Swish Appeal: All Posts by Candace MartinoBasketball is basketball.https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/49391/swish-fave.png2016-08-07T14:49:15-04:00https://www.swishappeal.com/authors/candace-martino/rss2016-08-07T14:49:15-04:002016-08-07T14:49:15-04:00Closer look at Team USA’s 1st win
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<p>The National team looked great in their first game of the Rio Olympics. But the real question is, what really stood out as Team USA dominated in their first game: their offensive efficiency. </p> <p id="gGJ2Bw"><strong>Rio de Janiero, Brazil</strong> - Team USA (1-0) began their quest for six Olympic gold medals on Sunday facing Senegal (0-1) for the first time since the 1974 World Games. This time around wouldn't be any different, as the red, white, and blue shattered their all-time scoring record of 114 points, which was set back in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. </p>
<p id="9r9MNe">Team USA dominated in all 40 minutes of play, accounting for six players to finish in double-digits, as they marched to a 121-53 win. The 65-point victory margin would be the largest in U.S Olympic history, previously set at 60.</p>
<p id="5VuFbX">Diana Taurasi called for rain early in the first period when she caught fire from the three-point line hitting four straight shots that would eventually set her up to tie a record of her own. Taurasi finished the game with 15 points, shooting 5-of-7 from three-point range - good enough to match her U.S Olympic single-game record for three's made in a game at five. </p>
<p id="Ncd5Jt">The efficient ball movement for Team USA opened up the floor both inside-and-out, allowing for 66 points to be scored in the paint. The U.S shot 65 percent from the field and dished out 36 assists guided by veteran point guard Sue Bird’s eight. </p>
<p id="mOZHNQ">Breanna Stewart and Brittney Griner made their Olympic debuts in great fashion, finishing with 15 and 14 points, respectively. Stewart came off the bench sparking Team USA with a burst of offensive production knocking down 5-of-6 of her shots but the offensive end wasn't the only thing going for the U.S.</p>
<p id="dS20lU"> Their man-to-man coverage forced 27 turnovers holding Senegal to a 35 percent shooting percentage.</p>
<p id="ZpYYmb">Sylvia Fowles helped out with 15 points and tied a game-high seven rebounds. Angel McCoughtry and Elena Delle Donne both pitched in 11 points each.</p>
<p id="KobAJ0">The U.S women continue preliminary round play against Spain at 11 a.m. ET on August 8.</p>
https://www.swishappeal.com/2016/8/7/12397692/analysis-team-usa-olympics-2016-rioCandace Martino2016-07-20T19:40:25-04:002016-07-20T19:40:25-04:00Money Mone is back!
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<p>The Minnesota Lynx held nothing back, as they jumped on the Atlanta Dream. The Dream are coming off of their biggest win thus far this season after taking down the red hot LA Sparks. On a night that Maya Moore struggled to score, Seimone Augustus stepped up to fill the void. </p> <p></p>
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<p><b>Minneapolis, MN</b> -<span>€”</span> Students from around the metro area flooded Target Center on Wednesday afternoon decked out in fluorescent colors for the annual ‘Camp Day' matinee. The Atlanta Dream (12-12) who was in search of another upset win tried to <span>slow down</span> the red-hot Minnesota Lynx (20-4), but for the third <span>time,</span> this season they <span>steamrolled</span> to 83-65 victory in front of a boisterous home crowd.</p>
<p>The Lynx sent a message right from the jump, as Rebekkah Brunson muscled her way on the <span>low</span> block dominating both ends of the boards, proving why <span>she's</span> ranked third in the league <span>for</span> offensive rebounding. Brunson's efforts allowed the Lynx the opportunity to build momentum right before opening the second quarter with a 21-14 lead.</p>
<p>With nine minutes to go in the first half, Sylvia Fowles converted a three-point play that sparked a 12-2 run for the Lynx, as Minnesota led by at least eight points the rest of the way.</p>
<p>Fowles <span>wasn't</span> the only Lynx player to get hot, as Seimone Augustus <span>showcased</span> her top-notch scoring abilities finishing with a game-high 19 points on 8-of-12 shooting. The second-ranked Lynx had 22 assists on 29 field goals, shooting 51 percent compared to Atlanta's 38.3 percent, including 2-of-12 from 3-point range.</p>
<p>Layshia Clarendon lead the way for Atlanta with 11 points, followed by Tiffany Hayes with nine points.</p>
<p>Minnesota now ties the Los Angeles Sparks with the league record for most consecutive 20 win seasons at six. Currently, the Lynx have a <span>five-game</span> winning streak.</p>
https://www.swishappeal.com/wnba/2016/7/20/12241276/lynx-lockdown-dream-defensive-clinicCandace Martino2016-06-29T10:06:42-04:002016-06-29T10:06:42-04:00Pat Summitt: You are the GREATEST!
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<p>The all-time winningest coach in Division 1 college basketball history has passed away Tuesday morning after spending five years battling her biggest opponent. Pat Summitt has died at the age of 64 at a senior living facility located in Knoxville Tennessee, peacefully surrounded by those who loved her most. </p> <p></p>
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<p>Five years after being diagnosed with early onset dementia, the Associated Press reports Hall of Fame coach Pat Summitt has died Tuesday morning at the age of 64.</p>
<p>Before stepping down in 2012, Summitt guided the Tennessee Lady Volunteers in 38 seasons to winning eight national titles and accounting for 1,098 wins making it the most by any coach in Division 1 history, male or female.</p>
<p>At the time of her retirement, she ranked behind the <span>10</span> national championships won by former UCLA men's coach John Wooden, and now UConn's Geno <span>Auriemma,</span> who passed her after she retired.</p>
<p>Beyond the statistics and wins, Summitt had a fervent impact on women's college basketball. She battled the disease the same way she did with her opponents on the court, fierce and determined.</p>
<p>Her legacy extends far beyond the sidelines; she was a leader who embedded <span>the true definition of</span> what it meant to have a good character and poise. Many would say her legacy is measured far beyond what she has done <span>at</span> Tennessee, but by the younger generations of men and women who admire and respect Summitt's competitive nature, that drove them to work harder in their <span>own</span> unique way.</p>
<p>Her impressive coaching record began building in 1974 when she became the head coach of the Lady Vols. She was only 22 years old, barely older than the <span>players,</span> she would be coaching. At the time, Summitt was paid $8,900 per year and fought with education classes for practice space in the gymnasium.</p>
<p>During the peak of Title IX, Summitt became the face of women's college basketball and helped prove why they could be just as successful as the men. In 2006 Summitt became the first women's basketball coach to break through the million-dollar salary mark with an annual total of $1.125 million.</p>
<p>After stepping aside, longtime assistant Holly Warlick took over, as the University honored Summitt with a bronze statue on Pat Summitt Plaza.</p>
<p>This legend will never be forgotten.</p>
https://www.swishappeal.com/2016/6/29/12055534/pat-summitt-fighterCandace Martino2016-06-07T23:21:02-04:002016-06-07T23:21:02-04:00Lynx bring out the brooms
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<figcaption>Michael Hickey/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The Phoenix Mercury got off to a hot start against the Minnesota Lynx. They weren't able to capitalize and a big second half from Sylvia Fowles, Renee Montgomery and Maya Moore granted the Lynx another victory over the Mercury, sweeping them on the year. </p> <p></p>
<p><b>Minneapolis, MN -</b> The Minnesota Lynx (8-0) put their perfect record on the line Tuesday night, as they played host to the Phoenix Mercury, (2-6) for the second time this season. Minnesota fell behind early, but clawed back late in the second half to overcome Phoenix, 89-81.</p>
<p>With Olympians accounted for on both rosters it came to no surprise that an intense 40 minutes of up-and-down play was in store. The Phoenix Mercury didn't waste any time cashing in early during the first ten minutes, igniting a 6-0 run.</p>
<p>With a 14-6 lead building, Minnesota turned to a rather new face, Jia Perkins, who came off the bench with the answers. Perkins knocked down a three-pointer after getting fouled by DeWanna Bonner and would go to the charity stripe to cap off a four-point play.</p>
<p>"They have a really good bench, and we left [Jia] Perkins open once and we left Renee [Montgomery] open once," Phoenix Mercury Head Coach Sandy Brondello said. "These were little mental breakdowns, and we are still getting our chemistry together, but their bench really helped them out tonight."</p>
<p>This gave Maya Moore the opportunity to knot the game at 15, when she drained a deep corner three to keep the defending WNBA Champions within striking distance. The Lynx went on an 11-3 run to end the quarter, after shooting only 26 percent from the field, compared to the Mercury's 50 percent.</p>
<p>"If told me we shot 37 percent playing Phoenix, I would have told you we lost by 20, Lynx Head Coach Cheryl Reeve said. "That's what I told the team I was particularly proud of, just finding a way, because it wasn't like we were getting bad shots.</p>
<p>I just thought that for whatever reason, Phoenix's defense for sure, they went to another level today and put us under duress. They were a big reason why our percentage was low."</p>
<p>Phoenix continued with the momentum into the second quarter, to surge a 10-0 run that pushed the lead to nine. Despite having 10 turnovers in the first 20 minutes, the Mercury held onto a 38-32 lead at the half. This marked the first time all season, Minnesota trailed headed into the locker room.</p>
<p>Phoenix opened up the third quarter in likely fashion with a 7-0 run, looking to put Minnesota away. Foul trouble kept Brittney Griner on the bench, freeing up Sylvia Fowles to go to work in the paint.</p>
<p>"This was a good time on my behalf. [Brunson] had some runs, Whalen had some good runs... at that point in time, this was my time to just take over the game, and my teammates had an understanding of how to get me the ball and where I need to be at the right time," said Fowles.</p>
<p>Fowles finished the contest with 21 points, shooting a near perfect percentage from the line by going 9-for10, giving the Lynx's their highest points scored this season in a quarter at 31.</p>
<p>Perkins hit a late three-pointer to pull the Lynx within one, but Phoenix quickly responded with a three of their own. After a dramatic third quarter, the Mercury went into the final 10 minutes with a two-point lead, 65-63.</p>
<p>A late surge by Moore, put Minnesota back in the lead for the first time since the 8:50 mark in the second quarter. A 12-2 Minnesota run silenced the Mercury, as they began to pull away. Moore finished with a game-high 21 points and eight rebounds.</p>
<p>One player attributes their comeback to their mindset and belief in one another. "We always believe we can win, and I think that has a lot to do with winning when you never think you're down and out," Minnesota Lynx Renee Montgomery said. "I think it's a trust factor."</p>
<p>Minnesota had five players finish in double digits, including Renee Montgomery with 18 points, Rebekkah Brunson with 12, and Perkins with 11. Griner lead Phoenix with 14 points and six boards, while Bonner and Diana Taurasi pitched in 14 and 12 points, respectively.</p>
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https://www.swishappeal.com/wnba/2016/6/7/11880726/lynx-recover-sweep-mercuryCandace Martino2016-01-24T16:56:26-05:002016-01-24T16:56:26-05:00Romero unstoppable, rolls through Hurricanes
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<figcaption>Isabella Mesquita - Swish Appeal</figcaption>
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<p>Florida State put the pressure on Miami by taking advantage on the boards to get extra possessions and turn those possessions into points. Hayes and Motley tried to take down the Seminoles, however Romero was too much to take down.</p> <p></p>
<p><b>CORAL GABLES, Fla. - </b>It was a clash of the Sunshine State ranked rivals Sunday afternoon when the Florida State Seminoles (16-4, 6-1) went head-to-head with the University of Miami Hurricanes (17-3, 5-2) in an ACC matchup. Florida State stayed hot as they snuck away with a 69-58 victory in the Bank United Center.</p>
<p>With bragging rights and conference records on the line, the first quarter was all that it was expected to be, high paced and physical.</p>
<p>"The toughness, and grit, and the fight in both teams just showed what a great rivalry it is. And what a great job that both programs have done to move into a position with national prominence," FSU Head Coach Sue Semrau said.</p>
<p>The Hurricanes drew the first punch after Keyona Hayes nailed an elbow jumper that would soon be quickly answered by the Seminoles. Adrienne Motley propelled Miami's offense as she caught fire from beyond the arc drilling two back-to-back three-pointers giving the Hurricanes a 5-8 advantage.</p>
<p>Miami's use of multiple defensive strategies throughout the game stifled FSU's high-octane offense, but would only be enough to slow them down. It was all FSU for the rest of the quarter as they jumped out to a 17-12 lead all thanks to pushing the ball out in transition.</p>
<p>The second quarter would be no different from the start of the game, fairly evenly played but this time, would result in three lead changes. The Hurricanes received their first lead of the game since the three-minute mark in the first quarter when Motley hit a mid-range jumper.</p>
<p>FSU retaliated with a 6-0 run that was halted when Miami went on an 8-0 response building a 29-24 lead. With fewer than fifteen seconds remaining in the half, Leticia Romero knotted the game at 31 headed into the locker room.</p>
<p>The momentum carried into the third quarter for FSU when they jumped out to a seven point lead, but Miami refused to go away stringing together a pair of baskets to close the gap down to three.</p>
<p>The sloppy play resulted in Miami switching to a full-court press that caused FSU to force uncharacteristic turnovers and stumble their offensive production. Though it was FSU's defensive side of the ball that kept their composure as they forced 21 Miami turnovers.</p>
<p>"We do a drill almost every other day and its possession awareness. It's two minutes left in the game, and we are down eight we got to execute, and we do it all the time. We have two basketballs if you turn one over you only have one left, you lose that one you lose," Miami Head Coach Katie Meier said.</p>
<p>Hayes's 18-point performance tried to get things going for Miami the final 10 minutes of play but was outlasted by FSU rebounding efforts and offensive execution. The Seminoles use of clock management to finish out the game diminished the Hurricanes' hopes.</p>
<p>However, they wouldn't go away. Motley's long three-pointer pulled Miami within five right before Brittany Brown fired back swishing a three of her own. The Seminoles capped off the win with a trip to the free throw line as the final buzzer horned.</p>
<p>Florida State had four players to finish in double digits. Romero lead the way for FSU finishing with 19 points and 6 assists, followed by Shakayla Thomas's 15 points and 8 rebounds. Motley charted a game-high 20 points for Miami.</p>
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https://www.swishappeal.com/ncaa/2016/1/24/10823152/miami-falls-rival-fsu-leticia-romeroCandace Martino