[BillBradley]

Congrats to the Card on the Natty! You got it done, and you can call yourselves National Champions. So happy for all of the ladies!

Random game thoughts:
- After seeing Tara coach close games for years, I've concluded that she plays the odds with clock management and prioritizes it well above scoring. We got the ball with around 36 seconds left, which means if we run it all the way down, and don't even try to cut, penetrate, or do anything aggressive, the worst case is they'll have 6 seconds to score (which is where it ended up). But if we do get a shot up at the shot clock buzzer and it hits the rim, it's pretty much game over at that point. I think what she doesn't want is the other scenarios that could happen before the shot clock expires 1) Turnover and runout 2) Charge 3) Missed shot etc, etc. I've come to appreciate how she coaches down the stretch.
- What I don't understand (OMG!) is how we were somehow unable to exploit our advantage on the block. But then in the 4th, we FINALLY decide to go to Cam and Haley down inside, run some high-low action, and we score like 4 times. And then we don't go back to it! Maddening! 
- I think what happened to Ki is we ended up playing 3 teams in a row (Louisville, SC, Zona) where she had supreme defenders on her plus tough help defense and she didn't have an athletic advantage. To her credit though, she didn't jack up a lot of really bad shots in tonight's game. 2-6 isn't anything to brag about, but it's wayyy better than 4-17 or something like that. Her self-control very much helped us win the game. 
- How about Alyssa Jerome? 4 boards and an assist in 6 minutes off the bench. Awesome contribution.
- Anna really worked her tail off. Holding Aari to 5-20 was probably the top reason we won. Well done Anna!
- Another nice performance from Ashten. She really finished the season strong. 
- Haley deserved the MOP. She raised the level of her play when we needed it most. Her and-one down the stretch was sick. I'm excited to see her continue to develop (especially the 3-point shot).
- Cam had a nice game, minus a couple of silly fouls. And even though the box score shows 3 blocks (I could swear there were more!), there were countless plays where she got her hands on balls or altered shots, including the final play of the game. If she can put in some Hanna Jump-like offseason work on her body, she could be dominant with her complete package of skills and talent. She could be the next Candace Parker, and that lady could ball. 

Congrats again to the team and the future is looking bright!

[BillBradley]

Congrats to the Card on the Natty! You got it done, and you can call yourselves National Champions. So happy for all of the ladies!

Random game thoughts:
- After seeing Tara coach close games for years, I've concluded that she plays the odds with clock management and prioritizes it well above scoring. We got the ball with around 36 seconds left, which means if we run it all the way down, and don't even try to cut, penetrate, or do anything aggressive, the worst case is they'll have 6 seconds to score (which is where it ended up). But if we do get a shot up at the shot clock buzzer and it hits the rim, it's pretty much game over at that point. I think what she doesn't want is the other scenarios that could happen before the shot clock expires 1) Turnover and runout 2) Charge 3) Missed shot etc, etc. I've come to appreciate how she coaches down the stretch.
- What I don't understand (OMG!) is how we were somehow unable to exploit our advantage on the block. But then in the 4th, we FINALLY decide to go to Cam and Haley down inside, run some high-low action, and we score like 4 times. And then we don't go back to it! Maddening! 
- I think what happened to Ki is we ended up playing 3 teams in a row (Louisville, SC, Zona) where she had supreme defenders on her plus tough help defense and she didn't have an athletic advantage. To her credit though, she didn't jack up a lot of really bad shots in tonight's game. 2-6 isn't anything to brag about, but it's wayyy better than 4-17 or something like that. Her self-control very much helped us win the game. 
- How about Alyssa Jerome? 4 boards and an assist in 6 minutes off the bench. Awesome contribution.
- Anna really worked her tail off. Holding Aari to 5-20 was probably the top reason we won. Well done Anna!
- Another nice performance from Ashten. She really finished the season strong. 
- Haley deserved the MOP. She raised the level of her play when we needed it most. Her and-one down the stretch was sick. I'm excited to see her continue to develop (especially the 3-point shot).
- Cam had a nice game, minus a couple of silly fouls. And even though the box score shows 3 blocks (I could swear there were more!), there were countless plays where she got her hands on balls or altered shots, including the final play of the game. If she can put in some Hanna Jump-like offseason work on her body, she could be dominant with her complete package of skills and talent. She could be the next Candace Parker, and that lady could ball. 

Congrats again to the team and the future is looking bright!