Arizona 2-1
Lost at San Diego State 57-38 shooting only 31% and committing 27 turnovers. Ify Ibewke was the only Wildcat with more than 6 points as she scored 11 points and pulled down 11 rebounds. Sadly not enough to offset her 10 turnovers. San Diego State blocked 10 Wildcat shots.
Next Games: Nov 23rd, Mississippi. Nov 27 at USD
ASU 2-1
Beat Yale 82-46 as Charlie Turner Thorne beat her former mentor at the University of Washington, Chris Gobrecht. Becca Tobin scored 14 points and Alex Earl returned to score 12, while hitting the only three pointers, two, for the Sun Devils. ASU had a 61-21 Rebounding edge but committed 28 turnovers.
ASU was down 2 with 11 minutes to play and made only one shot from the floor the remainder of the game to lose at # 9 Xavier 59-46. ASU shot only 29% and had 8 assists to 22 turnovers.
Next Games Nov 27 at Hawaii, Nov 28 ETSU at Hawaii.
Cal 2-1
Behind most of the game Cal rallied to beat St Mary’s 68-65. Natasha Vital scored 17 points to lead the Bears. Frosh DeNesha Stallworth and Talia Caldwell both had 10 points and 8 rebounds. Cal shot only 37% and didn’t make a single three.
Baylor beat Cal 69-48. Brittany Griner blocked 5 shots and disrupted several more for Baylor. Stallworth had 15 points for the Bears and Alexis Gray-Lawson had 12 points and 11 rebounds. Cal had 21 turnovers and only 8 assists making only 16 shots and shooting 29%.
Next Games: Nov 28 in Ohio, Southern, Nov 29 in Ohio, Ohio State or IUPUI
Oregon 2-0
Beat Eastern Washington 86-48. Taylor Lilly hit 7 of 14 three’s for 28 points and Nicole Canepa scored 17 points and had 10 rebounds.
Beat Montana 86-81 at Montana. Canepa continued her fine start to the season with a career high 18 points and 9 rebounds. Amanda Johnson scored 17 points and had 15 rebounds and the rugged post hit 3 of 6 three’s. Nia Jackson had 12 points and 6 steals.
Next Games: Nov 24 Santa Clara, Nov 27, Cal State Fullerton, Nov 28, Wisconsin, Nov 29, Portland State
Oregon State 2-1
Lost badly to Houston 49-32, yes only 32 points by the Beavers. Only 373 in Houston to watch the game. Oregon State shot 27% and had 7 assists vs 27 turnovers.
The Beavers beat Houston Baptist 70-42. Kristen Tilleman scored a career high 26 points and also had 13 rebounds in the win. The Beavers shot 54%.
Next Games: Nov 27 Belmont in Arizona, Nov 28 at Northern Arizona or vs Siena.
UCLA 3-1
Beat Hawaii 98-52. UCLA tied a school record with 12 three’s led by Erica Tukiainen’s 6 three’s, and 24 points. Frosh Markel Walker had 12 points, 12 rebounds and 8 steals. Darxia Morris had 18 points, connecting on 3 of 4 from three. Mariah Williams, another frosh, had 8 assists in only 19 minutes.
Beat Utah 69-33. The game started with Utah scoring, but at the wrong Basket. Walker led the way with 10 points and 8 rebounds as lots of Bruins played and they subbed freely. The Bruins had 19 assists vs only 11 turnovers.
Next Games: Nov 25, Princeton, Nov 28 at Tenn (TV)
USC 1-2
Lost to Gonzaga 70-58 in Spokane. Ashley Corral scored 23 points for the Trojans who played very poorly. Michelle Jenkins went down with a knee injury. USC shot 29% and had only 5 assists the whole game. Gonzaga is a top 20 team, who we play Sunday.
Next Games: Nov 26, Rutgers, Nov 27, Texas, Nov 28, Mississippi, all in the Virgin Islands.
Washington 1-1
The Huskies Beat BYU on a 3 pointer by Sami Whitcomb with 4 seconds left. This, after losing to Portland State with .3 seconds left last week. Whitcomb had 25 points for Washington. There were 53 turnovers in the game, 31 by BYU.
The Huskies lost at Gonzaga 81-52. Regina Rogers scored 12 points in 16 minutes as the Huskies had 24 turnovers and shot 30%. For Gonzaga, who Stanford plays Sunday, Courtney Vandersloot had 18 points and 11 assists while Katelan Redmon played against her former team and scored 18 points on 9 of 12 shooting. Gonzaga outrebound the Huskies by 20. A near capacity 4400 people saw the game.
Next Games: Nov 27, Eastern Washington, Nov 29, Sacramento State
Washington State 1-2
Lost at Kansas State 70-63. 5 for 27 from three doomed the Cougars. I trust June will point out 20 for 41, almost 50% from inside the arc. Kiki Moore had 17 points, 6 assists and steals as the Frosh continues to make an impact.
Lost at Nebraska 107-54.
Next Games: Nov 28 Bradley in Las Vegas, Nov 29, UNLV or Boise State
November 22, 2009
November 16, 2009
The first week of real play
Arizona 2-0
Arizona wins their first game beating Iona at Iona 75-70. The Wildcats led by 21 at one point, lost their lead but then came back to win in Overtime. Davellyn Whyte made her debut as the frosh scored 27 points and had 8 rebounds and 0 turnovers in 44 minutes. Whyte hit 4 of 10 three’s. Soph JC transfer Brooke Jackson added 13 points hitting 3 of 4 three’s. Ify Ibekwe only scored 11 points and had 8 turnovers, but had an amazing 21 rebounds.
The Wildcats moved to 2-0 by beating Miami of Ohio 91-67. Ibekwe had 15 points and 16 rebounds and Tournament MVP Whyte had 11 points including 3 three’s. Reiko Thomas added 17 points off the bench. The Wildcats had 20 assists and 19 turnovers, a plus on that side for the first time in my memory. Ibekwe turned around in this game with 5 assists and only 2 turnovers.
Next Games: Nov 21st at San Diego State. Nov 23rd, Mississippi.
ASU 1-0
Beat South Dakota State 73-64. Becca Tobin had a career high 18 points to lead the Sun Devils to a home victory over a team that was in the NCAA last year. Kayli Murphy added 11 points and 12 rebounds. New Point Guard Tenaya Watson had 7 rebounds and 7 assists in 17 minutes, but also 6 turnovers.
Next Games Nov 19 at Yale, Nov 21 at Xavier (big Game)
Cal 1-0
The Bears beat Idaho State 100-43, the first time Cal has reached 100 in 13 years. Natasha Vital led the Bears with 16 points and 6 steals in 17 minutes. Two frosh started, DeNesha Stallworth who had 17 points and 8 rebounds and Gennifer Brandon who scored 10 points and had 8 rebounds. Alexis Gray-Lawson hit 3 three’s and had 16points. Cal had 1900 fans at the game, a good attendance.
Next Games, Nov 17, St Mary’s, Nov 22, Baylor
Oregon 0-0 Starts tonight.
Next Games: Nov 16, Eastern Washington Nov 22nd at Montana, Nov 24th Santa Clara
Oregon State 1-0
Beat Cal Poly 71-61 in their opener. Kirsten Tilleman, who played with Jos Tinkle in HS scored 19 points on 8 of 11 shooting and added 8 rebounds. Talisa Rhea scored 20 points. Kate Lanz had 5 assists in 17 minutes.
Next Games: Nov 19th at Houston, Nov 22nd at Houston Baptist.
UCLA 1-1
Lost in OT to Illinois State in a bad loss for the Pac 10, 61-55. No Bruin with more than 12 points. Frosh Markel Walker with 10 points and 9 rebounds. The 2 UCLA centers scored 6 points and had 7 rebounds in 30 minutes. Neither started.
Beat Santa Clara 77-51. Erica Tukiainen scored 21 points on 5 of 7 from three. Frosh Mariah Williams scored 10 points and had 6 assists. Moniquee Alexander had 10 rebounds. Rebekah Gardner scored 14 points making a pair of three’s.
Next Games: Nov 19, Hawaii, Nov 21 Utah at San Diego
USC 1-1
USC dropped their opener in OT to a strong Xavier team 81-71. Ashley Corral scored 25 points going 5 of 10 from three. Brianna Gilbreath scored 19 points and had 8 rebounds, Aarika Hughes had 14 points and 7 rebounds. USC had only 12 assists and 24turnovers.
USC came back to beat Fresno State 68-63, led by Brianna Gilbreath’s 17 points and 7 rebounds. Ashley Corral added 10 points and 7 assists, but went 0 for 6 from 3. Christina Marinacci had 12 points and 7 rebounds, Kari LaPlante 12 points and 6 rebounds.
Next Games: Nov 19 at Gonzaga
Washington 0-1
Washington lost to Portland State 67-66 despite 22 points and 10 rebounds by Sami Whitcomb. Kristi Kingma missed the game with an illness. Liz Lay played her first game, playing 9 minutes. Sarah Morton had 7 assists. Regina Rodgers could only play 11 minutes and had 6 turnovers. Portland State is the favorite to win the Big Sky and is coached by Sherri Murrell who was the Washington State coach.
Washington State 1-0
Beat UC Davis 64-54, led by frosh Kiki Moore with 17 points, although she also had 7 turnovers. April Cook had 14 points and 8 rebounds. Katie Madison, who played so well in the exhibitions, only scored 4 points with 6 rebounds.
Next Games: Nov 20th at Kansas State, Nov 22nd at Nebraska
Arizona wins their first game beating Iona at Iona 75-70. The Wildcats led by 21 at one point, lost their lead but then came back to win in Overtime. Davellyn Whyte made her debut as the frosh scored 27 points and had 8 rebounds and 0 turnovers in 44 minutes. Whyte hit 4 of 10 three’s. Soph JC transfer Brooke Jackson added 13 points hitting 3 of 4 three’s. Ify Ibekwe only scored 11 points and had 8 turnovers, but had an amazing 21 rebounds.
The Wildcats moved to 2-0 by beating Miami of Ohio 91-67. Ibekwe had 15 points and 16 rebounds and Tournament MVP Whyte had 11 points including 3 three’s. Reiko Thomas added 17 points off the bench. The Wildcats had 20 assists and 19 turnovers, a plus on that side for the first time in my memory. Ibekwe turned around in this game with 5 assists and only 2 turnovers.
Next Games: Nov 21st at San Diego State. Nov 23rd, Mississippi.
ASU 1-0
Beat South Dakota State 73-64. Becca Tobin had a career high 18 points to lead the Sun Devils to a home victory over a team that was in the NCAA last year. Kayli Murphy added 11 points and 12 rebounds. New Point Guard Tenaya Watson had 7 rebounds and 7 assists in 17 minutes, but also 6 turnovers.
Next Games Nov 19 at Yale, Nov 21 at Xavier (big Game)
Cal 1-0
The Bears beat Idaho State 100-43, the first time Cal has reached 100 in 13 years. Natasha Vital led the Bears with 16 points and 6 steals in 17 minutes. Two frosh started, DeNesha Stallworth who had 17 points and 8 rebounds and Gennifer Brandon who scored 10 points and had 8 rebounds. Alexis Gray-Lawson hit 3 three’s and had 16points. Cal had 1900 fans at the game, a good attendance.
Next Games, Nov 17, St Mary’s, Nov 22, Baylor
Oregon 0-0 Starts tonight.
Next Games: Nov 16, Eastern Washington Nov 22nd at Montana, Nov 24th Santa Clara
Oregon State 1-0
Beat Cal Poly 71-61 in their opener. Kirsten Tilleman, who played with Jos Tinkle in HS scored 19 points on 8 of 11 shooting and added 8 rebounds. Talisa Rhea scored 20 points. Kate Lanz had 5 assists in 17 minutes.
Next Games: Nov 19th at Houston, Nov 22nd at Houston Baptist.
UCLA 1-1
Lost in OT to Illinois State in a bad loss for the Pac 10, 61-55. No Bruin with more than 12 points. Frosh Markel Walker with 10 points and 9 rebounds. The 2 UCLA centers scored 6 points and had 7 rebounds in 30 minutes. Neither started.
Beat Santa Clara 77-51. Erica Tukiainen scored 21 points on 5 of 7 from three. Frosh Mariah Williams scored 10 points and had 6 assists. Moniquee Alexander had 10 rebounds. Rebekah Gardner scored 14 points making a pair of three’s.
Next Games: Nov 19, Hawaii, Nov 21 Utah at San Diego
USC 1-1
USC dropped their opener in OT to a strong Xavier team 81-71. Ashley Corral scored 25 points going 5 of 10 from three. Brianna Gilbreath scored 19 points and had 8 rebounds, Aarika Hughes had 14 points and 7 rebounds. USC had only 12 assists and 24turnovers.
USC came back to beat Fresno State 68-63, led by Brianna Gilbreath’s 17 points and 7 rebounds. Ashley Corral added 10 points and 7 assists, but went 0 for 6 from 3. Christina Marinacci had 12 points and 7 rebounds, Kari LaPlante 12 points and 6 rebounds.
Next Games: Nov 19 at Gonzaga
Washington 0-1
Washington lost to Portland State 67-66 despite 22 points and 10 rebounds by Sami Whitcomb. Kristi Kingma missed the game with an illness. Liz Lay played her first game, playing 9 minutes. Sarah Morton had 7 assists. Regina Rodgers could only play 11 minutes and had 6 turnovers. Portland State is the favorite to win the Big Sky and is coached by Sherri Murrell who was the Washington State coach.
Washington State 1-0
Beat UC Davis 64-54, led by frosh Kiki Moore with 17 points, although she also had 7 turnovers. April Cook had 14 points and 8 rebounds. Katie Madison, who played so well in the exhibitions, only scored 4 points with 6 rebounds.
Next Games: Nov 20th at Kansas State, Nov 22nd at Nebraska
November 10, 2009
Play begins for Pac 10 Teams
Arizona beat Arizona 75-60 in an exhibition game. All five starters scored in double figures. The lineup included three newcomers, two JC transfers and one frosh. Ify Ibekwe had 11 points and 14 rebounds in 24 minutes. JC transfer Brooke Jackson had 17 points and 11 rebounds. The Wildcats played with three Guards and two Forwards most of the game.
Arizona won their final exhibition, beating Grand Canyon 83-56. Foothill transfer Jennifer Kioa had 9 points, 9 rebounds and 8 blocked shots. Arizona hit 12 of 21 three’s.
Next Games: Nov 14th at Iona, Nov 15th at Iona against either Bucknell or Miami of Ohio.
ASU won their exhibition beating Vanguard 97-64. Kali Bennett, the transfer from Washington, made her Sun Devil debut and scored 18 point with 13 rebounds in only 15 minutes of play. Two other post players played very well. Kimberly Brandon had 19 points and 7 rebounds and Redshirt Frosh Janae Fulcher made her ASU debut with 12 points and 8 rebounds. Impressive and just when we wondered how strong ASU might be in the Post.
Next game Nov 15 vs South Dakota St.
Cal opened their season with an exhibition win over Vanguard, 101-81. DeNesha Stallworth debut with 21 points and 9 rebounds. Fellow frosh Brenna Heater scored 9 points and had 17 rebounds. Alexis Gray-Lawson had 18 points, building on the 4 three’s she made. On the down side Cal had 23 turnovers.
Next game, Nov 15, Idaho State.
Oregon beat Southern Oregon 109-47 in their first exhibition. Micaela Cocks had 22 points and Center Amanda Johnson had 19 points and 9 steals. The run and gun Ducks took 98 shots. Compare that to Stanford’s Sunday total of 72.
Oregon then beat Western Oregon 109-65 in their final exhibition. In this game they took 91 shots and hit 53%. Johnson had 25 points and 11 rebounds. Nia Jackson had 23 points and 6 assists.
Next Game: Nov 18, Eastern Washington.
Oregon State went over 100 in their exhibition win over Concordia 113-35. Seven Beavers scored in double figures. Talisa Rhea hit 4 of 8 three’s on her way to 23 points, and 8 assists. Frosh Kate Lenz had 16 points, 8 assists and only 2 turnovers in her debut. Frosh Guard Haiden Palmer debuted with 20 points, 3 of 6 from three, and had 6 steals.
The Beavers beat Lewis and Clark for their 2nd exhibition win, 103-25. Six players scored in double figures, led by Frosh Kate Lenz with 16. Four others had 6 or 8 points.
Next Game: Nov 13 vs Cal Poly.
UCLA beat Masters College 80-66. It seems that Atonye Nyingifa had a knee operation in May and will be out for a while, I don’t know how long. She would be a starter, so a big blow. Frosh Markel Walker made her debut with 8 points and 11 rebounds. Erica Tukiainen had 16 points and 3 blocks, Doreena Campbell had 13 points and 7 assists, Darxia Morris had 10 points and 6 assists and 3 steals. Candice Brown a little used post player has left the team.
Next Games: Nov 14th, Illinois State in Iowa, Nov 15th, Iowa or Santa Clara in Iowa.
USC hasn’t played yet although they did scrimmage UC Riverside and lost.
Next Games: Nov 13, Xavier, Nov 15, Fresno State
Washington edged Seattle Pacific 69-61 in their first game. A Seattle Pacific played hit 5 of 6 three’s. Liz Lay sat out this game, resting the knee that did NOT have the ACL a year and a half ago. Washington started four Guards and Regina Rogers at Center, but Laura McLellan came off the bench for Rogers and scored 18 points. Sami Whitcomb had 15 points, Sara Mosiman 14 points and Kristi Kingma 9 points and 9 rebounds.
Washington beat Corban 106-34. Sami Whitcomb led the Huskies with 23 points.
Next Games: Nov 14th at Portland State
Washington State won their Exhibition over Lewis and Clark, 76-58. The Cougars had 26 steals and Lewis and Clark 39 Turnovers. The down side: The Cougars only shot 30% and only 6 of 25 from three. Idaho transfer Katie Madison, at 6’, started at Center for the Cougars and had 11 points and 15 rebounds, 10 offensive. Quite a debut. Frosh Kiki Moore from San Francisco had 12 points and 6 steals but 5 turnovers. Jasmine Perkins led the way with 19 points.
Arizona won their final exhibition, beating Grand Canyon 83-56. Foothill transfer Jennifer Kioa had 9 points, 9 rebounds and 8 blocked shots. Arizona hit 12 of 21 three’s.
Next Games: Nov 14th at Iona, Nov 15th at Iona against either Bucknell or Miami of Ohio.
ASU won their exhibition beating Vanguard 97-64. Kali Bennett, the transfer from Washington, made her Sun Devil debut and scored 18 point with 13 rebounds in only 15 minutes of play. Two other post players played very well. Kimberly Brandon had 19 points and 7 rebounds and Redshirt Frosh Janae Fulcher made her ASU debut with 12 points and 8 rebounds. Impressive and just when we wondered how strong ASU might be in the Post.
Next game Nov 15 vs South Dakota St.
Cal opened their season with an exhibition win over Vanguard, 101-81. DeNesha Stallworth debut with 21 points and 9 rebounds. Fellow frosh Brenna Heater scored 9 points and had 17 rebounds. Alexis Gray-Lawson had 18 points, building on the 4 three’s she made. On the down side Cal had 23 turnovers.
Next game, Nov 15, Idaho State.
Oregon beat Southern Oregon 109-47 in their first exhibition. Micaela Cocks had 22 points and Center Amanda Johnson had 19 points and 9 steals. The run and gun Ducks took 98 shots. Compare that to Stanford’s Sunday total of 72.
Oregon then beat Western Oregon 109-65 in their final exhibition. In this game they took 91 shots and hit 53%. Johnson had 25 points and 11 rebounds. Nia Jackson had 23 points and 6 assists.
Next Game: Nov 18, Eastern Washington.
Oregon State went over 100 in their exhibition win over Concordia 113-35. Seven Beavers scored in double figures. Talisa Rhea hit 4 of 8 three’s on her way to 23 points, and 8 assists. Frosh Kate Lenz had 16 points, 8 assists and only 2 turnovers in her debut. Frosh Guard Haiden Palmer debuted with 20 points, 3 of 6 from three, and had 6 steals.
The Beavers beat Lewis and Clark for their 2nd exhibition win, 103-25. Six players scored in double figures, led by Frosh Kate Lenz with 16. Four others had 6 or 8 points.
Next Game: Nov 13 vs Cal Poly.
UCLA beat Masters College 80-66. It seems that Atonye Nyingifa had a knee operation in May and will be out for a while, I don’t know how long. She would be a starter, so a big blow. Frosh Markel Walker made her debut with 8 points and 11 rebounds. Erica Tukiainen had 16 points and 3 blocks, Doreena Campbell had 13 points and 7 assists, Darxia Morris had 10 points and 6 assists and 3 steals. Candice Brown a little used post player has left the team.
Next Games: Nov 14th, Illinois State in Iowa, Nov 15th, Iowa or Santa Clara in Iowa.
USC hasn’t played yet although they did scrimmage UC Riverside and lost.
Next Games: Nov 13, Xavier, Nov 15, Fresno State
Washington edged Seattle Pacific 69-61 in their first game. A Seattle Pacific played hit 5 of 6 three’s. Liz Lay sat out this game, resting the knee that did NOT have the ACL a year and a half ago. Washington started four Guards and Regina Rogers at Center, but Laura McLellan came off the bench for Rogers and scored 18 points. Sami Whitcomb had 15 points, Sara Mosiman 14 points and Kristi Kingma 9 points and 9 rebounds.
Washington beat Corban 106-34. Sami Whitcomb led the Huskies with 23 points.
Next Games: Nov 14th at Portland State
Washington State won their Exhibition over Lewis and Clark, 76-58. The Cougars had 26 steals and Lewis and Clark 39 Turnovers. The down side: The Cougars only shot 30% and only 6 of 25 from three. Idaho transfer Katie Madison, at 6’, started at Center for the Cougars and had 11 points and 15 rebounds, 10 offensive. Quite a debut. Frosh Kiki Moore from San Francisco had 12 points and 6 steals but 5 turnovers. Jasmine Perkins led the way with 19 points.
November 6, 2009
The Bruins want to Dance
Last year UCLA had a decent 19-12 record, but only 9-9 in Pac 10 play as Nikki Caldwell made her Coaching debut for the Bruins. Two years ago UCLA was 16-15, but 10-8 in league play, for Kathy Olivier’s last season. And three years ago UCLA had a losing record for both the season and league play. In 2005-06 UCLA went to the NCAA winning their first game, after going 21-11 overall and 12-6 in the Pac 10. So four years later, UCLA wants to return to the Dance, the NCAA tournament.
UCLA lost only two players from last year and replace them with three newcomers with far more potential. Tierra Henderson averaged 6 points per game and Chinyere Ibekwe averaged 5 points and 6 rebounds per game. Both have graduated.
UCLA welcomes three newcomers, and two of them, Markel Walker and Jasmine Dixon were top 10 players in High School.
In the Post position the Bruins have three players led by 6-4 Jr Christina Nzekwe. Nzekwe hit a couple of Three’s at Stanford and 10 on the year, so we know she can step out and shoot, however she only 39% on all her attempts. She was UCLA’s 4th leading scorer, 6.3 and tied for 3rd leading rebounder, 4.8 per game, last season. Moniquee Alexander is a 6-6 Sr, who averaged 4.5 points and 4.8 rebounds per game. Alexander only played 15 minutes per game. Candice Brown is a 6-3 Jr who didn’t play much this past season.
At the forward position UCLA has skill and depth. Markel Walker is a 6-1 frosh and a top 5 recruit. She was recruited from Philadelphia by Coach Caldwell and should have an immediate impact. Atonye Nyingifa is a 5-11 Soph who was a top 20 High School player and did have an immediate impact as a frosh. Atonye started 16 games and averaged 6.1 points, 6th on the team, and 4.9 rebounds, 2nd on the team.
Jasmine Dixon is a 5-1l Soph who transferred from Rutgers and will be eligible Dec 12th. She’s listed as a Guard, but could well be an Ashley Walker type player. Her game is power, but she is highly skilled, a top 10 player in High School. Nina Earl is a 6-1 Jr who averaged 16 minutes a game last season, scoring 6 points per game.
The top three scorers for the Bruins last season were Guards and they all return. Doreena Campbell is an all star candidate. She’s a 5-10 Jr who lead the team in scoring, 12.9, Assists, with a ratio of 1.25:1 assists to turnovers, and three point shooting, 40%. It should be noted that Campbell’s 26 three’s were only one behind the leader. UCLA does not shoot a lot of three’s. Erica Tukiainen is a 6-0 Sr and the # 2 scorer from last season at 8.3 points per game. Erica started all but one game.
Darxia Morris is a 5-8 Jr who was the # 3 scorer last season with an 8.1 average per game. Morris is very, very quick and was the 3rd Guard last year behind Tukiainen and Campbell. Rebekah Gardner is a 6-0 Soph who averaged 14 minutes and 4.4 points per game. 5-8 Sr Allison Taka saw action in every game last season. 5-3 Frosh Mariah Williams is a super quick Point Guard from Colorado and will add depth to this group.
UCLA’s non conference schedule includes Utah, Tennessee, Kansas and Texas Tech and maybe Iowa. They open Pac 10 at ASU then at home to Stanford and Cal. They are looking to make the NCAA Tournament, and being consistently a Post Season Player.
UCLA lost only two players from last year and replace them with three newcomers with far more potential. Tierra Henderson averaged 6 points per game and Chinyere Ibekwe averaged 5 points and 6 rebounds per game. Both have graduated.
UCLA welcomes three newcomers, and two of them, Markel Walker and Jasmine Dixon were top 10 players in High School.
In the Post position the Bruins have three players led by 6-4 Jr Christina Nzekwe. Nzekwe hit a couple of Three’s at Stanford and 10 on the year, so we know she can step out and shoot, however she only 39% on all her attempts. She was UCLA’s 4th leading scorer, 6.3 and tied for 3rd leading rebounder, 4.8 per game, last season. Moniquee Alexander is a 6-6 Sr, who averaged 4.5 points and 4.8 rebounds per game. Alexander only played 15 minutes per game. Candice Brown is a 6-3 Jr who didn’t play much this past season.
At the forward position UCLA has skill and depth. Markel Walker is a 6-1 frosh and a top 5 recruit. She was recruited from Philadelphia by Coach Caldwell and should have an immediate impact. Atonye Nyingifa is a 5-11 Soph who was a top 20 High School player and did have an immediate impact as a frosh. Atonye started 16 games and averaged 6.1 points, 6th on the team, and 4.9 rebounds, 2nd on the team.
Jasmine Dixon is a 5-1l Soph who transferred from Rutgers and will be eligible Dec 12th. She’s listed as a Guard, but could well be an Ashley Walker type player. Her game is power, but she is highly skilled, a top 10 player in High School. Nina Earl is a 6-1 Jr who averaged 16 minutes a game last season, scoring 6 points per game.
The top three scorers for the Bruins last season were Guards and they all return. Doreena Campbell is an all star candidate. She’s a 5-10 Jr who lead the team in scoring, 12.9, Assists, with a ratio of 1.25:1 assists to turnovers, and three point shooting, 40%. It should be noted that Campbell’s 26 three’s were only one behind the leader. UCLA does not shoot a lot of three’s. Erica Tukiainen is a 6-0 Sr and the # 2 scorer from last season at 8.3 points per game. Erica started all but one game.
Darxia Morris is a 5-8 Jr who was the # 3 scorer last season with an 8.1 average per game. Morris is very, very quick and was the 3rd Guard last year behind Tukiainen and Campbell. Rebekah Gardner is a 6-0 Soph who averaged 14 minutes and 4.4 points per game. 5-8 Sr Allison Taka saw action in every game last season. 5-3 Frosh Mariah Williams is a super quick Point Guard from Colorado and will add depth to this group.
UCLA’s non conference schedule includes Utah, Tennessee, Kansas and Texas Tech and maybe Iowa. They open Pac 10 at ASU then at home to Stanford and Cal. They are looking to make the NCAA Tournament, and being consistently a Post Season Player.
November 2, 2009
Basketball on Roller Skates at Oregon
Last season the Ducks were 9-21, the year before 14-17, and the year before 17-14. The Ducks were getting worse and worse and not attracting top players. The result, Paul Westhead was hired to replace Bev Smith. Now if you go by contracts, this is a huge upgrade. Plus, Westhead is the only Coach to ever win both an NCAA title and a WNBA Title. His record coaching college men is a 56% winning percentage. He is best known for his run and gun style of play with Loyola Marymount and the NBA Denver Nuggets. The huge question is can Westhead come back to college and give 5 years or so to build a program? It remains to be seen.
The Ducks losses were minimal. Center Ellie Manou was their # 3 scorer, 8 points per game, and # 2 rebounder, 5 per game. Manou returned to her native Australia. Guard Darriel Gaynor was their # 11 scorer and she did not return.
Now the next question is, will Oregon really play a run and gun, get to 100 type of game? Well I don’t know, but I really doubt that they have that kind of team today. They have a very light schedule, GaTech, Wisconsin and Utah being their toughest games by far. So maybe they will run. It’s a team with only four players over 6 feet, if that’s any indication.
Oregon returns two big Centers, 6-5 JR Nicole Canepa, and 6-4 Jr Ellyce Ironmonger. Canepa averaged 7 points and 4 rebounds per game as a frosh, but injuries held her to 6 points and 2 rebounds per game last season. She’s athletic and can run. Ironmonger is, well a banger. She started 17 games two years ago as a frosh, averaging 6.5 points and 4 rebounds per game. Her highs were 18 points and 14 rebounds. However she fell off as a Soph to only 7.5 minutes per game. Both Centers played behind the departed Manou.
Amanda Johnson had a fine Frosh year, she’s a 6-2 Soph who led the Ducks in rebounding at 5.4 per game while averaging 7.9 points per game. Johnson was Honorable Mention All Pac 10 Frosh, and was the first Duck Frosh to lead the team in rebounding in 30 years, or since…Bev Smith, the former Head Coach. Victoria Kenyon is a 6-2 Jr from Australia. Kenyon has been mostly a back up Post for two seasons, although she did start 12 games as a frosh.
The Ducks have two fine Sr Guards in Taylor Lilley, 5-6, and Jillian Harmon’s Olympic teammate, 5-8 Micaela Cocks. Cocks was the leading scorer for the Ducks at 13.5 point per game, including 68 three’s at 39%. Cocks is also the all time Free Throw % leader at Oregon. Lilly was the # 2 scorer with 10 points per game, and hit 31% of her three’s. As a soph, two years ago, Lilly made 74 three’s. In High School Lilly made 275 three’s at a 44% rate.
Oregon has a number of players who could move into the rotation. 6-0 Soph Jasmin Holliday started 20 games and averaged 5 points per game last season. 5-10 Sr Lindsey Stafford started 14 games and averaged 4 points per game. 5-11 Jr Tatianna Thomas started 8 games and averaged almost 3 points per game. All three of these players should receive quite a bit of playing time. A note on all three, none are three point shooters.
Aliyah Green is a 5-11 Frosh from Portland, the only player signed by the old coaching staff last November. Nia Jackson is a 5-7 Soph. Nia lost last year to an ACL and had two difficult injuries as a frosh. She had a 9 point, 7 rebound game early in her career though, so has shown potential.
Two players were signed by the new Staff in April. Kristi Fallin was the Oregon JC Player of the Year. She’s a 5-10 Jr who scored 23 points per game. In her two JC years she hit 208 three’s and last year hit 118 at 45%. She could be a big addition and the 3rd outside bomber for the Ducks.
Candyce Flynn is another JC transfer, although she played her frosh year at Morehead State. Flynn is a 5-6 Point Guard who could start. She averaged 14 points and 5 assists a game last year in JC.
It’ll be an interesting year for Westhead and the Ducks. Not a great year but playing a very up tempo game.
The Ducks losses were minimal. Center Ellie Manou was their # 3 scorer, 8 points per game, and # 2 rebounder, 5 per game. Manou returned to her native Australia. Guard Darriel Gaynor was their # 11 scorer and she did not return.
Now the next question is, will Oregon really play a run and gun, get to 100 type of game? Well I don’t know, but I really doubt that they have that kind of team today. They have a very light schedule, GaTech, Wisconsin and Utah being their toughest games by far. So maybe they will run. It’s a team with only four players over 6 feet, if that’s any indication.
Oregon returns two big Centers, 6-5 JR Nicole Canepa, and 6-4 Jr Ellyce Ironmonger. Canepa averaged 7 points and 4 rebounds per game as a frosh, but injuries held her to 6 points and 2 rebounds per game last season. She’s athletic and can run. Ironmonger is, well a banger. She started 17 games two years ago as a frosh, averaging 6.5 points and 4 rebounds per game. Her highs were 18 points and 14 rebounds. However she fell off as a Soph to only 7.5 minutes per game. Both Centers played behind the departed Manou.
Amanda Johnson had a fine Frosh year, she’s a 6-2 Soph who led the Ducks in rebounding at 5.4 per game while averaging 7.9 points per game. Johnson was Honorable Mention All Pac 10 Frosh, and was the first Duck Frosh to lead the team in rebounding in 30 years, or since…Bev Smith, the former Head Coach. Victoria Kenyon is a 6-2 Jr from Australia. Kenyon has been mostly a back up Post for two seasons, although she did start 12 games as a frosh.
The Ducks have two fine Sr Guards in Taylor Lilley, 5-6, and Jillian Harmon’s Olympic teammate, 5-8 Micaela Cocks. Cocks was the leading scorer for the Ducks at 13.5 point per game, including 68 three’s at 39%. Cocks is also the all time Free Throw % leader at Oregon. Lilly was the # 2 scorer with 10 points per game, and hit 31% of her three’s. As a soph, two years ago, Lilly made 74 three’s. In High School Lilly made 275 three’s at a 44% rate.
Oregon has a number of players who could move into the rotation. 6-0 Soph Jasmin Holliday started 20 games and averaged 5 points per game last season. 5-10 Sr Lindsey Stafford started 14 games and averaged 4 points per game. 5-11 Jr Tatianna Thomas started 8 games and averaged almost 3 points per game. All three of these players should receive quite a bit of playing time. A note on all three, none are three point shooters.
Aliyah Green is a 5-11 Frosh from Portland, the only player signed by the old coaching staff last November. Nia Jackson is a 5-7 Soph. Nia lost last year to an ACL and had two difficult injuries as a frosh. She had a 9 point, 7 rebound game early in her career though, so has shown potential.
Two players were signed by the new Staff in April. Kristi Fallin was the Oregon JC Player of the Year. She’s a 5-10 Jr who scored 23 points per game. In her two JC years she hit 208 three’s and last year hit 118 at 45%. She could be a big addition and the 3rd outside bomber for the Ducks.
Candyce Flynn is another JC transfer, although she played her frosh year at Morehead State. Flynn is a 5-6 Point Guard who could start. She averaged 14 points and 5 assists a game last year in JC.
It’ll be an interesting year for Westhead and the Ducks. Not a great year but playing a very up tempo game.
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