Sarah as Point Guard

[Bone Dog]

Don't worry, I'm not advocating for Sarah to play PG. But it's worth looking carefully at a few plays from the beginning of "the game" to see the impact her presence with the ball can have. I attached a highlights video, though the first 3 minutes is all I'm interested in.

• Paige's first 3 -- at the 1:20 mark in the video below, Sarah grabs a defensive rebound and dribbles toward mid court, being shadowed from a distance by Raven, until she spots an open Paige who sinks the 3. Raven doesn't guard Sarah more closely, I suspect because she doesn't know what sort of passer she is and is more worried about getting into position to guard against an eventual perimeter shot.
• Jana's drive and dish -- at the 1:45 mark Kaitlyn and Azzi occupy Raven and Te-Hina on the other side, Paige moves to the center to receive the ball, dragging Bree along with her, while Sarah directs traffic from the wing. Sarah receives the ball from Paige, initiates a drive down the lane but passes back to Jana who drives the lane forcing Chloe to help on Jana. This allows Jana to make a nifty wrap-around pass to Sarah for the easy score.
• Jana's killa crossover -- at the 2:05 mark Azzi fakes a drive toward the top of the key draging Te-Hina with her, but pulls back, having forced Joyce to commit to helping Te-Hina. Azzi then hands the ball to Sarah who makes the same drive, this time dragging Raven with her and again forcing Joyce to commit to help off Jana. Sarah then flips the ball to Jana who dribbles past Joyce, now out of position, and scores easily.

In all three of these plays, Sarah is instrumental in forcing SC's defense to cheat towards her and create an opening. She's clearly not a PG in the ordinary sense. But she plays a sophisticated role in almost every play. Two of the plays engage Jana in the offense in ways that must seem quite new to her, outside of her previous experience. This is one reason why Jana's learning curve is so steep. It's not just about developing the usual low-post skills. It's also about unlocking all the other unusual talents Jana also has. This is the work of a leader, like Paige, and like Sarah is quickly becoming.

 

[BobbyJ]

It's called a Point Forward. Strong has several of the capabilities needed to play it.

Point forward - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[oldude]

Sarah can certainly put the ball on the floor, drop dimes and she has a great basketball IQ. But I will point out that 2 or 3 times per game she delivers a real head-scratcher of a pass that’s way off target.

The one that comes immediately to mind was at the end of the half against SC. Sarah picked Raven Johnson’s pocket at half court, then led a 2-1 break with Azzi. When they got near the basket, Sarah fired a pass off Azzi’s foot, which fortuitously bounced right back to Sarah for an easy layup.

I’m sure the more Sarah gets comfortable with all of her teammates, the more precise her passing will become. If Sarah was perfect at everything, she wouldn’t have anything to do at practice.

 

[Bone Dog]

Sarah can certainly put the ball on the floor, drop dimes and she has a great basketball IQ. But I will point out that 2 or 3 times per game she delivers a real head-scratcher of a pass that’s way off target.

The one that comes immediately to mind was at the end of the half against SC. Sarah picked Raven Johnson’s pocket at half court, then led a 2-1 break with Azzi. When they got near the basket, Sarah fired a pass off Azzi’s foot, which fortuitously bounced right back to Sarah for an easy layup.

I’m sure the more Sarah gets comfortable with all of her teammates, the more precise her passing will become. If Sarah was perfect at everything, she wouldn’t have anything to do at practice.

During the game, Rebecca commented that she should get credit for the assist (off Azzi’s leg) and the basket.

 

[JoePgh]

During the game, Rebecca commented that she should get credit for the assist (off Azzi’s leg) and the basket.

Can someone explain to me why that wasn't immediately whistled as a kicked ball, thereby ending the possession and giving SC the ball?

 

[Bone Dog]

Can someone explain to me why that wasn't immediately whistled as a kicked ball, thereby ending the possession and giving SC the ball?

I think the rule is you can’t gain possession by a kick. But bouncing it off your or a teammate’s foot doesn’t count as gaining possession.

 

[fomalhaut]

It's called a Point Forward. Strong has several of the capabilities needed to play it.

Connecticut is virtually a point team.

 

[VA Huskie]

Don't worry, I'm not advocating for Sarah to play PG. But it's worth looking carefully at a few plays from the beginning of "the game" to see the impact her presence with the ball can have. I attached a highlights video, though the first 3 minutes is all I'm interested in.

• Paige's first 3 -- at the 1:20 mark in the video below, Sarah grabs a defensive rebound and dribbles toward mid court, being shadowed from a distance by Raven, until she spots an open Paige who sinks the 3. Raven doesn't guard Sarah more closely, I suspect because she doesn't know what sort of passer she is and is more worried about getting into position to guard against an eventual perimeter shot.
• Jana's drive and dish -- at the 1:45 mark Kaitlyn and Azzi occupy Raven and Te-Hina on the other side, Paige moves to the center to receive the ball, dragging Bree along with her, while Sarah directs traffic from the wing. Sarah receives the ball from Paige, initiates a drive down the lane but passes back to Jana who drives the lane forcing Chloe to help on Jana. This allows Jana to make a nifty wrap-around pass to Sarah for the easy score.
• Jana's killa crossover -- at the 2:05 mark Azzi fakes a drive toward the top of the key draging Te-Hina with her, but pulls back, having forced Joyce to commit to helping Te-Hina. Azzi then hands the ball to Sarah who makes the same drive, this time dragging Raven with her and again forcing Joyce to commit to help off Jana. Sarah then flips the ball to Jana who dribbles past Joyce, now out of position, and scores easily.

In all three of these plays, Sarah is instrumental in forcing SC's defense to cheat towards her and create an opening. She's clearly not a PG in the ordinary sense. But she plays a sophisticated role in almost every play. Two of the plays engage Jana in the offense in ways that must seem quite new to her, outside of her previous experience. This is one reason why Jana's learning curve is so steep. It's not just about developing the usual low-post skills. It's also about unlocking all the other unusual talents Jana also has. This is the work of a leader, like Paige, and like Sarah is quickly becoming.

Thanks for posting. It was great to see all those highlights together. What a game!

 

[Bone Dog]

It's called a Point Forward.

Connecticut is virtually a point team.

Exactly, @fomalhaut. This is why I avoided using the term ‘point forward’ above. It’s also why all the talk of making Paige the PG seems to misunderstand how Geno’s offense operates. A ‘read and react’ offense depends on decentralized decision making.

 

[BobbyJ]

Exactly, @fomalhaut. This is why I avoided using the term ‘point forward’ above. It’s also why all the talk of making Paige the PG seems to misunderstand how Geno’s offense operates. A ‘read and react’ offense depends on decentralized decision making.

If this is the intent of the post, what does the thread title, Sarah as Point Guard, have to do with it? How about UConn as Point Team?

 

[TheGOAT23]

Can someone explain to me why that wasn't immediately whistled as a kicked ball, thereby ending the possession and giving SC the ball?

She didn’t kick it. The ball was thrown at/ off of her foot. That’s my explanation.

 

[Cuango]

Just as Madison Booker played point for a good TEXAS team last season, I have little doubt that Sarah could do the same if she had to!

 

[BBallF]

I think the rule is you can’t gain possession by a kick. But bouncing it off your or a teammate’s foot doesn’t count as gaining possession.

If the kick is intentional it's a violation whether on offense or defense. The Azzi play was accidental contact with the lower leg/foot.

 

[Vowelguy]

Sarah is great resource when the opponent is trying to pressure the guards in the backcourt. Her defender is usually a big who is already up the court / isn't quick enough to stay with Strong.

 

[oldude]

Sarah is great resource when the opponent is trying to pressure the guards in the backcourt. Her defender is usually a big who is already up the court / isn't quick enough to stay with Strong.

I do recall years ago when teams tried to press UConn that Geno would occasionally have Stewie break the press. It always struck me as comical to watch an opposing center attempt to guard Stewie in the back court.

 

[HuskyNan]

I do recall years ago when teams tried to press UConn that Geno would occasionally have Stewie break the press. It always struck me as comical to watch an opposing center attempt to guard Stewie in the back court.

Charde used to bring the ball up against the press, too. A 6-2 forward under full steam is hard to slow down and she can pass over the shorter guards if trapped

 

[Vowelguy]

Charde used to bring the ball up against the press, too. A 6-2 forward under full steam is hard to slow down and she can pass over the shorter guards if trapped

I was thinking of Charde — first time I saw someone do that.

 

[Jitterbug]

She didn’t kick it. The ball was thrown at/ off of her foot. That’s my explanation.

The kicked ball rule is invoked when the player intentionally kicks the ball. As long as Azzi didn't move her leg in an unnatural or deliberate motion, its a no-call.

 

[oldhusky]

Just as Madison Booker played point for a good TEXAS team last season, I have little doubt that Sarah could do the same if she had to!

But the key here is if she had to. I think it is a valid comparison of what Sarah could do if she had to play the point, but of course once Texas got their star PG Harmon back, that team is much better with Booker now in the point forward mode instead.

Having more than one PG capable player in the lineup at the same time can be effective and produce the "pretty basketball" that Dawn referred to. This year we have three natural point guards and Sarah, with at least two being on the floor and frequently three at the same time.

Last year a great pass first PG in Nika, usually teaming with Paige and sometimes KK. Anna in some ways was a point forward, and Evina was more of a 1/2 who played more at the 3 and sometimes 4 for us, so we frequently have had passers beyond the point position. In addition, far more than most programs, our C's in the past have developed into good passers even if they didn't start that way.

 

[uconnfan68]

But the key here is if she had to. I think it is a valid comparison of what Sarah could do if she had to play the point, but of course once Texas got their star PG Harmon back, that team is much better with Booker now in the point forward mode instead.

Having more than one PG capable player in the lineup at the same time can be effective and produce the "pretty basketball" that Dawn referred to. This year we have three natural point guards and Sarah, with at least two being on the floor and frequently three at the same time.

Last year a great pass first PG in Nika, usually teaming with Paige and sometimes KK. Anna in some ways was a point forward, and Evina was more of a 1/2 who played more at the 3 and sometimes 4 for us, so we frequently have had passers beyond the point position. In addition, far more than most programs, our C's in the past have developed into good passers even if they didn't start that way.

We basically had 5 pgs with our “small” lineup. Ash isn’t a natural, but she’s good enough to break a press. And Sarah, Morgan, and Aubrey are all capable too. Even Jana looks like she wants to run with it.

 

[Bald Husky]

Uconn wins by 29, Azzi with 28 points, Paige with 10 assists, many setting up Azzi's 3's. What does that tell you? It tells you what I said a few days ago about Paige and what her best position is. She is not a score first player, and don't compare her to numbers from Hannah, MiLaysia, or JuJu. Paiges game is running the floor, creating plays that get any player to score, and of course, defense. PG is where she belongs, just ask Azzi, and any of our players that ended up with open shots. This is her game, and if UConn wants to go to the top of the heap, Paige has to be where she can impact it in the best possible way. Lately Paige has not shot the ball well, even her pull-ups are not going in. Thats fine, she knows how to run a team, she knows how to get assists, she knows how to get rebounds, in other words, she can impact the game no matter what she does on the court. If our other shooters are hot, the best game for Paige is to get the ball to them and let them do their magic as Azzi did last game. Let Paige play how she wants to; she will not let us down. Geno, don't put demands on her, she knows what to do. If she is free to do that, then we will see the girl that won all the awards 5 years ago.

 

[meyers7]

Just as Madison Booker played point for a good TEXAS team last season, I have little doubt that Sarah could do the same if she had to!

Well let's hope she doesn't have to. We have plenty of PG's to do PG stuff. IF she "has to" we're missing quite a few players.

Although I am fine with her bring the ball up the court to break pressure. Or to lead a fast break. On occasion.

 

[Conndog]

I loved the and 1 by Sarah in 4th quarter at the 6:30 mark! Paige took 3 pointer and missed, Ash hustled and got the rebound to keep play alive (what a game by Ash- she always is hustling), Azzi got a pass and missed a 3, Sarah kept rebound alive and got pass down low and was fouled as she made the put-back. Sarah was the center at the time and she and SC’s center were battling throughout the play. After Sarah made the shot and turned to go to the FT line, the SC center was slightly in her way, and Sarah pushed past her with a ”don’t mess with me” look. She is one tough freshman!

 

[oldude]

I loved the and 1 by Sarah in 4th quarter at the 6:30 mark! Paige took 3 pointer and missed, Ash hustled and got the rebound to keep play alive (what a game by Ash- she always is hustling), Azzi got a pass and missed a 3, Sarah kept rebound alive and got pass down low and was fouled as she made the put-back. Sarah was the center at the time and she and SC’s center were battling throughout the play. After Sarah made the shot and turned to go to the FT line, the SC center was slightly in her way, and Sarah pushed past her with a ”don’t mess with me” look. She is one tough freshman!

Sarah’s mom, Alison Feaster, was one tough player back in her day.

Like mother, like daughter……

 

[huskeynut]

Sarah is a weapon no team can ignore. Not sure if any team can shut her down. She's too versitale.

She is powerful down low, excellent rebounder, can shoot the three, can drive by a defender to the rim. A very good passer at this stage and that skill will improve as time goes on.

Plus she can play defense and pick pockets.

The offense UConn runs is perfect for her.