We are back with more photos from Cal's victory over Miami in the WNIT. Exciting game. At half, Cal was up 35-23. Cal seemed to be in control for most of the second half, but we're Cal fans. We never relax. Even when Cal got up 18 at one point, we were just freaked. Especially when Miami had a run in them near the end.
No matter how freaked the fans were, the players stayed calm. Cal was not to be stopped. They just bowled over everybody in their path:
Some more second half action:
Here is Miami's Swedish player:
I doubt she ever heard us, but we ragged her pretty hard. Screaming the usual anti-Swedish chants like "SOCIALIZED MEDICINE SUCKS!," "YOUR DEFENSE LOOKS MORE LOST THAN ME WANDERING THROUGH IKEA!" and, of course, "FINLAND! FINLAND! FINLAND!" It's common knowledge that after hundreds of years of antagonism and fighting, the Swedes hate to be associated with their arch-rival Fins. Honestly, all of those Northern European countries are full of hatred towards all the other ones. Whether they are from Sweden, Finland, or Norwegia, it doesn't matter. Other chants included "GO BACK TO SWEDEN......AND BRING ME SOME CHOCOLATE" and "INDEPENDENT OF ANY CHOCOLATE RETRIEVAL, JUST GO BACK TO SWEDEN!"
I'm sorry that I was so racist against Sweden, but I who could blame me? It's Sweden! Fortunately for Yderstrom, she isn't Dutch. Then, it would have been ON! I wonder what it is like going from chilly Sweden to sweltering Miami.
Anyway, Cal was just playing on all cylinders. Outside shooting from Lexi. Inside presence with Stallworth.
That is Gennifer Brandon, she of the short shorts. Great rebounder.
Cal was getting most of the calls and hitting their shots:
Cal was doing great and started to make some end of game substitutions. With each player being removed, the fans went wild. When Coach Boyle substituted for Lexi, it wasn't just pandemonium in the stadium, but a hugfest at the Cal bench.
Ending the season on a win is a positive, no matter what!
The team came over for a celebratory huddle:
Awards were handed out for the All-Tournament team, which included some Miami players who were cheered by the crowd, and DeNesha Stallworth. Lexi won the MVP for the Tournament. They posed for a photo with the WNIT Trophy:
Then, the cutting of the net began:
Each player goes up and cuts off a little bit as a souvenir. This seemed to confuse DeNesha:
It took about three attempts by various people to convince her:
Gennifer Brandon, who somebody said had a fear of heights, only went part way up the ladder. Of course, given her height, she doesn't need to go so high up:
They let people onto the floor somewhat closely to celebrate. The team was standing behind the ladder, dancing around:
Finally, it was Lexi's turn:
Everybody was in a happy mood and the players were mugging for the cameras:
Then, after a succession of the assistant coaches and other assorted employees, Coach Boyle had her opportunity. I have no idea how she climbed up in those heels, but she managed gingerly:
Then, the final huddle of the season before running to the locker room:
But not before Natasha Vital showed off her new bounty:
Thus, we were at the end of a great game and a successful season. After losing most of the starters to graduation/WNBA last year, Coach Boyle could have been justified in a "rebuilding" season. However, she pushed her talented freshmen nearly in to the NCAAs and, unlike USC, didn't view the WNIT as some sort of unacceptable consolation prize. She used those games as opportunities to build the confidence in her young charges. Out of it, we got some more great basketball and one delightful Saturday Championship afternoon! GO BEARS!
I'll leave you with lasting images of what most people think of when they think of WNIT Championship Games: HOLI!
Rishi is in there somewhere, not entirely sure. I ran into him later, but didn't see him at the celebration itself.
Oh and Raleigh's and Intermezzo are back!
Welcome back to my life! I missed you both!