You can call me Don. Hopeless Cal fan. East Bay resident. Basketball writer at https://www.writeforcalifornia.comhttps://bsky.app/profile/bentpawn.writeforcal.comhttps://bsky.app/profile/bentpawn.writeforcal.com/post/3mmaboex5qc2jSome week one observations of the Valkyries' 2-1 start. I love analyzing shot charts and see how they align to offensive game planning. https://thevalhallanscribe.substack.com/p/on-layups-and-3s-valkyries-shot-distribution19 May 2026 20:56 +0000at://did:plc:tu2ih5vyffrust4ha7qlr76k/app.bsky.feed.post/3mmaboex5qc2jhttps://bsky.app/profile/bentpawn.writeforcal.com/post/3mjgjtigmis2fThe 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. https://thevalhallanscribe.substack.com/p/thinking-through-the-flaujae-johnson14 Apr 2026 04:22 +0000at://did:plc:tu2ih5vyffrust4ha7qlr76k/app.bsky.feed.post/3mjgjtigmis2fhttps://bsky.app/profile/bentpawn.writeforcal.com/post/3mhwt75knsc2eMy 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. https://thevalhallanscribe.substack.com/p/a-messenger-from-ballhalla26 Mar 2026 05:02 +0000at://did:plc:tu2ih5vyffrust4ha7qlr76k/app.bsky.feed.post/3mhwt75knsc2ehttps://bsky.app/profile/bentpawn.writeforcal.com/post/3mhriio7rf22lMy 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. https://writeforcalifornia.com/p/mens-basketball-st-josephs-hawks24 Mar 2026 02:07 +0000at://did:plc:tu2ih5vyffrust4ha7qlr76k/app.bsky.feed.post/3mhriio7rf22lhttps://bsky.app/profile/bentpawn.writeforcal.com/post/3mhghohvkxc24My coffee mug for the day. I love March Madness. (My oldest child is named Siena).19 Mar 2026 16:53 +0000at://did:plc:tu2ih5vyffrust4ha7qlr76k/app.bsky.feed.post/3mhghohvkxc24https://bsky.app/profile/bentpawn.writeforcal.com/post/3mh4wbakyzs2oSome observations and picture from Charlotte. I'm already looking forward to Greensboro next year. https://writeforcalifornia.com/p/sights-and-sounds-from-the-acc-mens15 Mar 2026 21:48 +0000at://did:plc:tu2ih5vyffrust4ha7qlr76k/app.bsky.feed.post/3mh4wbakyzs2ohttps://bsky.app/profile/bentpawn.writeforcal.com/post/3mgxgzughns2dHow 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?13 Mar 2026 17:32 +0000at://did:plc:tu2ih5vyffrust4ha7qlr76k/app.bsky.feed.post/3mgxgzughns2dhttps://bsky.app/profile/bentpawn.writeforcal.com/post/3mgwr7cdpoc2iMy favorite picture from Charlotte.13 Mar 2026 11:01 +0000at://did:plc:tu2ih5vyffrust4ha7qlr76k/app.bsky.feed.post/3mgwr7cdpoc2ihttps://bsky.app/profile/bentpawn.writeforcal.com/post/3mgvj7ksufc2yWatching Duke/FSU in person makes me more resolved that Cal needs to get to this level.12 Mar 2026 23:05 +0000at://did:plc:tu2ih5vyffrust4ha7qlr76k/app.bsky.feed.post/3mgvj7ksufc2yhttps://bsky.app/profile/bentpawn.writeforcal.com/post/3mgt6oviids2fMust 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.12 Mar 2026 00:52 +0000at://did:plc:tu2ih5vyffrust4ha7qlr76k/app.bsky.feed.post/3mgt6oviids2fhttps://bsky.app/profile/bentpawn.writeforcal.com/post/3mgt2q6ov4c2rCal 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.11 Mar 2026 23:41 +0000at://did:plc:tu2ih5vyffrust4ha7qlr76k/app.bsky.feed.post/3mgt2q6ov4c2rhttps://bsky.app/profile/bentpawn.writeforcal.com/post/3mgsddk7eok2eYoung'un repping the Chris Bell signed jersey. I have so many questions.11 Mar 2026 16:42 +0000at://did:plc:tu2ih5vyffrust4ha7qlr76k/app.bsky.feed.post/3mgsddk7eok2ehttps://bsky.app/profile/bentpawn.writeforcal.com/post/3mgpnypwtl22iPacking up to head to Charlotte for the ACC Tourney. Got my pile of stickers ready to cover The Spectrum.10 Mar 2026 15:15 +0000at://did:plc:tu2ih5vyffrust4ha7qlr76k/app.bsky.feed.post/3mgpnypwtl22ihttps://bsky.app/profile/bentpawn.writeforcal.com/post/3mgldpukpm22kI 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. https://writeforcalifornia.com/p/berkeley-hosts-leadership-academy08 Mar 2026 22:00 +0000at://did:plc:tu2ih5vyffrust4ha7qlr76k/app.bsky.feed.post/3mgldpukpm22khttps://bsky.app/profile/bentpawn.writeforcal.com/post/3mgbdakf5s22iCal 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. https://writeforcalifornia.com/p/womens-basketball-after-slow-start04 Mar 2026 22:25 +0000at://did:plc:tu2ih5vyffrust4ha7qlr76k/app.bsky.feed.post/3mgbdakf5s22ihttps://bsky.app/profile/bentpawn.writeforcal.com/post/3mfxo7ol7us2eCal 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. https://writeforcalifornia.com/p/mens-basketball-cal-falters-against01 Mar 2026 02:15 +0000at://did:plc:tu2ih5vyffrust4ha7qlr76k/app.bsky.feed.post/3mfxo7ol7us2ehttps://bsky.app/profile/bentpawn.writeforcal.com/post/3menfgufqi22nIlic'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. https://writeforcalifornia.com/p/mens-basketball-syracuse-outlasts12 Feb 2026 06:46 +0000at://did:plc:tu2ih5vyffrust4ha7qlr76k/app.bsky.feed.post/3menfgufqi22nhttps://bsky.app/profile/bentpawn.writeforcal.com/post/3meezhwqne22gCal 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. https://writeforcalifornia.com/p/womens-basketball-lulu-twidale-powers08 Feb 2026 22:51 +0000at://did:plc:tu2ih5vyffrust4ha7qlr76k/app.bsky.feed.post/3meezhwqne22ghttps://bsky.app/profile/bentpawn.writeforcal.com/post/3med57joggs25My 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. https://writeforcalifornia.com/p/mens-basketball-clemson-defense-too08 Feb 2026 04:52 +0000at://did:plc:tu2ih5vyffrust4ha7qlr76k/app.bsky.feed.post/3med57joggs25https://bsky.app/profile/bentpawn.writeforcal.com/post/3mdmrz3antc2hMy 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. https://writeforcalifornia.com/p/womens-basketball-cal-takes-down30 Jan 2026 07:33 +0000at://did:plc:tu2ih5vyffrust4ha7qlr76k/app.bsky.feed.post/3mdmrz3antc2hhttps://bsky.app/profile/bentpawn.writeforcal.com/post/3mdclqsuul22sMy 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.” https://writeforcalifornia.com/p/womens-basketball-cal-outlasts-stanford26 Jan 2026 06:15 +0000at://did:plc:tu2ih5vyffrust4ha7qlr76k/app.bsky.feed.post/3mdclqsuul22shttps://bsky.app/profile/bentpawn.writeforcal.com/post/3mco6ezqn2c2pMy 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. https://writeforcalifornia.com/p/mens-basketball-cals-explosive-first18 Jan 2026 03:22 +0000at://did:plc:tu2ih5vyffrust4ha7qlr76k/app.bsky.feed.post/3mco6ezqn2c2phttps://bsky.app/profile/bentpawn.writeforcal.com/post/3m74xrac4dk2wThis is the time of year where I consider sinuses to be an evolutionary mistake.04 Dec 2025 02:53 +0000at://did:plc:tu2ih5vyffrust4ha7qlr76k/app.bsky.feed.post/3m74xrac4dk2whttps://bsky.app/profile/bentpawn.writeforcal.com/post/3m4rzh5fdu22mMy 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. https://writeforcalifornia.com/p/cal-cal-state-bakersfield-mens-college-basketball-2025-game-result-recap04 Nov 2025 07:33 +0000at://did:plc:tu2ih5vyffrust4ha7qlr76k/app.bsky.feed.post/3m4rzh5fdu22mhttps://bsky.app/profile/bentpawn.writeforcal.com/post/3m22ww3nvh22aIn 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 https://writeforcalifornia.com/p/cal-womens-basketball-head-coach-charmin-smith-exclusive-interview-202530 Sep 2025 16:26 +0000at://did:plc:tu2ih5vyffrust4ha7qlr76k/app.bsky.feed.post/3m22ww3nvh22ahttps://bsky.app/profile/bentpawn.writeforcal.com/post/3lzaich6f6s2lRecapping 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). https://writeforcalifornia.com/p/cal-mens-basketball-coach-mark-madsen-exclusive-interview-2025?r=4dvff20 Sep 2025 03:56 +0000at://did:plc:tu2ih5vyffrust4ha7qlr76k/app.bsky.feed.post/3lzaich6f6s2lhttps://bsky.app/profile/bentpawn.writeforcal.com/post/3lwg7kbiqrc2rIt's mid August, so let's take a look at the Cal Men's Basketball roster. I am weirdly optimistic about this season. https://writeforcalifornia.com/p/mens-basketball-roster-catch-up15 Aug 2025 06:19 +0000at://did:plc:tu2ih5vyffrust4ha7qlr76k/app.bsky.feed.post/3lwg7kbiqrc2rhttps://bsky.app/profile/bentpawn.writeforcal.com/post/3lqv6pxfq7k23Oh god the urge to go look at twitter is so strong right now...must resist.05 Jun 2025 20:43 +0000at://did:plc:tu2ih5vyffrust4ha7qlr76k/app.bsky.feed.post/3lqv6pxfq7k23https://bsky.app/profile/bentpawn.writeforcal.com/post/3llqz7mybos24Looking at the box score with no context, and see the 'B Hurley' 2 minutes for ASU. I'm imagining a very frustrated Coach Hurley in the last minutes just saying f*** it, grabbing a bench warmers jersey and subbing himself in.01 Apr 2025 13:48 +0000at://did:plc:tu2ih5vyffrust4ha7qlr76k/app.bsky.feed.post/3llqz7mybos24https://bsky.app/profile/bentpawn.writeforcal.com/post/3lkyx3hlgnc2aCal's worst game of the year comes at the worst time. Credit to MSU for making Cal uncomfortable all game. It will be a somber post game press session.23 Mar 2025 00:06 +0000at://did:plc:tu2ih5vyffrust4ha7qlr76k/app.bsky.feed.post/3lkyx3hlgnc2a