Around the Web: Mystics Win in OT, High Praise for Smith

by LJRotter on Jun 21, 2010 2:00 PM EDT in Around the Web

Yes, I usually cover the New York Liberty. But as of July 31st, I will no longer be a New York resident, and so I will be focusing on the Washington Mystics (my home team growing up), which Swish Appeal does not currently cover.

On Saturday night, the Mystics hosted the Chicago Sky at the Verizon Center in Washington, D.C., and provided an exciting overtime thriller for their fans. Veteran guard Katie Smith helped close the deficit at the end of regulation with a pair of clutch free throws, and then all but guaranteed the win with a three-point basket in overtime.

After the jump are some articles covering the game, as well as a look at the evolution of small forward Monique Currie and her importance to the team.

Mystics Insider - Mystics 65, Sky 61 OT

When the Mystics announced they signed veteran guard Katie Smith in March, general manager Angela Taylor constantly spoke of how they believed the 36-year-old's cool-under-pressure demeanor would help Washington win close games.

Mystics prevail over Sky in overtime
Katie Smith scored a season-high 17 points to rally the Washington Mystics to a 65-61 overtime win over the Chicago Sky.

Smith's OT heroics help lead Mystics past Sky
Katie Smith scored a season high 17 points and helped lead the Washington Mystics over the Chicago Sky 65-61 in overtime on Saturday night. Washington found itself down several times in the game.

Monique Currie is low-key about her lofty output for Mystics
To Monique Currie, her emergence as arguably the Washington Mystics' best player this season was necessary.

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65-61 OT

now that is a low score!

FeverWeek.net - because it's getting hot in here.

by Sam James on Jun 21, 2010 2:30 PM EDT reply actions

Rookie Jacinta Monroe out 6-8 weeks

http://www.wnba.com/mystics/news/jacinta_monroe_undergoes_succe_2010_06_21.html

This would seem to put them in a bad spot with Beard already out.

In any event, hope she gets well soon!

SwishAppeal.com, women's basketball...covered SBN-style... twitter: @qmccall3

by Nate Parham on Jun 21, 2010 5:57 PM EDT reply actions

More on Monroe's injury from Katie Carerra

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/mystics-insider/2010/06/plank_on_monroes_injury_well_a.html

For those keeping track at home that brings the number of healthy players on the Mystics’ roster to nine. Although Monroe didn’t average significant minutes (7.5 per game), the injury strikes a blow to the Mystics’ depth just as the team prepares for a stretch of six games in 10 days beginning on Thursday against Los Angeles.

Don’t expect Washington to make any hasty roster moves, though. If Taylor’s comments this evening are any indication, there may not be any subsequent moves at all.

“With the surgery just happening today, we’ll wait to see what the doctors say and what [athletic trainer] Navin [Hettiarachchi] about the recovery,” Taylor said. "It will be tough with just nine players on the roster but we have to do what’s best for the team overall. We don’t have to do anything and it gives her a chance to get stronger, get healthy and we’ll take a look at how her being out will affect us six weeks from now.

SwishAppeal.com, women's basketball...covered SBN-style... twitter: @qmccall3

by Nate Parham on Jun 21, 2010 9:36 PM EDT up reply actions

I can see where they're coming from (not wanting to make a roster change)

Especially since they only go eight deep anyway (five starters plus Melvin, Ajavon, and Coleman). Monroe’s no big loss for them except in practice (when the starters could use a breather). If push comes to shove, they could always cut Houts (which I imagine they’ll do anyway at some point before rosters are finalized) and pick up an extra body on a per-week basis.

But man, they’re down two lefties! They’d better put Lang in a bubble!

by just checkin on Jun 22, 2010 1:32 AM EDT up reply actions