Columbia 37P6
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03-23-24 11:15 AM - Post#366216
Just took another look online at the film for our two known commitments for next year, guards Nasi Simmons and Maria Arrebola Sanchez. Simmons is a very talented player who can score and play defense. Her upside is tremendous. Maria Arrebola Sanchez is a very tall and athletic guard who plays on Spain's National Team. At 6'1" she will be very difficult to guard.
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cc66
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Reg: 10-09-09
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03-23-24 02:01 PM - Post#366237
In response to Columbia 37P6
That's good to know. Last year, I thought there was going to be a fall-off with this year's team. I feel the same way about next year but hope to be equally wrong.
We know that Collins and K. Henderson will star, and Susie Raifu seems to be developing at center. But after that, it gets a little trickier. Fliss Henderson is good close to the basketball, but can't shoot, plus we need Riley Weiss to improve a lot over the summer to compensate at least in part for the loss of Abbey's 3 pt. shooting. Maybe Simmos will challenge her? Also, while we are usually okay in the IL, we do need greater height if we are truly going to be competitive. Let's hope Megan has found someone else, either a first year or through the transfer portal a la Ceci Collins, who could fill that role.
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Columbia 37P6
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2024 Women Bsjtb Commits
03-23-24 03:13 PM - Post#366246
In response to cc66
I feel that Nasi Simmons has a chance to make an immediate impact in the Ivy League. She plays for the Noble and Greenough School which is a New England basketball powerhouse. Her game films which are available online shown her to be a multi-skilled basketball player who is particularly adept at stealing the ball on defense. She should fit in perfectly into Coach G's high octane offense. There is not enough film to say much about Sanchez, but she is playing at a very high level in Spain. As to your comments, I agree with you that we do need greater height to be competitive with the top schools. Coach G is probably looking at the Transfer Portal for that help as nearly all the top high school seniors have already committed by now. There are several first and second year players in the Transfer Portal that I could see her targeting,
Edited by Columbia 37P6 on 03-23-24 03:31 PM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
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Columbia 37P6
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Posts: 2180
Reg: 02-14-06
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03-23-24 11:08 PM - Post#366289
In response to Columbia 37P6
Meanwhile, the only news coming out of the Columbia Men's Basketball Program is that senior Liam Murphy who didn't play at all this season has entered the Transfer Portal along with graduating seniors Zavian McLean and Josh Odunowo. No coaching change has been announced so it appears that Lucky Jim Engles will be returning for still another season despite the team's 4-10 record in the Ivy League.
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CM
Masters Student
Posts: 421
Reg: 10-11-18
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Re: 2024 Women Bsjtb Commits
03-24-24 01:18 PM - Post#366309
In response to Columbia 37P6
Spanish players coming to Columbia have had what I will charitably call mixed results.
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PeteD
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03-24-24 04:08 PM - Post#366315
In response to CM
With 4 starters returning, the big question (obv) is who will fill Hsu's shoes! The obvious choice is Riley Weiss, but I would not rule out Page, Calvo, Tor, and Simmons. Griffith will have many options on who best fits with the other four.
Regardless, Simmons will likely get a chance to play significant minutes with the graduation of Hsu and Stephens. She received offers from several solid programs including Harvard, Fairfield, and Fordham.
I like the idea of turning over the point guard duties to Simmons or Calvo to take some load off Kitty... I think Kitty would shine even more if she took Abbey's role as the off guard. She has an adequate 3-pt shot and is so good at driving to the hoop, which would create high percentage shots for herself and others.
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PeteD
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03-24-24 06:27 PM - Post#366326
In response to PeteD
Another key to Columbia’s success next year and beyond is whether Griffith is here for the long haul. I imagine that Griffith has at least been contacted by some P5 schools the past 12 months.
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cc66
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03-24-24 10:04 PM - Post#366333
In response to PeteD
I haven't seen enough yet to justify the inclusion of Calvo or Tor in the starting line. Perhaps Kitty might be moved over?In any event, at this point, Simmons and Weiss do seem like the best options.
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PeteD
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03-25-24 12:40 AM - Post#366366
In response to cc66
Understood… what gives me optimism about Calvo is that Griffith gave her more minutes than I was expecting and while she didn’t shine, she didn’t give any indication that she can’t play on this level. One concern I have about Calvo is the knee brace… that must hinder her mobility. If she’s coming off an injury, maybe she can do without it in 6 months.
The lack of meaningful minutes for Tor was a complete mystery to me. After the departure of Comesana and Lobon in late January, and the regression of Lauder, I thought Tor would see more action. Didn’t happen. So, the logical explanation is that Griffith didn’t think she was ready to contribute, but from the little I saw of her, I think she’s going to be a key player next season, especially if she improves just a fraction of the amount that Raifu made between her first and second year.
I can’t comment on Sanchez as I haven’t seen her play.
Simmons looks good on tape, but I don’t put much weight into it because the competition didn’t look all that great. But if Simmons turns out to be a more dynamic version of Nicole Stephens, then she’ll see a lot of minutes next year.
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PeteD
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03-25-24 01:02 AM - Post#366369
In response to cc66
Fliss Henderson is good close to the basket, but can't shoot...
While Fliss shot a dismal 5 for 41 from beyond the arc, she has a smooth stroke. And the fact that she shot that many 3’s tells me that Griffith gave her the green light to some degree at least… maybe she shot well in practice? Regardless, Coach G will likely encourage her to shoot a ton of 3’s this summer to regain her confidence.
I expect that she’ll shoot over 30% next season. If so, teams won't be able to sag off her like they did this year.
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CM
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Reg: 10-11-18
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03-25-24 06:39 AM - Post#366372
In response to PeteD
It's actually worse if you have a smooth stroke and still can't shoot. It means you've repped that form a lot but it doesn't translate to makes.
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Columbia 37P6
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03-25-24 10:27 AM - Post#366386
In response to CM
I assume Coach G will be reaching out this week to a number of players in the Transfer Portal that she and her staff have already identified. As happened with Cecilia Collins and Ava Sciolla last year, she probably knows some of the players from their high school days. Ideally, the transfers would be tall front court players.
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PeteD
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03-25-24 09:06 PM - Post#366449
In response to CM
It's actually worse if you have a smooth stroke and still can't shoot. It means you've repped that form a lot but it doesn't translate to makes.
So, what do you put as the over/under on Fliss’s 3-pt percentage next season?
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Columbia 37P6
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Posts: 2180
Reg: 02-14-06
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2024 Women Bsjtb Commits
03-27-24 03:59 PM - Post#366612
In response to PeteD
Pete, putting aside for the moment your valid question about the quality of her competition, Nasi Simmons is definitely an outstanding player on a very well-coached New England Prep School team that is loaded with big-time talented players. Nasi's recruiting film showcases her exceptional athletic skills, particularly on defense where she averages several steals a game. My guess is that Coach G sees sees her as the possible heir apparent to Kitty Henderson at point guard.
Edited by Columbia 37P6 on 03-27-24 04:01 PM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
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PeteD
Masters Student
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03-27-24 10:28 PM - Post#366626
In response to Columbia 37P6
Believe me… I hope she gives Turner, Chea, Belker, etc. a lot of trouble the next few years.
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JDP
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03-28-24 09:43 PM - Post#366664
In response to PeteD
Not a surprise, Coach G’s name in the mix at Miami
https://x.com/primetimemitch/status /17734105530057...
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CM
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03-29-24 06:46 AM - Post#366666
In response to JDP
Griffith, Moore, Berube, and even LeBlanc. I'd be shocked if any of them are still on an Ivy bench in four years. Proving to be excellent young talent and will get plucked for sure.
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Columbia 37P6
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03-29-24 12:52 PM - Post#366675
In response to CM
OUCH!! Hopefully, Pilling has planned for this contingency.
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PeteD
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Loc: California
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03-29-24 03:39 PM - Post#366684
In response to Columbia 37P6
Although Griffith would be a huge loss, I imagine Cordell could fill in without missing a beat.
Just a hunch, but I don’t think Griffith is going anywhere until she wins an Ivy tournament title and/or wins at least one NCAA tournament game. She has unfinished business.
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cc66
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03-29-24 04:27 PM - Post#366686
In response to PeteD
I don't think she's going anywhere either. She seems really connected to Columbia and probably senses that if she stays, she would soon become one of the more respected figures on campus. For a long time, we haven't had a coach in any sport who commanded such influence (Jack Rohan?). Megan prizes the strength of the Columbia community she has created around wbb. Maybe I am naive, but she is not Kyle Smith--I don't think she's leaving so soon just because the next job has a higher salary.
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