KAKALA SCORES 11, EVANS 4 IN ALL-AMERICAN GAME
-- Don't mess with Texas. Rellah Boothe and Chasity Patterson led the East in scoring and both are headed to Texas. Boothe was particularly impressive in dropping several consecutive threes to get the East back into the contest and force the extra three minutes.
-- Kakala a balla'. Loretta turned in a strong performance with 11 points (on 5-6 shooting), six rebounds and a couple of steals in her 15 minutes of action. She goes to the rim with power and showed some effective defense against the East front liners.
-- Evans a distributor. Dana had just four points in her 13 minutes but ran the offense when she was on the court and primarily set up Boothe and Megan Walker's scoring efforts. She did show a nice pull up jumper and the ability to run the court. Unlike a lot of all-star games, both the squads were putting an active effort into playing defense. Evans had her hands full with trying to stop Michaela Onyenwere and Evina Westbrook...giving up a decided height advantage...but acquitted herself well in her efforts. Certainly not her best performance but...she defends well, doesn't give an opposing guard a lot of room to work with and we know she's a scorer.
Kakala was quite impressive and drew several rave reviews and comments from the announcing crew. She has impressive hands and footwork. Her put-back shot is smooth and soft and she isn't afraid to position herself for rebounding...mix it up inside, if you will, with the opposing bigs.
An observer close to the Cardinal program approves:
"She (Kaklala) did well. I'm excited for both."
Get ready, CardNation. They're headed your way!
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SOFTBALL WINS BORDER BATTLE OVER INDIANA 2-1
The two runs were all Maryssa Becker needed to get her 15th win of the season. Becker allowed just two hits in seven innings of circle duty.
Coach Sandy Pearsall was pleased with Pufahl's production:
"When we got some runners on, we were able to do something. I thought Nicole did a great job at that bat. She was calm in there, she took the pitches she needed to take and then she capitalized on it. She didn't try to do too much, she just did what she needed to do. A base hit up the middle that easily scored two runs for us.
Indiana used two singles and a fielder's choice to plate their only run in the third. After that, Becker was in control...allowing no further hits and getting five strikeouts and allowing no walks. The infield roulette continued last night for Louisville. Alison "Mike" Szydlowski drew the start at third and Jamie Soles got the nod at second. The combination, with Tiarra Sanabria at first and Ferguson at short was effective -- the Cards had no errors in the contest.
Louisville (20-5) faces Notre Dame next. The two ACC schools start a three game series on Saturday, April 1st at Ulmer Stadium. First pitch is noon.
paulie
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A columnist on the ESPN website listed six players of note...Boothe, Patterson, Walker, Kakala and two others whom I don't recall (and I'm too lazy to go back and find the article). He said that Kakala was the most efficient player out there.
ReplyDeleteKakala (and Evans) will be great additions to the program. Let's zero in on Kakala. Her skills and aggressiveness are exactly what the Cards inside game needs. I just wish she was 6'5" or taller. She's right in that height range with Bionca and Sam who are all battling to be backups to Myisha, Ciera and Kylee.
ReplyDeleteI hope she doesn't get lost in the shuffle. I'd be willing to take a chance on her and maybe start her with Evans, Myisha, Mariya and Asia.
I know, a lot of time to sort all that out. She has that Shawnta Dyer/Asia Taylor mentality, though, where getting the ball and getting it to a scorer or going back up strong is job #1.
In short, don't screw this one up, Walz.
Not sure if Kakala is ready for a starting role yet at UofL. The summer will show that or not. I do like her mix it up style, though, and can see her trying to steal someone's job.
DeletePaulie
I don't think anyone has to worry about Walz "screwing" anything up. Best coach out there.
DeleteNick O.
I agree with you Paulie. When possible, give the incoming players a break from being "starters" and adding more stress when they are still adjusting to playing the college game...in fact, still adjusting to being in college.
DeleteBoth players will be great additions, but neither will start for us next year, based on what I saw and how Walz coaches. It will be a transition, adjust to the speed, learning year for both, which is actually a good thing.
ReplyDeleteYeah, K. That's the thing. It takes most freshmen a while to learn Walzology. Ciera did start last year (by necessity) and I've have to give her the edge right now at the "5"...but there's a lot of time ahead to sort that out.
DeletePaulie
I agree Paulie Ciera will start @ the five next season
DeleteSplitting time with Kylee & Bionca.
MLW
Boy did Littleton look a bit large out there for such a prolific scorer. So many highly rated point guards in 2017 class. I think Dangerfield and Slocum are better points than any in this class. Patterson may be the exception. Evans will take a while but she could be pretty good in time.
DeleteSlocum is all that and more. I love her game. Dangerfield will be counted upon heavily next season by Geno.
DeletePaulie
Mariella Fasoula has left Boston College. This girl has a strong inside game. Any chance Louisville might be interested? The Deb Factor
ReplyDeleteOr...would she have any interest in Louisville? And, would BC release her to another ACC school? And, would the Cards have a scholly available for her?
DeleteLooking back at the Baylor game cards didn't shoot the ball well,and it wasn't baylor defense.Cards flat out didn't make shots.
ReplyDeleteMLW
IMHO ,The cards need to play Uconn every season . When the cards played in the same conference as Uconn, the cardinals were battle tested for the Ncaa tournament.
ReplyDeleteMLW