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Posts by Bentpawn(Don)

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Thinking Through The Flau'jae Johnson Draft and Trade For Marta Suarez Plus a few notes on Ashlon Jackson and Kokoro Tanaka

The WriteForCalifornia gang is expanding this year to also cover the Valkyries. Here's my recap and of what unfolded tonight with the Flau'jae Johnson draft selection and subsequent trade for Marta Suarez. Thrilled to have Marta back in the Bay.

thevalhallanscribe.substack.com/p/thinking-t...

1 week ago 0 0 0 0
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A Messenger from Ballhalla So begins a new journey into the ‘26 WNBA season.

My WriteforCalifornia brethren have spun up a Golden State Valkyries grass roots journalism site. I'm looking forward to making basketball coverage a year round passion. Come check us out.

thevalhallanscribe.substack.com/p/a-messenge...

3 weeks ago 1 0 0 0
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Men's Basketball: St Joseph's Hawks Complete Comeback to Beat Cal 76-75 Up 19, Cal loses control of the game down the stretch to end their season

My recap of yesterday's painful loss and end of the season for Cal. Hold on to good memories of a successful season before pivoting to off-season anxiety.

writeforcalifornia.com/p/mens-baske...

4 weeks ago 0 0 0 0
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My coffee mug for the day. I love March Madness.

(My oldest child is named Siena).

1 month ago 0 0 0 0
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Sights and Sounds From The ACC Men's Basketball Tournament A Cal writer's first foray into ACC Basketball territory

Some observations and picture from Charlotte. I'm already looking forward to Greensboro next year.

writeforcalifornia.com/p/sights-and...

1 month ago 1 0 0 0
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How often should an adult male get a picture with Oski? Every chance they have? Once and only once? Only at big events? Annually, like around your birthday?

1 month ago 1 0 0 0
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My favorite picture from Charlotte.

1 month ago 0 0 0 0
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Watching Duke/FSU in person makes me more resolved that Cal needs to get to this level.

1 month ago 0 0 0 0

Must resist the urge to doom and gloom tonight's result and be content that Cal reached 21 wins, after being 3-30 4 years ago.

1 month ago 1 0 0 0

Cal is befuddled by FSU's zone, with too much perimeter passing instead of motion through the zone to loosen it up. FSU leads 34-25 with 3:32 left in 1H.

1 month ago 0 0 0 0
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Young'un repping the Chris Bell signed jersey. I have so many questions.

1 month ago 0 0 0 0

@mpete91.bsky.social

1 month ago 0 0 0 0
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Packing up to head to Charlotte for the ACC Tourney. Got my pile of stickers ready to cover The Spectrum.

1 month ago 1 1 1 0
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Berkeley Hosts Leadership Academy for Women's Sports "If you can change how women are viewed in sports, you can change how women are viewed in society."

I had the opportunity to attend a panel discussion and reception for Haas School of Business Women's Sports Leadership Academy last week. My recap of some of the themes covered and how have me something to think on about my view on fandom.

writeforcalifornia.com/p/berkeley-h...

1 month ago 0 0 0 0
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Women's Basketball; After Slow Start, Cal Dominates Wake Forest 75-52 Sakima Walker records a double double, Lulu Twidale and other starters rest for the entire fourth quarter as Cal cruises to the victory

Cal dispatches of Wake Forest today, able to rest their starters down the stretch as they pulled away.

That's two dominant games in a row, albeit against struggling teams. Cal carries good momentum into tomorrow's game against Syracuse.

writeforcalifornia.com/p/womens-bas...

1 month ago 0 0 0 0
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Agreed on Twidale, Barnes, Maul. I think you need to keep Puff from an optics perspective. Not good to have an injured All-American recruit transfer out after 1 year. Plus she will get better.

I would like to to keep Naya. Sneaky efficient in low post.

That's my 5 to prioritize.

1 month ago 0 0 1 0
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Men's Basketball: Cal Falters Against Pitt, Loses 72-56 Too many Bears turnovers, too few 3-pointers in loss to the Panthers

Cal lost the easiest remaining game on their schedule today. No margin of error left, plus will need at least one win in ACC Tourney to go dancing.
writeforcalifornia.com/p/mens-baske...

1 month ago 1 0 0 1
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Men's Basketball: Syracuse Outlasts Cal 107-100 in Double Overtime Lee Dort's absence is acutely felt as the Orange shoot 70% from inside

Ilic's tape coming from MD-Eastern Shore was impressive, so much that I've been waiting for a breakthrough.
He had is best offensive game tonight with 16/14, and was responsible for getting the game to double OT.

He was also the reason Cal lost.
writeforcalifornia.com/p/mens-baske...

2 months ago 1 0 0 0
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Women's Basketball: Lulu Twidale Powers Cal Over Pitt 95-80 Plus video clips of Gisella Maul's multi-faceted play from the past couple games

Cal outscores Pitt 95-80 to kick off the day. Plenty of firepower, but lacking on defense which allowed Pitt to hang around the entire second half.

Plus a few clips showing Gisella Maul's versatility, and a couple lowlights from the ACC announcing crew.

writeforcalifornia.com/p/womens-bas...

2 months ago 1 2 0 0
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Men's Basketball: Clemson Defense Too Much for Cal in 77-55 Defeat After a competitive opening, the Tigers strangle the Bears to control the game

My recap of Clemson's domination of Cal. I don't think we learned anything new tonight about the Bears. We have 4 more weeks of living on the bubble.

writeforcalifornia.com/p/mens-baske...

2 months ago 1 0 0 0

My recap of Cal's victory over Notre Dame. It was fun watching Hannah Hidalgo struggle for 40 minutes against Mjracle Sheppard's exceptional defense.

That's 3 wins in a row for Cal. A win against Louisville on Sunday opens up NCAA Tourney talk once again.

writeforcalifornia.com/p/womens-bas...

2 months ago 4 0 0 0
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Women's Basketball; Cal Outlasts Stanford in OT, 78-71 Lulu Twidale dominates the extra period to lead Cal to victory

My recap of Cal's victory today over Stanford. To quote Coach Smith, "’m just glad that we were able to have a moment to smile and feel good with a win today.”

writeforcalifornia.com/p/womens-bas...

2 months ago 3 1 0 0
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Men's Basketball: Cal's Explosive First Half Fuels the Upset Over #14 North Carolina, 84-78 Cal withstands late UNC rally to secure the win

My recap of Cal's victory this afternoon over UNC. After a rough start to conference play, John Camden has been on fire for the Bears. It's a good sign for the rest of the season.

writeforcalifornia.com/p/mens-baske...

3 months ago 4 2 0 0
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This is the time of year where I consider sinuses to be an evolutionary mistake.

4 months ago 0 0 0 0
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Cal Dominates Cal State Bakersfield in Decisive 87-60 Victory Cal's balanced scoring attack overwhelms the Roadrunners

My recap of Cal's season opening win over CSU-Bakersfield. Pippen, Camden and Dort form an intriguing core for the Bears, with depth to mix and match around them. This may be a fun year.
writeforcalifornia.com/p/cal-cal-st...

5 months ago 3 1 0 0

The team is very drive-and-dish oriented tonight. Impressed by Maul and Barnes so far.

5 months ago 2 0 0 0
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1:1 Conversation with Cal Women's Basketball Coach Charmin Smith "This is a special team that deserves to be watched."

In which Coach Charmin Smith and I talk about Cal Women's Basketball, challenges both on and off the court for the coming season, her and the team's interaction with the WNBA Valkyries, and her favorite food spots near campus. @wgoldenstate.bsky.social

writeforcalifornia.com/p/cal-womens...

6 months ago 2 0 0 0
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Cal Men's Basketball: A 1:1 Conversation with Coach Mark Madsen Recapping a late August conversation with Coach Madsen, plus an overview of the 25-26 schedule

Recapping a recent phone convo I had with Coach Madsen, where he calls his shot for the number of wins this year(plus other coach-speak and factoids).
writeforcalifornia.com/p/cal-mens-b...

7 months ago 2 0 0 0
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Men's Basketball Roster Catch-Up Familiarizing ourselves with the new roster and having a sense of optimism

It's mid August, so let's take a look at the Cal Men's Basketball roster. I am weirdly optimistic about this season.

writeforcalifornia.com/p/mens-baske...

8 months ago 5 1 0 0

Oh god the urge to go look at twitter is so strong right now...must resist.

10 months ago 0 0 0 0