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High Post Hoops staff selects NCAA tournament players to watch

By High Post Hoops Staff

PHILADELPHIA, PA - MARCH 11: Bella Alarie #31 of the Princeton Tigers smiles after a basket drops for the Tigers during the first quarter at The Palestra on March 11, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Princeton defeated Penn 63-34. (Photo by Corey Perrine/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - MARCH 11: Bella Alarie #31 of the Princeton Tigers smiles after a basket drops for the Tigers during the first quarter at The Palestra on March 11, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Princeton defeated Penn 63-34. (Photo by Corey Perrine/Getty Images) /
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PALO ALTO, CA – FEBRUARY 22: Stanford guard Kiana Williams (23) during the women’s basketball game between the Arizona Wildcats and the Stanford Cardinal at Maples Pavilion on February 22, 2019 in Palo Alto, CA. (Photo by Cody Glenn/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
PALO ALTO, CA – FEBRUARY 22: Stanford guard Kiana Williams (23) during the women’s basketball game between the Arizona Wildcats and the Stanford Cardinal at Maples Pavilion on February 22, 2019 in Palo Alto, CA. (Photo by Cody Glenn/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Kiana Williams, Stanford

Kiana Williams playing well pushes this Stanford team to new heights, that of a true national championship contender.

The Cardinal constants — forcing you to make shots over them out of your halfcourt offense, moving the ball from side to side, putting pressure on all five defenders with their Princeton-style actions — can’t replicate Williams’ deep range and dynamic handle.

She ignites Stanford’s transition game, seen in their blowout victory over Oregon State earlier this season as she pulled up for two 3-pointers in transition. Her clutch 3-pointer in the Pac-12 championship against Oregon allowed the Cardinal to separate late in the fourth quarter.

Disciplined opponents can take away the back cuts, and every NCAA Tournament will do all they can to get Alanna Smith into foul trouble. Williams makes the Cardinal all the more unpredictable and has proven to be capable of shouldering the load along with Smith and DiJonai Carrington. — Ben Dull

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