Fanshots

Report: Alabama will support Simmons' waiver to play in 2014-15

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"This afternoon, The University of Alabama contacted the NCAA to inform them that the University supports Daisha Simmons' request for a waiver from the NCAA allowing her to be eligible to play basketball at Seton Hall in 2014-15. This gives the NCAA the opportunity to revisit the situation, if they so desire, and to consider information that could be provided by Miss Simmons, including documentation that could substantiate significant medical issues in her family, that could affect her ability to be granted a waiver to be eligible for competition immediately.

Alabama Director of Athletics Bill Battle

Ohio State dismisses Raven Ferguson for violation of team rules

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"I’ve enjoyed having the opportunity to coach Raven this past year," Ohio State coach Kevin McGuff said. "And it’s unfortunate that we’re at this point, but due to a violation of team rules she can no longer be a part of our program. I wish her nothing but success as she moves forward as a basketball player and as a person."

Ohio State Athletics

Mid-major: Shar'Rae Davis receives waiver, eligible to play 2014-15 season for Northern Kentucky

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"I was fortunate enough to see Shar'Rae compete and win a state championship during her high school career in Michigan," said Northern Kentucky coach Dawn Plitzuweit. "Ironically enough, we also played against Youngstown State during our first home game in our NCAA Division I era, and we were able to witness firsthand how dynamic Shar'Rae was as a guard for them. I speak on behalf of all of our coaches when I say that we are much more excited to be coaching her than coaching against her."

Northern Kentucky head coach Dawn Plitzuweit

Zellous: "They came to play. We didn’t."

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"Give credit to Chicago. They came to play. We didn’t. That’s basically it. I don’t know what else to say. I’m disappointed. We lost on our home court, yet again. Faced the same thing last year. We have to wait until next year. Chicago is a good team and they just came out and played."

Indiana Fever guard Shavonte Zellous on her team's loss to the Chicago Sky in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals (via a Chicago Sky release). For more on the game and the series, check out our Fever vs. Sky storystream.

Chicago's fourth quarter comeback made history

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Chicago trailed in Atlanta tonight by 16 points at the end of the third quarter (67-51) but outscored the Dream 30-13 in the fourth quarter to win, 81-80. This was the first time since the league switched from "two halves" to "four quarters" that a team won a playoff game after trailing by at least sixteen points at the end of the third quarter. The 2006 season marked the first year of four-quarter games.

From a Chicago Sky release. For more on the series, check out our Dream vs. Sky storystream.

The real lesson of the Mo'Ne Davis story

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So while it’s great that a 13-year-old girl was treated as an accomplished athlete, I’d be more grateful if Candace Parker and Diana Taurasi, two of the greatest basketball players on earth, didn’t have to spend the winter in Russia just to make a decent living. "If only we had a Davis every single day in the media for girls," King says.

Davis’s real future, once the androgens kick in, will probably consist of a long fight for funding, audience and decent pay, if she is lucky enough to win a scholarship to play college basketball and get to the WNBA.

From "Mo’ne Davis is out of Little League World Series, and women’s sports are shoved from spotlight" by Sally Jenkins of the Washington Post.

Storm vs. Sky final score: Seattle hangs on to beat Chicago, 80-76

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The Sky (5-4) used every available player on the bench to make up for the loss of Delle Donne and Breland, but couldn't find a working combination until late in the fourth quarter when they cut the deficit to four points with less than three minutes remaining. Still, the Storm (6-4) fought past a few turnovers to cling to a lead.

From Elena Delle Donne, Jessica Breland out in Sky loss by Blake Schuster of the Chicago Tribune

With the Sky playing without an entire frontcourt rotation - Jessica Breland and Elena Delle Donne joined Sylvia Fowles in street clothes tonight - the Storm were able to get a second consecutive win tonight. The final box score doesn't really tell the full story of this game, which was a tale of two halves: despite the Storm being outshot, outrebounded, and outscored in the post, they established a big enough lead in the first half (12 points) to get the road win.

Leticia Romero elects to transfer to FSU

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"I am proud to become a part of the Florida State family. It was apparent on my visit (that) they are a program with a great family atmosphere. I felt so comfortable and was amazed by the positive energy they transmit as a group. I feel it is an all around great fit for me and am excited for this next chapter in my playing career."

Leticia Romero

Shock vs. Mercury final score: Tulsa gets their first win of the season against Phoenix, 94-78

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"This is Tulsa Shock basketball tonight," said Diggins. "We were showing the league we are a force to be reckoned with."

From "Shock get 1st win in impressive fashion" (via Shocking Tulsa)

Sparks vs. Sky final score: Carol Ross explains Candace Parker not starting after 102-88 win

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"That's the only time I've ever had Candace Parker coming off the bench; she turned her ankle and she couldn't practice yesterday, and today she ran and was still hobbling so I just made an early decision. By game time she was ready to go. In this particular case, we got better when we subbed."

L.A. Sparks coach Carol Ross describing why Candace Parker didn't start after a 102-88 win in Chicago (via Chicago Sky release) The visitors got a big win In a game with milestones for both the Sparks and the Sky.