04-12-2013, 02:09 PM
Fitzgerald's article is out from behind the firewall now, and there are some interesting tea leaves to read. And no, I don't think there is anything new on Toni in there.
http://www.sfchronicle.com/collegesports...411342.php
The idea that 3 of next year's entering class could start before the season is over seems to be coming from Tara. She may be serious, or she may be trying to light a fire under the other players. I think both may be true.
As for posts, I think it is a safe bet that either Ally Beebe or Erica McCall will start in Jos's former slot. As for the wing slot, Kailee Johnson may be well suited to it. But if Beebe gets the 4, it is hard to see Tara not finding a way to start McCall somewhere. But anyway you cut it, that leaves Ruef and Greenfield and Bonnie Samuelson fighting for time with three new competitors. As if to emphasize the point, Tara says
As for guards, it gets interesting there too. Toni might be gone--my guess is that no one including Toni knows that yet. Amber seems to have a position locked up. But who will anyone step up to claim the Toni/Sara James 2 position? Sara might--she has been starting, after all. The article hints that it will be KarlieÂ
Samuelson--assuming Toni can't come back at full strength.
At point guard, Tara suggests that Lili Thompson may back up Amber, and keep Amber more rested. I noticed that lutely nothing was said about Jasmine or Alex. Of course, that could just be Fitz and not Tara.
There is a chance our starting team at the beginning of Pac 12 play could be dramatically different and dramatically younger. Here, in order, is how I think things might shake out if the youngsters develop as Tara hints they should.Â
Beginning of the year
5. Chiney/Picknell
4. Ruef/Beebe/McCall
3. Greenfield/Samuelson/Johnson
2. James/Camp/Green/K. Samuelson
1. Orrange/Thompson
End of the year
5. Chiney/Picknell
4. McCall/Beebe/Ruef
3. Johnson/Greenfield/B.Samuelson
2. K. Samuelson/James/Camp/Green
1. Orrange/Thompson
Tara often experiments by starting a frosh here and there. Sometimes, as with Toni, it works. Other times, as with Taylor and Jasmine they do not persist in a starting role. But most of the greatest Stanford players did start for four years, so usually Tara figures it out very early.
http://www.sfchronicle.com/collegesports...411342.php
The idea that 3 of next year's entering class could start before the season is over seems to be coming from Tara. She may be serious, or she may be trying to light a fire under the other players. I think both may be true.
As for posts, I think it is a safe bet that either Ally Beebe or Erica McCall will start in Jos's former slot. As for the wing slot, Kailee Johnson may be well suited to it. But if Beebe gets the 4, it is hard to see Tara not finding a way to start McCall somewhere. But anyway you cut it, that leaves Ruef and Greenfield and Bonnie Samuelson fighting for time with three new competitors. As if to emphasize the point, Tara says
Quote:"We need a lot of offseason improvement. We expect to be much more competitive."Assuming of course that Chiney's slot is set, then when you throw in Tess you have 6 posts competing for the 3 and 4 positions, and frankly neither Greenfield nor B. Samuelson nor Picknell have yet shown themselves able to lock up one of those positions. Ruef is a different matter, as the article pointed out that she played the end of the season on another stress fracture. Hard to know what she is capable of--how often have we really seen her healthy?
As for guards, it gets interesting there too. Toni might be gone--my guess is that no one including Toni knows that yet. Amber seems to have a position locked up. But who will anyone step up to claim the Toni/Sara James 2 position? Sara might--she has been starting, after all. The article hints that it will be KarlieÂ
Samuelson--assuming Toni can't come back at full strength.
Quote: "Guard Karlie Samuelson isn't as tall as her sister, Bonnie, but is a sharpshooter too and more athletic."Whenever I read "more athletic" I immediately think "potentially better defender."Â
At point guard, Tara suggests that Lili Thompson may back up Amber, and keep Amber more rested. I noticed that lutely nothing was said about Jasmine or Alex. Of course, that could just be Fitz and not Tara.
There is a chance our starting team at the beginning of Pac 12 play could be dramatically different and dramatically younger. Here, in order, is how I think things might shake out if the youngsters develop as Tara hints they should.Â
Beginning of the year
5. Chiney/Picknell
4. Ruef/Beebe/McCall
3. Greenfield/Samuelson/Johnson
2. James/Camp/Green/K. Samuelson
1. Orrange/Thompson
End of the year
5. Chiney/Picknell
4. McCall/Beebe/Ruef
3. Johnson/Greenfield/B.Samuelson
2. K. Samuelson/James/Camp/Green
1. Orrange/Thompson
Tara often experiments by starting a frosh here and there. Sometimes, as with Toni, it works. Other times, as with Taylor and Jasmine they do not persist in a starting role. But most of the greatest Stanford players did start for four years, so usually Tara figures it out very early.
