Last night's SRV/C-let game was more interesting than the final score (89-65 C-let) would suggest. More for the preview of next year than for the game itself.
SRV actually had a small lead after the first quarter. Strong outside shooting, plus junior point guard Paige Gerhart getting to the rim at will. Both those factors continued throughout the game.
However, the continuous feeds to C-let post, Ali Bamberger, were too debilitating. SRV had no answer for her size and strength. And when C-let guards Miller and Howie started to heat up, there was no stopping the spread in point differential.
But here's the thing. C-let has 6 seniors, who provided virtually all the size and all the minutes last night. Coach Morris kept them on the floor, even with a 20 point lead in the fourth, only pulling them when Coach Cristiano cleared his bench with less than two minutes to go. Kind of an indication that C-let doesn't place much faith in its underclassmen.
Not to say there's not talent there. I would have liked to see junior guards Holloway and Blackard get more floor time. But where's the size and outside shooting for next year? The C-let junior varsity team barely pulled out a 2 point win over SRV in the earlier match, and I didn't see anything there that looked ready for prime time.
SRV, Dublin, and Cal have a lot of underclassmen, even frosh, making significant contributions this season. Might be some long awaited wins on their horizons. Unless C-let has a miracle incoming class and/or a couple of big transfers lined up, I think this may be their last elite season for awhile.
SRV actually had a small lead after the first quarter. Strong outside shooting, plus junior point guard Paige Gerhart getting to the rim at will. Both those factors continued throughout the game.
However, the continuous feeds to C-let post, Ali Bamberger, were too debilitating. SRV had no answer for her size and strength. And when C-let guards Miller and Howie started to heat up, there was no stopping the spread in point differential.
But here's the thing. C-let has 6 seniors, who provided virtually all the size and all the minutes last night. Coach Morris kept them on the floor, even with a 20 point lead in the fourth, only pulling them when Coach Cristiano cleared his bench with less than two minutes to go. Kind of an indication that C-let doesn't place much faith in its underclassmen.
Not to say there's not talent there. I would have liked to see junior guards Holloway and Blackard get more floor time. But where's the size and outside shooting for next year? The C-let junior varsity team barely pulled out a 2 point win over SRV in the earlier match, and I didn't see anything there that looked ready for prime time.
SRV, Dublin, and Cal have a lot of underclassmen, even frosh, making significant contributions this season. Might be some long awaited wins on their horizons. Unless C-let has a miracle incoming class and/or a couple of big transfers lined up, I think this may be their last elite season for awhile.