[freddot5]

The 21-22 season will culminate in the 25th Anniversary of (in my opinion) of the most difficult loss I ever witnessed as a follower of Stanford Women's Basketball. Only as this season (with all of the positive expectations) has started to come closer did my thoughts return to those vaunted days of 1996-97. I was in Row M behind the Stanford bench for that game and had never watched the video until a few weeks ago. For those who are interested I am including a low quality YouTube link. The game was very physical and afterward coming across Kate Starbird's parents outside the area, Kate's Mother's only comment was that she was glad Kate hadn't gotten injured. We all were too numb to have thought about anything else. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BgWiUh_27u8

Also, I vaguely remembered a Sports Illustrated article that had appeared prior to the tournament about Jamila Wideman. I recalled the impact of the writing as much as the content. I found a copy and am including a link. Hopefully, it is accessible. 

https://vault.si.com/vault/1997/03/17/ou...ssing-gift

Jamila (again in my opinion) was the best point guard Stanford has ever had (yes better than Jennifer Azzi and others) and the 1997-98 team one of the best. Unfortunately, the referees hadn't realized that tall women can actually block shots and not foul, but that's a topic for another conversation.

[freddot5]

The 21-22 season will culminate in the 25th Anniversary of (in my opinion) of the most difficult loss I ever witnessed as a follower of Stanford Women's Basketball. Only as this season (with all of the positive expectations) has started to come closer did my thoughts return to those vaunted days of 1996-97. I was in Row M behind the Stanford bench for that game and had never watched the video until a few weeks ago. For those who are interested I am including a low quality YouTube link. The game was very physical and afterward coming across Kate Starbird's parents outside the area, Kate's Mother's only comment was that she was glad Kate hadn't gotten injured. We all were too numb to have thought about anything else. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BgWiUh_27u8

Also, I vaguely remembered a Sports Illustrated article that had appeared prior to the tournament about Jamila Wideman. I recalled the impact of the writing as much as the content. I found a copy and am including a link. Hopefully, it is accessible. 

https://vault.si.com/vault/1997/03/17/ou...ssing-gift

Jamila (again in my opinion) was the best point guard Stanford has ever had (yes better than Jennifer Azzi and others) and the 1997-98 team one of the best. Unfortunately, the referees hadn't realized that tall women can actually block shots and not foul, but that's a topic for another conversation.

[BostonCard]

I remember exactly where I was that game.  I had been skiing and watched the game back in the house I was staying.  Pretty rough.
Of course, the next year I went skiing during the men's elite eight, and witnessed the win against Rhode Island from the lodge, so things all work out in the end.

BC

[BostonCard]

I remember exactly where I was that game.  I had been skiing and watched the game back in the house I was staying.  Pretty rough.
Of course, the next year I went skiing during the men's elite eight, and witnessed the win against Rhode Island from the lodge, so things all work out in the end.

BC

[Baez87]

Just read the SI article on Jamila. It was a deep descent into the soul of another human being. A beautiful marriage of a deeply passionate young woman—a truly talented basketball player, but first a richly complex human being who transformed her tormented family history onto the court; and a journalist who had the compassion and insight to delve into his subject, not avoiding her tortured feelings, but blending them with her fierce competitiveness on the court.
I would venture to say that this article, it’s more like a short story, would serve everyone of us fans in understanding that basketball players don’t take the court, human beings do. Each has a story, a passion for life, a richness of character that gets camouflaged and made invisible by the uniform. I submit that to truly understand the game, we must make some attempt to understand the woman playing the game. And this article is one of the best example of bridging player and human being that I have read.
It shouldn’t be passed over as just another link that too little time disallows. Thank you so much for sharing it!

[Baez87]

Just read the SI article on Jamila. It was a deep descent into the soul of another human being. A beautiful marriage of a deeply passionate young woman—a truly talented basketball player, but first a richly complex human being who transformed her tormented family history onto the court; and a journalist who had the compassion and insight to delve into his subject, not avoiding her tortured feelings, but blending them with her fierce competitiveness on the court.
I would venture to say that this article, it’s more like a short story, would serve everyone of us fans in understanding that basketball players don’t take the court, human beings do. Each has a story, a passion for life, a richness of character that gets camouflaged and made invisible by the uniform. I submit that to truly understand the game, we must make some attempt to understand the woman playing the game. And this article is one of the best example of bridging player and human being that I have read.
It shouldn’t be passed over as just another link that too little time disallows. Thank you so much for sharing it!

[teejers1]

The 21-22 season will culminate in the 25th Anniversary of (in my opinion) of the most difficult loss I ever witnessed as a follower of Stanford Women's Basketball. Only as this season (with all of the positive expectations) has started to come closer did my thoughts return to those vaunted days of 1997-98. I was in Row M behind the Stanford bench for that game and had never watched the video until a few weeks ago. For those who are interested I am including a low quality YouTube link. The game was very physical and afterward coming across Kate Starbird's parents outside the area, Kate's Mother's only comment was that she was glad Kate hadn't gotten injured. We all were too numb to have thought about anything else. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BgWiUh_27u8

Also, I vaguely remembered a Sports Illustrated article that had appeared prior to the tournament about Jamila Wideman. I recalled the impact of the writing as much as the content. I found a copy and am including a link. Hopefully, it is accessible. 

https://vault.si.com/vault/1997/03/17/ou...ssing-gift

Jamila (again in my opinion) was the best point guard Stanford has ever had (yes better than Jennifer Azzi and others) and the 1997-98 team one of the best. Unfortunately, the referees hadn't realized that tall women can actually block shots and not foul, but that's a topic for another conversation.

Announcers properly noted that officials did a 180 when it came to blowing the whistles between 1H and 2H (which is horrible).  “You could run over people in the first half without a foul being called and now they’re calling touch fouls.”

The 5th foul on the ODU big was a bad call;
The 4th foul (charge) on Folkl was a bad call;
The foul that led to ODUs first 1 and 1 was a bad call (barely any contact by Smith 30 feet away from hoop);
The block against Jamila was close (we got the and-1);
The fifth foul on Folkl was atrocious;
The foul on Scott’s block was looked bad, too; and
The fourth foul on Scott dubious, but the ODU player missed front end of 1 and 1 (which allowed Stanford to tie at end of regulation).

Charmin Smith – so clutch on those FTs late in regulation.

Stanford had their chances at end of OT - and were aided by ODU's missed FTs.

Helluva game, btw.

And Folkl was so freaking good: 18 points on 8-8 shooting and 10 boards (she must have been the most efficient scorer in Stanford women’s hoops history).  Jamila was nails in 2H and down the stretch.  And Starbird carried the team in 1H (and had a great drive and dish in OT).

One add: upon re-watch, the play that really hurt was when ODU had the ball and called a timeout with about 6-7 seconds left on the shot clock after a possession was going nowhere. They inbounded the ball near midcourt in ODU's frontcourt and Panecheiro (sp?) took the ball near half court left and dribbled to the top and down the right side of lane for a layup. That should NOT have been that easy a bucket for ODU at a critical juncture near end of regulation. But if Folks isn't fouled out, I think Stanford holds on for the W. That was a terrific team.

[teejers1]

The 21-22 season will culminate in the 25th Anniversary of (in my opinion) of the most difficult loss I ever witnessed as a follower of Stanford Women's Basketball. Only as this season (with all of the positive expectations) has started to come closer did my thoughts return to those vaunted days of 1997-98. I was in Row M behind the Stanford bench for that game and had never watched the video until a few weeks ago. For those who are interested I am including a low quality YouTube link. The game was very physical and afterward coming across Kate Starbird's parents outside the area, Kate's Mother's only comment was that she was glad Kate hadn't gotten injured. We all were too numb to have thought about anything else. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BgWiUh_27u8

Also, I vaguely remembered a Sports Illustrated article that had appeared prior to the tournament about Jamila Wideman. I recalled the impact of the writing as much as the content. I found a copy and am including a link. Hopefully, it is accessible. 

https://vault.si.com/vault/1997/03/17/ou...ssing-gift

Jamila (again in my opinion) was the best point guard Stanford has ever had (yes better than Jennifer Azzi and others) and the 1997-98 team one of the best. Unfortunately, the referees hadn't realized that tall women can actually block shots and not foul, but that's a topic for another conversation.

Announcers properly noted that officials did a 180 when it came to blowing the whistles between 1H and 2H (which is horrible).  “You could run over people in the first half without a foul being called and now they’re calling touch fouls.”

The 5th foul on the ODU big was a bad call;
The 4th foul (charge) on Folkl was a bad call;
The foul that led to ODUs first 1 and 1 was a bad call (barely any contact by Smith 30 feet away from hoop);
The block against Jamila was close (we got the and-1);
The fifth foul on Folkl was atrocious;
The foul on Scott’s block was looked bad, too; and
The fourth foul on Scott dubious, but the ODU player missed front end of 1 and 1 (which allowed Stanford to tie at end of regulation).

Charmin Smith – so clutch on those FTs late in regulation.

Stanford had their chances at end of OT - and were aided by ODU's missed FTs.

Helluva game, btw.

And Folkl was so freaking good: 18 points on 8-8 shooting and 10 boards (she must have been the most efficient scorer in Stanford women’s hoops history).  Jamila was nails in 2H and down the stretch.  And Starbird carried the team in 1H (and had a great drive and dish in OT).

One add: upon re-watch, the play that really hurt was when ODU had the ball and called a timeout with about 6-7 seconds left on the shot clock after a possession was going nowhere. They inbounded the ball near midcourt in ODU's frontcourt and Panecheiro (sp?) took the ball near half court left and dribbled to the top and down the right side of lane for a layup. That should NOT have been that easy a bucket for ODU at a critical juncture near end of regulation. But if Folks isn't fouled out, I think Stanford holds on for the W. That was a terrific team.

[joemontes]

The 21-22 season will culminate in the 25th Anniversary of (in my opinion) of the most difficult loss I ever witnessed as a follower of Stanford Women's Basketball. Only as this season (with all of the positive expectations) has started to come closer did my thoughts return to those vaunted days of 1997-98. I was in Row M behind the Stanford bench for that game and had never watched the video until a few weeks ago. For those who are interested I am including a low quality YouTube link. The game was very physical and afterward coming across Kate Starbird's parents outside the area, Kate's Mother's only comment was that she was glad Kate hadn't gotten injured. We all were too numb to have thought about anything else. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BgWiUh_27u8

Also, I vaguely remembered a Sports Illustrated article that had appeared prior to the tournament about Jamila Wideman. I recalled the impact of the writing as much as the content. I found a copy and am including a link. Hopefully, it is accessible. 

https://vault.si.com/vault/1997/03/17/ou...ssing-gift

Jamila (again in my opinion) was the best point guard Stanford has ever had (yes better than Jennifer Azzi and others) and the 1997-98 team one of the best. Unfortunately, the referees hadn't realized that tall women can actually block shots and not foul, but that's a topic for another conversation.

Actually, that's the 1996-1997 season, and I remember watching that game, then once in a while watching the youtube replay.

And, YES!  I also consider:

-  that STARBIRD-WIDEMAN starting guard tandem as the best (with the AZZI-HENNING as a close 2nd) in Stanford WBB history, responsible for 3 consecutive Final Fours from 1995-1997

and 

-  that FOLKL/NYGAARD/SCOTT/MULITAOUPELE frontline to be 2nd only to a 1st place tie between (1) the WHITING/STEVENS/ZEILSTRA trio of Stanford's 1st championship team from 1990 and their 1991 Final Four team, and (2) the combined APPEL/PEDERSEN/HARMON/Nneka OGWUMIKE/Chiney OGWUMIKE/TINKLE frontline group responsible for Stanford's 5 consecutive Final Four teams from 2008-2012

[joemontes]

The 21-22 season will culminate in the 25th Anniversary of (in my opinion) of the most difficult loss I ever witnessed as a follower of Stanford Women's Basketball. Only as this season (with all of the positive expectations) has started to come closer did my thoughts return to those vaunted days of 1997-98. I was in Row M behind the Stanford bench for that game and had never watched the video until a few weeks ago. For those who are interested I am including a low quality YouTube link. The game was very physical and afterward coming across Kate Starbird's parents outside the area, Kate's Mother's only comment was that she was glad Kate hadn't gotten injured. We all were too numb to have thought about anything else. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BgWiUh_27u8

Also, I vaguely remembered a Sports Illustrated article that had appeared prior to the tournament about Jamila Wideman. I recalled the impact of the writing as much as the content. I found a copy and am including a link. Hopefully, it is accessible. 

https://vault.si.com/vault/1997/03/17/ou...ssing-gift

Jamila (again in my opinion) was the best point guard Stanford has ever had (yes better than Jennifer Azzi and others) and the 1997-98 team one of the best. Unfortunately, the referees hadn't realized that tall women can actually block shots and not foul, but that's a topic for another conversation.

Actually, that's the 1996-1997 season, and I remember watching that game, then once in a while watching the youtube replay.

And, YES!  I also consider:

-  that STARBIRD-WIDEMAN starting guard tandem as the best (with the AZZI-HENNING as a close 2nd) in Stanford WBB history, responsible for 3 consecutive Final Fours from 1995-1997

and 

-  that FOLKL/NYGAARD/SCOTT/MULITAOUPELE frontline to be 2nd only to a 1st place tie between (1) the WHITING/STEVENS/ZEILSTRA trio of Stanford's 1st championship team from 1990 and their 1991 Final Four team, and (2) the combined APPEL/PEDERSEN/HARMON/Nneka OGWUMIKE/Chiney OGWUMIKE/TINKLE frontline group responsible for Stanford's 5 consecutive Final Four teams from 2008-2012

[76lsjumb]

Man, that's painful to watch again, especially Wideman's last shot in OT. For over 20 years, my most vivid recollection of that game has been thinking "if only, Jamila had stood her ground and put up the 3 without moving to the side, she would have, absolutely without question, drawn 3 free throws and, most likely, have made at least 1 to tie, if not 2 to win."

In watching it now, though, I had another thought:  our last possession/missed putback then and South Carolina's last possession/missed putback this year were almost mirror images. 

Lose some, win some, I guess...

[76lsjumb]

Man, that's painful to watch again, especially Wideman's last shot in OT. For over 20 years, my most vivid recollection of that game has been thinking "if only, Jamila had stood her ground and put up the 3 without moving to the side, she would have, absolutely without question, drawn 3 free throws and, most likely, have made at least 1 to tie, if not 2 to win."

In watching it now, though, I had another thought:  our last possession/missed putback then and South Carolina's last possession/missed putback this year were almost mirror images. 

Lose some, win some, I guess...

[crackpot]

Just started a new job, so was already queasy about leaving early to catch the game. Friend with whom we shared a row of seats had been in labor all day. My nausea got so bad I had to watch lying down. Meanwhile, friend-in-labor had the game on in the delivery room, and was inspired by Charmin's FTs, later telling me, "If Charmin can handle that, I can handle this!" Baby born shortly thereafter, but his birthday is always a painful reminder of this travesty.

[crackpot]

Just started a new job, so was already queasy about leaving early to catch the game. Friend with whom we shared a row of seats had been in labor all day. My nausea got so bad I had to watch lying down. Meanwhile, friend-in-labor had the game on in the delivery room, and was inspired by Charmin's FTs, later telling me, "If Charmin can handle that, I can handle this!" Baby born shortly thereafter, but his birthday is always a painful reminder of this travesty.

[freddot5]

The 21-22 season will culminate in the 25th Anniversary of (in my opinion) of the most difficult loss I ever witnessed as a follower of Stanford Women's Basketball. Only as this season (with all of the positive expectations) has started to come closer did my thoughts return to those vaunted days of 1997-98. I was in Row M behind the Stanford bench for that game and had never watched the video until a few weeks ago. For those who are interested I am including a low quality YouTube link. The game was very physical and afterward coming across Kate Starbird's parents outside the area, Kate's Mother's only comment was that she was glad Kate hadn't gotten injured. We all were too numb to have thought about anything else. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BgWiUh_27u8

Also, I vaguely remembered a Sports Illustrated article that had appeared prior to the tournament about Jamila Wideman. I recalled the impact of the writing as much as the content. I found a copy and am including a link. Hopefully, it is accessible. 

https://vault.si.com/vault/1997/03/17/ou...ssing-gift

Jamila (again in my opinion) was the best point guard Stanford has ever had (yes better than Jennifer Azzi and others) and the 1997-98 team one of the best. Unfortunately, the referees hadn't realized that tall women can actually block shots and not foul, but that's a topic for another conversation.

Actually, that's the 1996-1997 season, and I remember watching that game, then once in a while watching the youtube replay.

And, YES!  I also consider:

-  that STARBIRD-WIDEMAN starting guard tandem as the best (with the AZZI-HENNING as a close 2nd) in Stanford WBB history, responsible for 3 consecutive Final Fours from 1995-1997

and 

-  that FOLKL/NYGAARD/SCOTT/MULITAOUPELE frontline to be 2nd only to a 1st place tie between (1) the WHITING/STEVENS/ZEILSTRA trio of Stanford's 1st championship team from 1990 and their 1991 Final Four team, and (2) the combined APPEL/PEDERSEN/HARMON/Nneka OGWUMIKE/Chiney OGWUMIKE/TINKLE frontline group responsible for Stanford's 5 consecutive Final Four teams from 2008-2012

Yes it was the 1996-97 season. Typing two quickly. Thanks for noticing.

[freddot5]

The 21-22 season will culminate in the 25th Anniversary of (in my opinion) of the most difficult loss I ever witnessed as a follower of Stanford Women's Basketball. Only as this season (with all of the positive expectations) has started to come closer did my thoughts return to those vaunted days of 1997-98. I was in Row M behind the Stanford bench for that game and had never watched the video until a few weeks ago. For those who are interested I am including a low quality YouTube link. The game was very physical and afterward coming across Kate Starbird's parents outside the area, Kate's Mother's only comment was that she was glad Kate hadn't gotten injured. We all were too numb to have thought about anything else. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BgWiUh_27u8

Also, I vaguely remembered a Sports Illustrated article that had appeared prior to the tournament about Jamila Wideman. I recalled the impact of the writing as much as the content. I found a copy and am including a link. Hopefully, it is accessible. 

https://vault.si.com/vault/1997/03/17/ou...ssing-gift

Jamila (again in my opinion) was the best point guard Stanford has ever had (yes better than Jennifer Azzi and others) and the 1997-98 team one of the best. Unfortunately, the referees hadn't realized that tall women can actually block shots and not foul, but that's a topic for another conversation.

Actually, that's the 1996-1997 season, and I remember watching that game, then once in a while watching the youtube replay.

And, YES!  I also consider:

-  that STARBIRD-WIDEMAN starting guard tandem as the best (with the AZZI-HENNING as a close 2nd) in Stanford WBB history, responsible for 3 consecutive Final Fours from 1995-1997

and 

-  that FOLKL/NYGAARD/SCOTT/MULITAOUPELE frontline to be 2nd only to a 1st place tie between (1) the WHITING/STEVENS/ZEILSTRA trio of Stanford's 1st championship team from 1990 and their 1991 Final Four team, and (2) the combined APPEL/PEDERSEN/HARMON/Nneka OGWUMIKE/Chiney OGWUMIKE/TINKLE frontline group responsible for Stanford's 5 consecutive Final Four teams from 2008-2012

Yes it was the 1996-97 season. Typing two quickly. Thanks for noticing.

[jonnyss]

Man, that's painful to watch again, especially Wideman's last shot in OT. For over 20 years, my most vivid recollection of that game has been thinking "if only, Jamila had stood her ground and put up the 3 without moving to the side, she would have, absolutely without question, drawn 3 free throws and, most likely, have made at least 1 to tie, if not 2 to win."

In watching it now, though, I had another thought:  our last possession/missed putback then and South Carolina's last possession/missed putback this year were almost mirror images. 

Lose some, win some, I guess...

i'm with you in thinking many times, "if only jamila had stood her ground." not just thinking - i picture the moment, running it through as it actually happened and how i wish it had happened. clarice machanguana races out from the post, straight at jamila, hands in the air, and jamila steps to the right...or she doesn't

[jonnyss]

Man, that's painful to watch again, especially Wideman's last shot in OT. For over 20 years, my most vivid recollection of that game has been thinking "if only, Jamila had stood her ground and put up the 3 without moving to the side, she would have, absolutely without question, drawn 3 free throws and, most likely, have made at least 1 to tie, if not 2 to win."

In watching it now, though, I had another thought:  our last possession/missed putback then and South Carolina's last possession/missed putback this year were almost mirror images. 

Lose some, win some, I guess...

i'm with you in thinking many times, "if only jamila had stood her ground." not just thinking - i picture the moment, running it through as it actually happened and how i wish it had happened. clarice machanguana races out from the post, straight at jamila, hands in the air, and jamila steps to the right...or she doesn't