I'll attempt a quick summary of where we are.
Going into the season, are two biggest concerns at the individual player level were:
1) Who would be the backup PG or alternate PG(s) which would allow Haley to roam more freely without PG responsibilities? On a related note, would we have anyone to defend quick perimeter players?
2) What sort of backcourt scoring options would we have other than Hannah (and Haley)? Would we have other reliable 3-point shooters who were more perimeter players than posts (i.e., excluding Ashten)?
As for answers, we could not possibly have expected to find the abundance of riches we have seen so far. At PG, Talana has been called "the best freshman PG I has ever had at Stanford" by Tara and has had one 11-0 A/TO game and another 10-0 game (the scrimmage). Better yet, both Indya and Jazzy have shown the ability to hold down the PG position, if needed. In terms of perimeter defense, Agnes continues to up her game in this department. Indya has proven to be very quick and disruptive, while Telana has also been very solid. Both are ahead of any reasonable projection at this stage of their career. Also, Hannah has improved her perimeter defense and Elena has been a revelation on defense -- very disruptive and aggressive. So for #1 we are way above any reasonable expectations and hovering near the best case scenario.
For the second question, which deals with perimeter scoring, Indya has proven to be a very effective slasher and a dangerous 3-point threat as well. The same can be said for Elena, whose 3-pt shot is falling in such a manner as to nicely complement her slashing skills. Indya is very quick and Elena combines size with surprising quickness. As for Talana's offense, I think she can turn it on and off as needed, as the scrimmage showed. She has a nice 3-point stroke and she is not afraid to shoot. Additionally, Jazzy has shown off her deep range and ability to get to the hoop. As for Agnes, he offense has not shown well yet, but we know she can get to the hoop and hit an open three. It is too early to tell if she made any significant strides with either skill in the off season. Again, we are way ahead of any reasonable expectations and at or near any best case scenario.
Best of all...these are all very young players who we should expect to show meaningful improvement during the season. Granted, the competition has not been top-notch as of yet, but there is every reason to be optimistic about our PGs and SGs/wings.
Going into the season, are two biggest concerns at the individual player level were:
1) Who would be the backup PG or alternate PG(s) which would allow Haley to roam more freely without PG responsibilities? On a related note, would we have anyone to defend quick perimeter players?
2) What sort of backcourt scoring options would we have other than Hannah (and Haley)? Would we have other reliable 3-point shooters who were more perimeter players than posts (i.e., excluding Ashten)?
As for answers, we could not possibly have expected to find the abundance of riches we have seen so far. At PG, Talana has been called "the best freshman PG I has ever had at Stanford" by Tara and has had one 11-0 A/TO game and another 10-0 game (the scrimmage). Better yet, both Indya and Jazzy have shown the ability to hold down the PG position, if needed. In terms of perimeter defense, Agnes continues to up her game in this department. Indya has proven to be very quick and disruptive, while Telana has also been very solid. Both are ahead of any reasonable projection at this stage of their career. Also, Hannah has improved her perimeter defense and Elena has been a revelation on defense -- very disruptive and aggressive. So for #1 we are way above any reasonable expectations and hovering near the best case scenario.
For the second question, which deals with perimeter scoring, Indya has proven to be a very effective slasher and a dangerous 3-point threat as well. The same can be said for Elena, whose 3-pt shot is falling in such a manner as to nicely complement her slashing skills. Indya is very quick and Elena combines size with surprising quickness. As for Talana's offense, I think she can turn it on and off as needed, as the scrimmage showed. She has a nice 3-point stroke and she is not afraid to shoot. Additionally, Jazzy has shown off her deep range and ability to get to the hoop. As for Agnes, he offense has not shown well yet, but we know she can get to the hoop and hit an open three. It is too early to tell if she made any significant strides with either skill in the off season. Again, we are way ahead of any reasonable expectations and at or near any best case scenario.
Best of all...these are all very young players who we should expect to show meaningful improvement during the season. Granted, the competition has not been top-notch as of yet, but there is every reason to be optimistic about our PGs and SGs/wings.