Photo by AP
Jones and Brink: Leadership and Dominance
The number two ranked team in the country, Stanford, had a road game against the number eight team, UCLA, at Pauley Pavilion. UCLA was the last Pac-12 team to defeat the Card -- in January 2021. The Bruins hoped to do it again. They learned that it’s hard to beat a deep and talented team led by two All Americans.
The game was relatively even in the first half with six ties and ten lead changes. No team led by more than five points, and each team had a lead of five at some point. The first quarter ended with Stanford up by one and the half ended in a tie.
What was most distressing to Stanford fans (and apparently coaches as well) was that the team seemed flat. Stanford's normal smooth, high energy, movement-oriented offense seemed off. A team that usually passes up a good shot to get a great shot was taking too many less than great shots. In her brief half time media interview on the Pac-12 network Coach Vanderveer said the team wasn't "doing what they need to do" on offense or defense. It is a testament to the talent on Stanford's roster that, despite not playing well, they were tied with a team ranked #8 in the country. Stanford's defense held UCLA to 32 points in the first half -- but Stanford's usually potent offense had only scored 32 points.
A Better Second Half
It was clear that Tara got the team's attention at halftime. The CARD came out strong in the 3rd -- with the ball moving. Stanford's first three baskets were all facilitated by assists. The defense was also motivated; UCLA had only one basket in the first 3:25 of the second half. Stanford took a seven-point lead -- the game's largest to that point. That lead eventually stretched to ten -- but with Brink on the bench due to her third foul, UCLA was able to slow the CARD offense. At the end of the 3rd, Stanford's lead was down to two points.
Stanford shifted into 4th gear for the 4th quarter, putting away a feisty UCLA team 72 -59 with a dominating performance in the quarter. While the 21 points scored by the CARD in the 4th was the team's highest total, it was the defense that was inspired. UCLA's coach said coming out for the second half that she thought her team should drive to the basket more. Cameron Brink demonstrated why that was a bad idea. She was a beast. Cam had six blocks in the quarter -- matching what had been her career high for a game in one quarter. (She finished with 7.) Brink also had a "steal" in the paint that could have been scored as a block. Stanford led by 17 with two minutes left in the game. Cam’s paint dominance was supported by the inspired defense of Agnes Emma-Nnopu. Agnes demonstrated the defensive intensity that earned her a starting role early in the season.
The crowd at Pauley was full of WNBA coaches and scouts. They saw Haley Jones demonstrate the mix of skills, will, and leadership that have some basketball observers predicting that Jones could be the top draft pick in this year's WNBA draft. Haley's stat line: 16 points, 12 rebounds, and 6 assists. They saw Cameron Brink delivering a monster performance. Cam's stat line: 12 points, 11 rebounds, 7 blocks, 2 assists, and a steal! But although Jones and Brink were the stars, this was a team win. Eight players not named Brink or Jones scored. Iriafen and Emma-Nnopu had nine points, Lepolo and Jump had eight. The success of Leopoldo and Emma-Nnopu from behind the arc was an important factor in the CARD’s victory. Although Talana may not see herself as the team’s main offensive weapon, it is clear that Stanford plays better when she is willing to take her shots when the defense gives them to her. The same is true for Emma-Nnopu. Rebounding was another team strength. Ten players grabbed rebounds as Stanford dominated the boards, 48 to 31.
Questions
1. Who is Stanford's MVP?
On some teams it is crystal clear who is the team's star. For the 2022-23 Cardinal, not so much. It's clear that Haley Jones and Cameron Brink are the teams two brightest stars, and that they complement each other's play -- but choosing one over the other is a difficult task.
To me, Haley is the team's leader. It's not just her stats, although she is at or near the top in every category on the stat sheet. It's not just her amazing skill set -- I mean, how many players can make the passes Haley makes from her knees or the shots she makes while falling to the floor!?! It's that she LEADS this team. She keeps them focused and she keeps them loose. If I were a WNBA General Manager, Haley Jones would be my first pick in the draft. She was the number one player in the country her senior year in high school and four years of being coached by Tara Vanderveer has only made her better.
Cameron is the team's dominator! She scores, she rebounds, and she protects the paint -- blocking and altering shots at an incredible level. Her body control and timing are a thing of beauty. Cameron reminds me of Aja Wilson -- I look forward to seeing them square off in the WNBA for many years. But, for now I "just" see Cameron giving the CARD a legitimate shot at another National Championship trophy.
So, which one is the team's MVP? I don't know -- it's like choosing between sunrise or sunset, they are different and both fabulous. I think I'll just enjoy the privilege of watching these two amazing athletes lead this talented team.
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