[Maple Leaf]

Last year Boston was not the main problem.  We held her to 8/20, which I think is a respectable result against an elite talent like her.  Brink did get into foul trouble trying to guard her, and Prechtel did better. 

But we can't learn that much from last year's game.  Lexie had an amazing first half and went silent in the second half, but was our leading scorer.  (Like everyone, I loved Lexie, but she could be very streaky, as the two halves showed.)  She is gone.  Henderson was silent in the first half but went off in the second half for South Carolina and got them the win.  She is gone.

This year we have some question marks.  We know we can defend Boston--at least to a degree.  But who will defend Zia Cooke?  I think we are stuck, a bit, since neither Jump nor Jones is really the right kind of defender for Cooke.  Jump will probably get first crack at it, but it might well be that Cooke scores more than Boston in this game.

I do think that Iriafen will get a shot at defending Boston.  Iriafen has good technique and a long reach.  Tara may also rotate a double to front Boston, so that might help.  Last year Prechtel actually blocked Boston once, so there is that.  I think we can certainly rotate Betts into the lineup early and see if she can hold up.  Between Iriafen, Prechtel, and Betts we would have a lot of fouls to give.  But I think we need to keep Brink from trying to defend Boston.

Prechtel / Betts / Iriafen (on 6'5" Boston)
Brink (on 6'2" Saxton)
Jones (on 6'1" Beal)
Jump? (on 5'9" Cooke)
Emma-Nnopu (on 5'8" Johnson)

Also on my mind was that Staley went into last year's game not planning to press.  It was only after we had an amazing first half, shooting lights out and amassing an 18 point lead, that she decided she had nothing to lose and unleashed the press, which took its fateful toll.  This year she might well try it out early to see if we wilt again.  We've had a year to think about it, so I hope we are ready.

Unless Fran cannot go or is too limited by her hand, I would expect that she will be afforded the opportunity to defend Boston.  The questions that I have who will Boston have to defend?  And if fatigue will be factor in the battle of front lines of both teams.

[Maple Leaf]

Last year Boston was not the main problem.  We held her to 8/20, which I think is a respectable result against an elite talent like her.  Brink did get into foul trouble trying to guard her, and Prechtel did better. 

But we can't learn that much from last year's game.  Lexie had an amazing first half and went silent in the second half, but was our leading scorer.  (Like everyone, I loved Lexie, but she could be very streaky, as the two halves showed.)  She is gone.  Henderson was silent in the first half but went off in the second half for South Carolina and got them the win.  She is gone.

This year we have some question marks.  We know we can defend Boston--at least to a degree.  But who will defend Zia Cooke?  I think we are stuck, a bit, since neither Jump nor Jones is really the right kind of defender for Cooke.  Jump will probably get first crack at it, but it might well be that Cooke scores more than Boston in this game.

I do think that Iriafen will get a shot at defending Boston.  Iriafen has good technique and a long reach.  Tara may also rotate a double to front Boston, so that might help.  Last year Prechtel actually blocked Boston once, so there is that.  I think we can certainly rotate Betts into the lineup early and see if she can hold up.  Between Iriafen, Prechtel, and Betts we would have a lot of fouls to give.  But I think we need to keep Brink from trying to defend Boston.

Prechtel / Betts / Iriafen (on 6'5" Boston)
Brink (on 6'2" Saxton)
Jones (on 6'1" Beal)
Jump? (on 5'9" Cooke)
Emma-Nnopu (on 5'8" Johnson)

Also on my mind was that Staley went into last year's game not planning to press.  It was only after we had an amazing first half, shooting lights out and amassing an 18 point lead, that she decided she had nothing to lose and unleashed the press, which took its fateful toll.  This year she might well try it out early to see if we wilt again.  We've had a year to think about it, so I hope we are ready.

Unless Fran cannot go or is too limited by her hand, I would expect that she will be afforded the opportunity to defend Boston.  The questions that I have who will Boston have to defend?  And if fatigue will be factor in the battle of front lines of both teams.