Yesterday's practice

1,920 Views | 8 Replies | Last: 3 yr ago by Schroeder71
wvitbear
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Keep waiting for someone else to comment but so far no takers.

Went to yesterday's practice and I attended an earlier practice September 18th. Lots of changes from that practice. The first being different male practice players this time. One guy in particular was a lode to handle.

Observations:

1. Karisma Ortiz looked much better. She looked much quicker and appeared to be in better shape. She looks like she will be able to help the team. Thumbs up for her.

2. Got to see Bella Stevens for the first time. She probably won't help much this year but she shows promise. In the sprints, she lead almost every time. Of course some of the faster ones were just coasting. But still, she had fairly good straight ahead speed. Laterally, not as quick which is where you notice things defensively. Shot the three fairly well.

3. Had more appreciation for Peanut. Very active and my vote for the Blue Collar player of the year. Not tall but throws her weight round. Will score enough.

4. Amaya bonner is the most athletic player on the team. The only player who could hold her own with the good male player. Good defense and rebounding. Doesn't shoot well from outside.

5. Jayda Curry looks like a star and was the best player at the scrimmage by far. On one play, she was 30 feet from the rim with time running out and two defenders on her and she threw up a Steph Curry shot that was nothing but net. Did I mention she was falling away.

6. Claudia Lanarita looked better to me also. In better shape, and was more active physically. Still don't like her shot as it is a low release point. Can make it but will have trouble getting it off.

7. No Jada (was told she was sick) and no Alma as I think she is out for the season.

8. Kemery Martin was solis as usual and is a good all around guard. She can shoot the three but is fairly athletic and passes well.

9. Lelani and Michele looked good. Very athletic and both will help this team this season. Eva is solid and seems to be stationed at the top of the key a lot. She made some nice passes.

10. Mia looked in great shape and still has long arms. They didn't shrink.

All in all a spirited practice. Cal coaches even coached the men some plus some of the men ran wind springs with them.

Saw a couple of people on the side lines whom i didn't recognize. They may have been recruits. They may have not been.

They gave us some food before the event which was a first for me. Sat among the usual wonderful people and it was not crowded so Covid watchers were safe.

At one point Eliza Pierre led us in some cheers. There were two people on the other side of the court so our side said go and they said Bears. Or maybe it was the other way around. Pierre would make a good Mic Man .

Someone else can comment.
SFCALBear72
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I was there too.

I agree about Karisma Ortiz. Despite wearing that brace, she is very mobile and athletic. Need to keep her healthy. I'm sure she's a bit rusty after being off the court for so long.

Jadyn Bush was there (sitting behind the scorer's table wearing a mask). Speedy recovery, Jadyn!

I thought it was interesting what Peanut had to say when asked during the Q & A to compare the coaching staffs at CU and Cal. At CU, she was coached to pass first, and scoring was secondary. Whereas here, she is being encouraged to take shots and score.

Alma said that she was feeling good and recovering (if you recall, she had surgery during the summer before connecting with the team in Croatia). I don't think she's out for the season.

Amaya Bonner is going to get significant playing time. Good defender. And she was hitting some 3's.
She could be pivotal in the defensive schemes particularly if they do more pressing this season as Coach Smith implied. Greater depth allows you to do it. This is where we might also see Bella Stevens on the floor.

Sela Heide looks 100% and could be a contributor this season.

Evelien looks like she is ready to have a great senior season...scoring and rebounding!

Claudia Langarita averaged 10.5 points per game and shot 48% from the field as a freshman last season at USF. I think she could be a solid contributor with scoring and rebounding as the season progresses.

Differences from last season: Guard depth and added skilled bigs.
stu
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Thanks for the comments. Much appreciated!
graguna
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wvitbear said:

Keep waiting for someone else to comment but so far no takers.

Went to yesterday's practice and I attended an earlier practice September 18th. Lots of changes from that practice. The first being different male practice players this time. One guy in particular was a lode to handle.

Observations:

1. Karisma Ortiz looked much better. She looked much quicker and appeared to be in better shape. She looks like she will be able to help the team. Thumbs up for her.

2. Got to see Bella Stevens for the first time. She probably won't help much this year but she shows promise. In the sprints, she lead almost every time. Of course some of the faster ones were just coasting. But still, she had fairly good straight ahead speed. Laterally, not as quick which is where you notice things defensively. Shot the three fairly well.

3. Had more appreciation for Peanut. Very active and my vote for the Blue Collar player of the year. Not tall but throws her weight round. Will score enough.

4. Amaya bonner is the most athletic player on the team. The only player who could hold her own with the good male player. Good defense and rebounding. Doesn't shoot well from outside.

5. Jayda Curry looks like a star and was the best player at the scrimmage by far. On one play, she was 30 feet from the rim with time running out and two defenders on her and she threw up a Steph Curry shot that was nothing but net. Did I mention she was falling away.

6. Claudia Lanarita looked better to me also. In better shape, and was more active physically. Still don't like her shot as it is a low release point. Can make it but will have trouble getting it off.

7. No Jada (was told she was sick) and no Alma as I think she is out for the season.

8. Kemery Martin was solis as usual and is a good all around guard. She can shoot the three but is fairly athletic and passes well.

9. Lelani and Michele looked good. Very athletic and both will help this team this season. Eva is solid and seems to be stationed at the top of the key a lot. She made some nice passes.

10. Mia looked in great shape and still has long arms. They didn't shrink.

All in all a spirited practice. Cal coaches even coached the men some plus some of the men ran wind springs with them.

Saw a couple of people on the side lines whom i didn't recognize. They may have been recruits. They may have not been.

They gave us some food before the event which was a first for me. Sat among the usual wonderful people and it was not crowded so Covid watchers were safe.

At one point Eliza Pierre led us in some cheers. There were two people on the other side of the court so our side said go and they said Bears. Or maybe it was the other way around. Pierre would make a good Mic Man .

Someone else can comment.
if she keeps getting better, soon Steph will be putting up Jayda Curry type shots
Schroeder71
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wvitbear & SFCB72: thank you for your comprehensive reviews of practice. Since I have seen neither the exhibition nor the practice, I'll allay my concerns until after tomorrrow's season opener. Right now it appears to be a ten player regular rotation. One or two might have to be trimmed as the season progresses. It's still a good problem to have: too much depth! GO BEARS!
SFCALBear72
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Schroeder71 said:

wvitbear & SFCB72: thank you for your comprehensive reviews of practice. Since I have seen neither the exhibition nor the practice, I'll allay my concerns until after tomorrrow's season opener. Right now it appears to be a ten player regular rotation. One or two might have to be trimmed as the season progresses. It's still a good problem to have: too much depth! GO BEARS!
Likely an 11-player rotation. Jadyn Bush has been out ill and missed the exhibition. She'll definitely be in the mix. Coach Smith said yesterday that she doesn't want Leilani and Jayda playing 36 minutes per game.
wvitbear
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I didn't stay around for the talk. So Thanks for the info SFCAL Bear. Was just going on what I saw.

Since Jadyn wasn't at either practice, why does everyone think she will be much of a factor. I like her attitude but she is undersized.

Alma will be way behind when she does start practice. There is a lot of depth in front of her. She's been hurt for two years. How active do you think she would be?
SFCALBear72
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wvitbear said:

I didn't stay around for the talk. So Thanks for the info SFCAL Bear. Was just going on what I saw.

Since Jadyn wasn't at either practice, why does everyone think she will be much of a factor. I like her attitude but she is undersized.

Alma will be way behind when she does start practice. There is a lot of depth in front of her. She's been hurt for two years. How active do you think she would be?
Jadyn played in 12 games last year and, at 5-11, averaged 5.3 rebounds. I can see her rebounding and fueling the fast break with her passes to our quick guards. I'm sure she has had some practice time lately. May take some time for her to catch up.

Schroeder71
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As I recall, Bush played quite well in the OOC games against lesser quality opponents. However, when conference play ensued, her PT diminished substantially. I thought that I had heard that her knee (or knees) were
a major hindrance to returning to last year's form. GO BEARS!
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