i attended this game and one of the things for which i was looking forward was to see Kastanek play. i had read alot about her intensity. but- State was playing Maryland and i figured they would be lucky to win, and it was Kastanek’s first ACC game against a good ACC team. even during the warm-ups one could see that her “motor” ran a little faster than everyone else. 19 points in itself was outstanding, but she did so much more. she had 4 of State’s first 6 steals. if the ball was loose near her she got it. and she had an uncanny ability to anticipate where a Maryland pass was going.
three plays stand out. the first was a dribble behind the back and into the lane to clear herself of Maryland defenders to make a 8-10 foot jumper. the second was her steal of a Maryland inbounds pass for a layup. the third was her running between two Maryland players to snare an offensive rebound, get hit in the face, dribble toward the corner, pass to Gartrel, receive the pass back and nail a three. when she got the pass back and started to shoot i was thinking “if she makes that-gracious”.
yes i was impressed. looks like she likes the big stage.
i would like to add that Gartrel played her best game.

“NC State also out-rebounded the Terrapins 41-37, despite Maryland entering the game with a plus-12 turnover margin.”

Am I up too early, or does this sentence make no sense?