shot and a quick release. She’s not afraid to drive the lane and she rebounds well. Now admittedly the camera angle wasn’t great, but I’d say she looks to be at least as tall as Aubrey. That puts her squarely in the 6’0” — 6’2” range and probably leaning toward the upper end.

I look forward to seeing her length and quickness applied in the press.

 

[CL82]

You're saying gnats gnaw at the gnu?

I like it when, after gnatting for a while, the ball comes loose and Nika dives for it. It fires up the team and the crowd.

Gnu? What's gnu?

(Ans: Nothing much what's gnu with you?)

 

[Carnac]

Well said. In addition, not sure we need to put so much energy into the "Who starts the first game of the year?" discussion. The key is who, based on their performance, starts in the playoffs.

Or…….we could try to predict who will be the top 5 BADDASS players statistically over the course of the season. That would be more fun than picking potential starters.

 

[Bone Dog]

Or…….we could try to predict who will be the top 5 BADDASS players statistically over the course of the season. That would be more fun than picking potential starters.

I think that’s really about guessing the other two besides Paige Azzi and Aaliyah. Will it be freshmen? Will Ice be one of them? Or Caroline and Aubrey? Will Ayanna discover the beast within?

On this last possibility, I rewatched the game against Iowa last night (because the Croatia game wasn’t available yet) and was struck by how well Ayanna did against Czinano in a few exchanges. I suspect Monica didn’t expect her to be that strong.

 

[Carnac]

I think that’s really about guessing the other two besides Paige Azzi and Aaliyah. Will it be freshmen? Will Ice be one of them? Or Caroline and Aubrey? Will Ayanna discover the beast within?

On this last possibility, I rewatched the game against Iowa last night (because the Croatia game wasn’t available yet) and was struck by how well Ayanna did against Czinano in a few exchanges. I suspect Monica didn’t expect her to be that strong.

One thing we must acknowledge is that we have several other potential BADDASSES on this team besides the obvious ones you mentioned.

 

[Gordo]

I'm impressed! Q should be getting decent minutes from the get go.

 

[Bone Dog]

One thing we must acknowledge is that we have several other potential BADDASSES on this team besides the obvious ones you mentioned.

Too true. Not only is Storrs the basketball capital of the world, but this season it looks to be the BADASSERY capital of the world.

I mean just watching this little game and seeing what a badass KK really is gives one high hopes for much more badassery throughout the year from all quarters.

 

[PacoSwede]

Or…….we could try to predict who will be the top 5 BADDASS players statistically over the course of the season. That would be more fun than picking potential starters.

i believe statistics have no connection to 'baddassery,' which surely has no link to a player's 'baddass-ness,' which is more to do with, at the crucial time, providing what the team needs to succeed.

but maybe you're referring to how many times over the course of the season a player achieves 'baddass' status. that would be a statistic, i guess. i'd guess caroline and paige, if they are healthy, would be in the running.

 

[HuskyNan]

i believe statistics have no connection to 'baddassery,' which surely has no link to a player's 'baddass-ness,' which is more to do with, at the crucial time, providing what the team needs to succeed.

but maybe you're referring to how many times over the course of the season a player achieves 'baddass' status. that would be a statistic, i guess. i'd guess caroline and paige, if they are healthy, would be in the running.

 

[Bone Dog]

i believe statistics have no connection to 'baddassery,' which surely has no link to a player's 'baddass-ness,' which is more to do with, at the crucial time, providing what the team needs to succeed.

but maybe you're referring to how many times over the course of the season a player achieves 'baddass' status. that would be a statistic, i guess. i'd guess caroline and paige, if they are healthy, would be in the running.

Freshman year, Paige was Queen Badass in almost every game. Against Iowa was an exception: Christyn was boss badass, scoring a bunch and playing total D on Caitlin.