... in part, because we had that poll a year, year+ ago.
Don't Think They'll Name 2018 Championship Players This Early, so will first go with All Others:
1) K. Gaither (for reasons mention in previous post)
2) A. Ratay (the three point shooter (and more), NCAA Natty Ring holder)
3) J. Batteast (great player, local icon)
Possible Others: L. Allen, M. Duffy, N. Novosel, D. Peters.
- I think Loyd is being held back not so much by just three years, but a decidedly "eh" vibe.
- Lindsay Allen. Think she needs to do a bit more in pro career...
In terms of the 2018 Nat'l. Champions and 2019 Runners-Up (mostly the same, save for Turner in for Westbeld), some thoughts.
- Arike Ogunbowale: Yes, the leading scorer and "the shots." Three-year starter, to boot.
- Jess Shepard: Does the two-year (only) thing hold her back?. Still: No Shep, no championship ... end of story. She was that good.
- Marina Mabrey: Three-year starter, great long-range shooter who helped team (perhaps at expense of her own shooting) when there were no PG's. Still, is National Championship the differentiating factor over, say, Natalie Novosel and/or Maddie Cable?
- Jackie Young: This is a hard one because we all know she will continue to improve in the pro's. Still, she "only" started for two years and while a stud when needed and in key games (UConn semi), she deferred to others in scoring.
- Kat Westbeld: Fine, solid career and a personal fave. But do you get in the rafters largely for leadership, smarts and things that are not in the stat sheet?
- Brianna Turner. Played in two NC games and -- unfairly, in my opinion =- is sometimes judged by not becoming the breakout scorer that folks wanted/expected her to be. What she did become was one of the best defensive players and rebounders.
Welcome other thoughts!