Swish Appeal: All Posts by Cayleigh GriffinBasketball is basketball.https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/49391/swish-fave.png2015-11-05T11:00:03-05:00https://www.swishappeal.com/authors/cayleigh-griffin/rss2015-11-05T11:00:03-05:002015-11-05T11:00:03-05:00Big East Preview
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<figcaption>David Banks-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Big East has a great year last year, how will the conference fare this year?</p> <p></p>
<p>Although the BIG EAST has no teams in the first AP poll of the year, don't expect that for long. USA Today has the DePaul Blue Demons coming in at #22 and St. John's, Seton Hall, and Villanova all receiving votes. With the non-conference slate tipping off next week, let's take a look at what fans can expect from BIG EAST Women's Basketball this season:</p>
<p><br> <b>1. DePaul -</b> The Blue Demons were picked #1 overall in the BIG EAST Preseason Coaches Poll, after winning the BIG EAST Tournament title a season ago. DePaul loses the BIG EAST Player of the Year in 2015, Brittany Hrynko, who found herself a spot on the Tulsa Shock in the WNBA (now Dallas Wings).</p>
<p>However, the team does return three key starters in Megan Podkowa, Chanise Jenkins and Jessica January. Both Podkowa and Jenkins were named to the Preseason All-BIG EAST team. Podkowa, a three-year starter, was named the Most Outstanding Player during last year's BIG EAST Tournament, and will arguably be the best post player returning to the conference.</p>
<p>Jenkins spent her summer playing for Team USA at the World University Games, which won gold with a perfect 6-0 record. Filling the void that Hrynko leaves will be a challenge, but Doug Bruno's club has the pieces to make it work.</p>
<p><b>2. St. John's -</b> The Red Storm was picked to finish second overall in the conference this season in the Preseason Coaches Poll. St. John's senior Aliyyah Handford was selected as the Preseason Player of the Year in the BIG EAST, with teammate Danaejah Grant being selected to the Preseason All-BIG EAST team.</p>
<p>The Red Storm will likely look to play a more fast-paced tempo with a guard-heavy lineup that will have to fill the void of Amber Thompson, who led the BIG EAST in rebounding a season ago with 10.9 per game. Coach Joe Tartamella adds two new assistants to the program that will help develop his players even further.</p>
<p>Tasha Pointer, a superstar at Rutgers during her playing days and an assistant to Vivian Stringer for the past eight seasons, joins the Red Storm program after helping the Scarlet Knights claim the WNIT two seasons ago. Da'Shena Stevens also finds herself at St. John's.</p>
<p>She is the sixth all-time leading scorer at the school and one of the best players in St. John's women's basketball history. She hopes to continue to build St. John's into a powerhouse women's basketball school.</p>
<p><b>3. Villanova -</b> The Wildcats lose three starters to graduation, yet find themselves at #3 in the Preseason Coaches Poll, after making it to the quarterfinals of the WNIT last season, a lot due in part to the return of Caroline Coyer. Coyer, a Preseason All-BIG EAST selection and All-BIG EAST First Team selection a season ago, is one of the most experienced guards in the league.</p>
<p>She was selected to be a part of Team USA for the Pan Am Games over the summer, alongside the likes of Breanna Stewart and Moriah Jefferson. She, alongside twin sister Katherine, will be the go-to leaders for this young program.</p>
<p>Coach Perretta knows his team is young, and believes it may take some time for his team to get used to the system that Villanova runs. However, if his team can remain injury-free, he feels that they have a solid chance at making a run for an NCAA bid.</p>
<p><b>4. Creighton -</b> On paper, Coach Flanery's team is a tough choice for the #4 pick in the BIG EAST, because of how young they are. However, it doesn't hurt that the Jays still have one of the best players in college basketball back for one last season in Marissa Janning.</p>
<p>Janning, the 2014 BIG EAST Player of the Year and a Preseason All-BIG EAST Selection, is one of just two seniors and five upperclassmen on the roster, but is a tremendous leader who has the ability to make the big plays when her team needs her to.</p>
<p>Sophomore Sydney Lamberty joins Janning on the Preseason All-BIG EAST team, and while there are ten underclassmen, many saw action a season ago and know what it takes to compete in this gritty conference.</p>
<p><b>5. Seton Hall - </b>The reigning BIG EAST Regular Season Champions find themselves in the middle of the pack in the Preseason Coaches Poll after a stellar 2014-15 season. Head Coach Tony Bozzella put the Pirates back on the map, leading his team back to the NCAA tournament with an at-large bid.</p>
<p>Gone are the likes of Ka-Deidre Simmons and Daisha Simmons, but Tabatha Richardson-Smith, an All-BIG EAST Second Team selection a season ago and Preseason All-BIG EAST selection, is back and ready to lead this team. Expect to see a lot of new faces this year, but not inexperienced players.</p>
<p>The Pirates add Tiffany Jones (ASA Junior College), Aleesha Powell (Iona), and Shakena Richardson (Florida State) to their lineup, all with proven collegiate basketball success who are ready to step in and fill the holes left by graduation.</p>
<p><b>6. Xavier -</b> The Musketeers are looking to make some noise in the BIG EAST this season. They return their two leading scorers from a year ago in Preseason All-BIG EAST selection Briana Glover and Raeshaun Gaffney. The team as a whole is rather young, with nine underclassmen, but Coach Neal is very optimistic about his team's success this year.</p>
<p>The team ranked ninth nationally last season in win improvement, with ten additional wins from the season before. The team went 4-0 over the summer on an international trip to Canada and looks to make some noise in the conference this season.</p>
<p><b>7. Georgetown -</b> After finishing at the bottom of the BIG EAST a season ago, the Hoyas were picked seventh in the Preseason Coaches Poll, as they return a star in last year's BIG EAST Freshman of the Year, Dorothy Adomako. Adomako was selected to the Preseason All-BIG EAST team after leading the Hoyas in both points and rebounds last season and was the only freshman to be named to an all-conference team a year ago.</p>
<p>The team found success on their European tour over the summer — a promising start for Coach Natasha Adair in her second season with the program.</p>
<p><b>8. Butler - </b>The Bulldogs finished sixth a season ago but find themselves coming in at #8 in the Preseason Coaches Poll. The team finds their leadership in their two upperclassmen, seniors Blaire Langlois and Belle Obert. Langlois was selected to the Preseason All-BIG EAST team.</p>
<p>Coach Godlevske has a very young team, with six freshmen and two sophomores, and will rely heavily on his two seniors to lead this program this season. Of the six freshmen entering the program, Brittany Ward has high expectations on her shoulders. She was selected as the Preseason BIG EAST Freshman of the Year.</p>
<p><b>9. Marquette -</b> The Golden Eagles return just two players from last year's team, so there is a lot of unknown for Coach Carolyn Kieger's team this season. Marquette's roster features no seniors, but they will rely on the leadership of junior McKayla Yenta and sophomore Shantelle Valentine.</p>
<p><b>10. Providence - </b>The Friars round out the Preseason Coaches Poll at number ten. The Friars have guard Sarah Beal on the Preseason All-BIG EAST team after she sat out most of last season with an injury. Captains Evi Iiskola and Aliyah Miller also serve as experienced returners for the team. Coach Susan Robinson Fruchtl welcomes five freshmen to the program and has high expectations for her girls this season.</p>
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https://www.swishappeal.com/2015/11/5/9665862/big-east-womens-basketball-previewCayleigh Griffin2015-09-28T10:54:19-04:002015-09-28T10:54:19-04:00Tamika Catchings is 'Superwoman'
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<figcaption>Frank McGrath/Indiana Fever</figcaption>
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<p>Tamika Catchings has been "Superwoman" for the Indiana Fever. But there has been one nemesis, essentially her kryptonite: Bill Laimbeer. Yesterday, she wouldn't be denied.</p> <p></p>
<p>If there was any doubt that Tamika Catchings could not carry the load for her Fever team against <span>Bill Laimbeer</span>, it was certainly erased on Sunday. With her team trailing by 18 points in the second quarter, the veteran guard did what she does best — take control of the game.</p>
<p>Of her 25 points in the game, 23 were scored in the final 22 minutes. That statistic alone shows her experience, excellence, and will to win.</p>
<p>Coach Stephanie White challenged her team to play as if they were in battle, fighting for something. This game could have been the team's final one of the 2015 season if they came away with a loss. Catchings wanted to start the second half over, as if it were a new game, and she meant that quite literally.</p>
<p>"At halftime, I took off my shoes like, ‘okay we're going to start all the way over.' If I could have taken off my uniform, I probably would have done that too. But I took off my shoes and just kind of like relaxed, slow down, thinking about the day and just everything and what I've given to the game and what my teammates needed from me," said Catchings.</p>
<p>The Fever team that took the court in the second half was one that fans had not seen in the first. They played inspired, as if fighting for something, with Catchings leading the charge.</p>
<p>"I'm just really proud of our team for our effort in the second half," said Coach White. "I thought for whatever reason we came out very flat. In the first half, we came out almost content looking. And it's not really acceptable. And we challenged them in the locker room at halftime to come out with a fire, with the competitive spirit that we've shown all season long and we did.</p>
<p>"And of course, you know led by Tamika (Catchings) and her warrior mentality. Really, she just challenged everybody to come with more intensity."</p>
<p>The 14-year veteran has experience that not many WNBA players will ever have. The 36-year old <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.indystar.com%2Fstory%2Fsports%2Fbasketball%2Fwnba%2F2014%2F10%2F03%2Findiana-fevers-tamika-catchings-to-retire-in-2016%2F16645021%2F&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.swishappeal.com%2F2015%2F9%2F28%2F9408373%2Fsuperwoman-tamika-catchings-overcomes-kryptonite" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">plans to play in the 2016 Olympics</a>, bringing her Olympic games total up to four. As for now, her eye is on the immediate prize — the 2015 WNBA title. The team won it back in 2012, and are battling in the Eastern Conference Finals for the fifth straight year.</p>
<p>She comes in as a highly respected player — one that current WNBA stars look up to. Tina Charles noted the shift in the fourth quarter, sparked by Catchings, and how her leadership was able to get her team into a rhythm. "Me growing up, watching Tamika (Catchings), she's very resilient, willing the team to a win and to a victory.</p>
<p>"I knew she was going to turn it up to take over the game and then the rest of the guys, it was just going to be a snowball effect, and they were going to fill in where necessary. And that's exactly what they did."</p>
<p>Catchings struggled throughout the season, due to a nagging back injury throughout the year, but has peaked in the playoffs. She became the first player in WNBA history to reach the 1,000 playoff point mark.</p>
<p>Records are something that Catchings likes to break. She's played in a record 10 All-Star games, and hit the 1,000 career steals mark back in August, the first in the WNBA to do so. Probably the most notable statistic one can find is that Catchings recorded the first ever quintuple-double, with 25 points, 18 rebounds, 11 assists, 10 blocks, and 10 steals back in 1997.</p>
<p>There is no question that Tamika Catchings is one of the best ever to play the game. She is undeniably one of, if not the best, player on the court at all times/ Yet, as her team heads into game three of the Eastern Conference Finals, she credits her team.</p>
<p>"Today was just an example of the fight and the grit and the character of this team...I'm really proud of my team. I'm really proud of my teammates. And just the grit that we all showed in coming out and just like hey if we're going to go out, we're going to go out with a bang. And here we are going to game three."</p>
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https://www.swishappeal.com/2015/9/28/9408373/superwoman-tamika-catchings-overcomes-kryptoniteCayleigh Griffin2015-09-13T15:41:30-04:002015-09-13T15:41:30-04:00Bone drops 31, propels Sun to win in season finale
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<figcaption>Chris Poss</figcaption>
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<p>Early on it looked like the Chicago Sky and Elena Delle Donne were going to invade Connecticut, and defeat the Sun. But in this regular season finale, Kelsey Bone had other plans. </p> <p><b>Uncasville, CT --</b> The WNBA regular season came to a close for the Chicago Sky and Connecticut Sun on Sunday afternoon. Chicago had already clinched the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference, and although Connecticut's season was ending after Sunday's game, they refused to go down without a fight. The Sun shone a little brighter, defeating the Sky, 86-75.</p>
<p>"When you've lost as many in a row as we have and have gone through a season like we have, it's tough," said Kelsey Bone. "But you look up and see this arena filled, knowing we aren't going to the playoffs, and these fans are still out here supporting you, it means a lot and you have to go out and figure it out. That was my mentality, go out and end with a bang."</p>
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<b>Related</b>: <a href="http://www.swishappeal.com/2015/9/14/9320141/injuries-rain-on-sun-season-brigther-days-future">Injuries rain on Sun's season -- but brighter days are ahead</a>
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<p>The Sky jumped out to a 22-19 lead after the first quarter behind a relatively balanced attack of scorers. It was unclear whether or not Delle Donne, the league's new leading scorer, would play due to a foot injury, but she made her presence known throughout the second quarter.</p>
<p>Delle Donne went into the half having already scored 19 points as Chicago held on to a 47-42 lead. Connecticut managed to keep it close in the first half, with 18 points by Kelsey Bone, which allowed for their strong comeback in the second half.</p>
<p>Bone and Jasmine Thomas exchanged jump shots to start the third quarter, followed by a layup by Bone, pulling the Sun within one of Chicago at the 8:47 mark. Connecticut broke ahead with 8:13 remaining as Camille Little drilled a three-pointer to give the Sun a 51-49 advantage.</p>
<p>Both teams traded baskets back and forth throughout the quarter, which saw six lead changes. Delle Donne hit two key three-pointers in the quarter to keep the Sky within striking range, and headed into the fourth quarter with 27 points. Chicago held a 66-64 lead with 1:32 remaining after a Clarissa Dos Santos layup, but with just one second left in the quarter, Chelsea Gray nailed a jump shot to tie the game, 66-66.</p>
<p>The fourth quarter was all about Bone. She started off scoring four quick points, but it was her "and-one" reverse layup that sparked a fire within the Sun. With five minutes left on the game clock, Allie Quigley nailed a three-pointer to bring the Sky back within five, but a string of fouls allowed Connecticut to continue to build on their lead.</p>
<p>The Sun pulled ahead 82-73 after a Kelly Faris free throw with 3:46 remaining, prompting a timeout by the Sky. Chicago continued to struggle from the floor, missing two jump shots and allowing Connecticut to convert on offensive rebounds. At the 2:25 mark, the Sky replaced its lineup, with Connecticut following suit with 57.5 seconds remaining.</p>
<p>Both teams shot exactly 6-for-17 from behind the arc on the game, with Chicago holding a rebounding advantage, 36-32. The Sun's Kelsey Bone led all scorers with 31 points, with teammate Camille Little finishing with 15 points. Alyssa Thomas was just shy of a double-double for Connecticut, adding nine points and nine rebounds.</p>
<p>"She is such a powerful presence inside," said Delle Donne. "You can never just guard her with one person because if you do she is going to make you pay for it. I do not think we did a good enough job helping off of her, because she is not player you can guard one on one."</p>
<p>The Sky was led by Delle Donne, who finished with 28 points and five rebounds. No other player scored in double figures for Chicago, but Erika de Souza was close to that double-double mark, with nine points and nine rebounds, as well.</p>
<p>The Sun finishes their season 15-19, but does take the series lead with Chicago for the year, 3-2.</p>
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https://www.swishappeal.com/2015/9/13/9319657/bone-scores-31-outshines-delle-donne-sun-sky-finaleCayleigh Griffin2015-09-06T21:32:03-04:002015-09-06T21:32:03-04:00Liberty are East's No. 1 seed
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<figcaption>Chris Poss</figcaption>
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<p>In a battle between the two best teams in the WNBA, the New York Liberty went on the road and pulled out a tough win against the Minnesota Lynx. </p> <p></p>
<p>It was a battle of the WNBA's top teams on Sunday night, with the New York Liberty taking down the Minnesota Lynx, 75-71. Minnesota came in one game behind New York in the race for home-court advantage throughout the playoffs. With the win, the Liberty (22-9) continued to pull ahead of the Lynx (21-11) -- and clinched the number one seed in the East.</p>
<p>It was unclear if the reigning league MVP Maya Moore would make an appearance in Sunday's matchup after leaving Friday's win over Indiana in the third quarter when she took an elbow to the face.</p>
<p>She seemed very much unfazed by the injury, scoring 12 points in the opening quarter as Minnesota pulled ahead for an early lead, 21-19. The team shot 50% from the field, going 8-for-16, and 50% from behind the arc (3-for-6).</p>
<p>The second quarter saw eight lead changes as both teams battled on the floor, but it was the Lynx that held on to a 43-39 lead at the intermission. Moore continued to lead all scorers, with 16 points, with the unsung hero of the first half being Renee Montgomery, who scored nine points and dished out six assists.</p>
<p>Epiphany Prince led the charge for New York in the first half, scoring 11 points while shooting 50% from the floor. The Liberty held the advantage on the boards, 18-13, due to the aggressive play on the glass by Tina Charles, who grabbed seven rebounds to go along with 11 points.</p>
<p>New York came out strong in the second half, as Tanisha Wright scored five straight points, and a Tina Charles' jumper brought the team within two. Prince followed up with five points of her own as the Liberty jumped out to a four-point lead. A Swin Cash layup with 4:19 remaining prompted a Minnesota timeout.</p>
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<b>Related</b>: <a href="http://www.swishappeal.com/2015/9/6/9271129/self-defense-libertys-defense-opponents-objection">Self Defense: Liberty's defense is opponents objection</a>
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<p>The Lynx gathered some momentum at the end of the quarter, with Sylvia Fowles and Moore each scoring off of strong takes to the hole. However, the Liberty held on for a 63-59 lead heading into the fourth, as Tina Charles already secured a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds after three-quarters.</p>
<p>New York extended their lead to six to open up the final quarter, but a Moore three and a Fowles layup brought the Lynx within one with 5:50 remaining. The two teams traded baskets, and a Montgomery free throw kept Minnesota within two, with 2:36 remaining.</p>
<p>Minnesota called a timeout with 31.7 seconds remaining in the game, looking to set up something after nearly two minutes of both teams exchanging fouls and missed shots. A rare turnover by Moore with 16 seconds remaining forced Rebekkah Brunson to foul. Sugar Rodgers was sent to the line and finished both free throws, to extend New York's lead to four.</p>
<p>Tina Charles led the charge for New York, finishing her double-double with 18 points and 14 rebounds. Epiphany Prince also scored 18 points, while dishing out six assists, and Tanisha Wright added 16 points and seven assists. Maya Moore led all scorers in the game, finishing with 23 points, with teammate Sylvia Fowles finishing just shy of a double-double, with 19 points and nine rebounds.</p>
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https://www.swishappeal.com/wnba/2015/9/6/9270863/battle-royal-liberty-survive-lynx-clinch-east-1-seedCayleigh Griffin2015-09-04T22:31:26-04:002015-09-04T22:31:26-04:00Fowles, Lynx blowout Fever
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<figcaption>David Sherman, Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The Minnesota Lynx overwhelmed the Indiana Fever 81-65. Their midseason acquisition, Sylvia Fowles, was just too much for the Fever tonight. </p> <p></p>
<p>The Minnesota Lynx is closing in on another first-place finish in the Western Conference after taking down the Indiana Fever, 81-65, on Friday night. Fans were anxious to see what Minnesota could do after losing Lindsey Whalen last Sunday in the team's victory over Phoenix.</p>
<p>Although Whalen and Seimone Augustus, both starters for the Lynx, are out with injuries, the team showed they could still get the job done and remain hopeful that both players will return for the playoffs.</p>
<p>Minnesota held a 22-20 advantage after the first quarter, paced by Sylvia Fowles' seven points and five rebounds. The team shot 50% from behind the arc, led by Maya Moore, who was a perfect 2-2.</p>
<p>The Lynx outscored the Fever 19-12 in the second quarter to extend the halftime lead to nine, 41-32. Fowles continued to be a dominant force, leading the team with twelve points and eight rebounds.</p>
<p>Indiana was able to force ten turnovers in the first half, but struggled to capitalize off of those plays. However, it seemed to be Minnesota's 22-13 rebounding advantage at the half that ultimately made the difference in the score. Marissa Coleman paced the Fever in the first half with nine points, but the Lynx's defense allowed her to score just two points in the second quarter.</p>
<p>Minnesota pushed its lead to 14 after the third, leading 60-46, but the Fever looked ready for a comeback in the fourth, after Coleman drilled a three-pointer with 5:53 remaining to bring the team within ten.</p>
<p>Indiana continued its push after a Minnesota timeout, with Shenise Johnson knocking down a jumper to bring the game within eight. However, Tricia Liston scored five straight points, and assisted on a drive by Fowles, to force the Lynx's lead back up to 14.</p>
<p>Fowles led all scorers, finishing with a double-double, 18 points, and 14 rebounds. Rebekkah Brunson also contributed a double-double for Minnesota, with 14 points and 11 rebounds. Marissa Coleman paced the Fever with 16 points, while Tamika Catchings was just shy of a double-double, finishing with 10 points and nine rebounds.</p>
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https://www.swishappeal.com/wnba/2015/9/4/9264435/big-syl-fowles-double-double-power-lynx-wnba-scoresCayleigh Griffin