Once again, there was the problem of incompetent officiating at the Nest tonight. Oh, one ref (the hot one) was good, and one of the ugly ones was ok, but the ugliest of them all, wow, was she out to get PSU. Between making up calls on PSU and completely ignoring a blatant elbow to the face of one Kelsey Kahle in the second half ensured that the Viks had to make it obvious that they were going to win.
Kahle was everything I've heard online and more. I was so impressed with her play, particularly in the second half. She was posting up like nobody's business. Actually, truth be told, given the representation of the team I saw on eGriz, PSU is Kahle and nobody else. What I saw tonight put the kabosh on that idea; the Viks played as a TEAM the entire game. In fact, during the first half, I never saw anyone as wide open in a halfcourt set as I saw Erin Yankus TWICE. How Sac didn't guard her, I have no clue. Courtney Cremer had some solid minutes down low late. And yet another Viking who impressed me with her play was Delaney Conway. Claire Faucher's free throws during crunch time sealed the deal; I think she was perfect the entire last portion of the second half.
I was really impressed with the quick substitutions to keep everyone fresh, particularly in the first half. I WAS disappointed, however, to see one player didn't get to play. I have no clue who she is, though, because she never took her warmup top off to reveal her number. I'm of the old Little League frame of mind: everyone plays. And, just like every other time I've seen The Hottie, she got hot under the collar at the officials and poor play, but she NEVER let loose with any F-bombs or anything like that. That's always been one of the things I've loved about her. No need for any Bobby Knights here.
I don't know how Sac gets away with their play. I'll forgive Jasmine Cannady, who blew through four fouls in less than a minute near the end trying to get the ball at half court and then fouled out a minute later. She was just trying to win even after it was obvious that the game belonged to PSU. But the dirty play of Erika Edwards and Becca Reams REALLY steamed me. They were over the top all night and never got called for that. Oh, Edwards got four OTHER fouls, and should have fouled out late, but the refs were kind enough to give the foul to Atty Boyer instead. Edwards' play in particular reminded me very much of a girl who used to play for UCSB (her name has slipped my mind). I'm embarrassed to say that a girl like that plays for Sac State.
I got to meet Kahle after the game. She's got a great head on her shoulders, and it doesn't hurt that she's gorgeous, either. ;-)
Anyways, it was GREAT to see The Hottie again. Now, I have to wait until next year. Boo hoo.
(And, yes, before you question me, I DID go as a Sherri Murrell fan and not as a Hornet fan.)
