Swish Appeal: All Posts by Sydney ShadrixBasketball is basketball.https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/49391/swish-fave.png2017-12-04T00:45:45-05:00https://www.swishappeal.com/authors/sydney-shadrix/rss2017-12-04T00:45:45-05:002017-12-04T00:45:45-05:00Longhorns hand Georgia its first loss
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<figcaption>Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p><em>No. 2 Texas and Georgia went head-to-head in a battle of the undefeated teams Sunday afternoon. Thanks to a collective team effort, the Longhorns extended its streak one more game. </em></p> <p id="MXFxFF"><strong>Athens, GA —</strong> Two undefeated teams went head-to-head earlier today, as No. 2 Texas took on the Georgia Lady Bulldogs in Athens. </p>
<p id="k8mh1g">Unfortunately for Georgia, Texas' stellar — and nationally recognized — offense was too much for the Lady Bulldogs to handle, as Georgia fell to 7-1 after losing 81-53 to Texas (7-0).</p>
<p id="WdGDpN">The Longhorns’ offense carried them to the dominating victory with Ariel Atkins leading the way. Atkins was the top scorer for Texas with 17 points. Interestingly enough, Georgia's star player of the evening, Mackenzie Engram, also scored 17 points. For Engram, this team-high was only one point short of her season-high. She also contributed defensively to the team, with two blocks and two steals. </p>
<p id="wac7bI">However, Engram’s defensive performance was not enough to combat Texas — a team that averages 95.0 points per game. In fact, the 81 points from Texas against Georgia marked its second lowest scoring output this season. </p>
<p id="kPZGb9"> Why? The answer: Georgia’s defense.</p>
<p id="Wss3Ob">“Georgia has played better defensively early in the year than we have,” said Texas head coach Karen Aston. "We’ve had some moments where we haven’t been great, so I was interested to see how our offense would stack up to a really great defense."</p>
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/SwishAppeal/videos/10155390727173229/"></a><p>Texas Longhorns Women's Basketball's Karen Aston talks about Texas' win today</p>Posted by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/SwishAppeal/">Swish Appeal</a> on Sunday, December 3, 2017</blockquote></div>
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<p id="sY1lrs">Even though Georgia couldn’t match up against the Longhorns offensively, they did play to their strengths and stepped up that strong defense. However, they fell short to Texas in defensive rebounds and steals, but the Lady Bulldogs blocked six shots as opposed to Texas’ five.</p>
<p id="nvis7M">A one-block difference may not seem like much, but for Georgia’s Caliya Robinson, it was quite the achievement, because four of those six blocks belonged to her. </p>
<p id="thSm3b">The drive and persistence demonstrated by Robinson was representative of Georgia's determination to fight to the finish. Although they were not able to hold on to their undefeated record, they were able to hold the Longhorns below their average in rebounds, assists per game, and steals per game. </p>
<p id="Nvu5HQ">Even though the Lady Bulldogs could not continue Georgia Athletics’ weekend winning streak after an SEC College Football Championship, Mackenzie Engram is taking the loss as a learning experience.</p>
<p id="rt4vJx">“It’s something we can learn from,” Engram said. “I would rather lose now and learn now and continue to have a better season and take this loss as a lesson.” </p>
<p id="NafqNy">After a short break, the Longhorns will take on Tennessee on Sunday, Dec. 10 while Georgia will face North Carolina A&T on Wednesday, Dec. 14. </p>
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/SwishAppeal/videos/10155390793343229/"></a><p>#Texas is REALLY GOOD! Did you see what they did today?</p>Posted by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/SwishAppeal/">Swish Appeal</a> on Sunday, December 3, 2017</blockquote></div>
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https://www.swishappeal.com/2017/12/4/16732410/texas-georgia-sec-big-12-ncaawSydney Shadrix2017-10-02T23:55:47-04:002017-10-02T23:55:47-04:00Brunson puts Minnesota on her back
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<figcaption>Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p><em>The Minnesota Lynx followed the trail set by Rebekkah Brunson en route to an 80-69 Game Four win on Sunday, setting up a winner-take-all Game Five.</em></p> <p id="dCam0a"><strong>LOS ANGELES</strong><strong>, CA -</strong><strong>-</strong><strong> </strong>As the first half came to a close, Minnesota Lynx forward Rebekkah Brunson had but one simple message for her team. </p>
<p id="FkJTI8">“Leave everything you have out there [the court],” Brunson said. “We’ve got to move around and be available for each other. That’s what we always need to do.”</p>
<p id="DfGKk4">Little did Brunson know at halftime, she would be the one to lead her team to an 80-69 victory over the Sparks and the shot at another WNBA Championship. </p>
<p id="C21PVx">Holding the record for Finals games played at 19, the 6’2” Washington D.C. native is no stranger to success and the hard work that comes along with victory. The first few minutes of Game 4 began a lot like those of Games 1 through 3. </p>
<p id="ScTSTK">The Sparks, specifically Nneka Ogwumike, set fire to the court offensively. The quick-paced Los Angeles team refused to be stopped by Minnesota’s passive defense.</p>
<p id="gCoWbh">It was then that Brunson assessed the problem and began dedicating her own personal game to fixing it. </p>
<p id="qB7NeH">“I think throughout this series, we kind of understand that rebounding is key. It's a huge part of both teams' identities, and we know that we wanted to set the tone with that,” explained Brunson in the post-game conference. She alone ended the game with 13 rebounds. That toughness and commitment to getting hands on the ball at any cost is why the Lynx took home the victory. </p>
<p id="9Sns4K">Minnesota is a team known for their grit and resilience and led by Brunson, the Lynx played Game 4 with the same sense of urgency and desperation that carried them to the play-offs. </p>
<p id="DPbn07">“You need your stars to play like stars,” said Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve after Game 3. And Brunson, being one of those stars, took that message to heart.</p>
<p id="9XXcnf">“I absolutely felt like I needed to bring more energy tonight, and I was hoping that my team would be able to feed off of that,” Brunson said. “I think that I just need to continue to go out there and be aggressive and play hard.”</p>
<p id="jOMWjc">The aggression that Brunson brought landed her 18 points, making her the second-highest scorer in the game. Once she dictated the new upbeat tempo, the rest of the team followed suit, and the Lynx couldn’t be stopped. </p>
<p id="wC1zvg">For the Lynx, a team who has been to the WNBA Finals six times in the past seven years, a 2017 championship will only add to their long list of accolades and achievements. However, a win means more for Brunson. If Minnesota takes home the 2018 title, Brunson will become the first player in history to win five WNBA Championship titles (she won her first in 2005 with the Sacramento Monarchs).</p>
<p id="IOz7ob">Even with so much at stake, Brunson is managing to keep a level head.</p>
<p id="4QFRec">“Nothing is guaranteed. It doesn't matter where you're playing, but you just have to go out there and be prepared for anything to happen. You never really know what's going to happen out there, so you just have to go out there and leave it all out there…we just have to go out there and play.”</p>
<p id="2zfLGO">Brunson and the Lynx will head back to the Williams Arena in Minneapolis to take on the Sparks in the winner-take-all Game 5 on Wednesday, Oct. 4 at 8 pm ET. </p>
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https://www.swishappeal.com/2017/10/2/16402270/criticism-fuels-rebekkah-brunson-minnesota-lynx-wnba-finalsSydney Shadrix2017-07-21T00:09:17-04:002017-07-21T00:09:17-04:00Sparks no longer flawless at home
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<figcaption>Andrew Berstein — Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p><em>With one of the last games before All-Star break, Los Angele hosted Chicago. The Sparks were seeking to move to 10-0 at home this season, while the Sky was looking to steal an another win on the road. The game came down to the wire. </em></p> <p id="QnMyBg"><strong>Los Angeles, CA --</strong> The Los Angeles Sparks: Reigning WNBA Champions, number two team in the league, and the only team in the WNBA to remain undefeated on their home court—until now. On Thursday, July 20, the Sparks’ 9-0 winning streak at home was broken, and not by just any team.</p>
<p id="TylnBj">Los Angeles took on the Chicago Sky, a team that seemed to have all of the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/odds">odds</a> stacked against them since Elena Della Donne’s move to join the Washington Mystics in February. As we all know, the Sky isn’t exactly topping the charts right now, at just 8-13 and ranked 11 in the league. </p>
<p id="qNHhjk">Not too impressive compared to their competitor, Los Angeles, who sits pretty at 14-6 and second in the league, right? Furthermore, the Chicago Sky has not won a game at the Staples Center in a whopping three years. </p>
<p id="EPN2N7">To state the obvious, the Sparks were expected to have the game in the bag- tied up in their nice package full of offensive synchronization, and quick and agile ball handling, with a victory bow on top.</p>
<p id="a6rfOa">Now, fast-forward to the end of 40 minutes of point-for-point game play, and we have the Chicago Sky not only having defeated the No. 1 Minnesota Lynx a couple weeks ago, but the No. 2 Los Angeles Sparks, as well. </p>
<p id="Ef1SLX">Talk about the rise of the underdog — and the upset of the year. </p>
<p id="4i4fNj">So, where did Los Angeles go wrong? The Sparks have a reputation of being unable to put teams away, and they lived up to that reputation against Chicago. Their defeat was nothing more than an inability to seal the deal in the face of a determined team.</p>
<p id="y5RuMt">Both teams were hot out of the gate, especially the Sparks. To nobody’s surprise, Los Angeles began the game immediately doing what they do best: getting points. For the first half, the Sparks were shooting 50-60% from the field. We even saw the power of their mighty bench, with Jantel Lavender leading the bench to 10 points in the second quarter. </p>
<p id="7H3k3N">Not shockingly, Nneka Ogwumike was the first player on the court to hit double digits, and the Sparks left the court for the locker room with a 45-35 10-point lead.</p>
<p id="LJb09J">Yet, it was in the third period where things began to go south for Los Angeles. Their downslide was not due to a lack of effort. In fact, Alana Beard came out ready to own the court defensively- and she did! Even more so, she secured the number four spot on the WNBA’s all-time steals list. </p>
<p id="uMn0c2">“Honestly, I’m not really aware of it… but it’s kind of—it’s a cool accomplishment. It speaks testaments to how I pride myself defensively.” </p>
<p id="B2LRHa">But, her effort alone was not enough to keep the headstrong Sky from doing what they knew needed to get done. The new player to watch, Allie Quigley, stepped it up from her lackluster first half and, along with Stefanie Dolson, brought Chicago back up to just a four-point deficit, with a score of 60-56.</p>
<p id="B5mPOu">Perhaps it was that unexpected Sky come back that shook the Sparks in the last 10 minutes of play -- the 10 minutes that contributed the most to their loss. In the beginning of the quarter, we saw a very disjointed offensive effort from Los Angeles. </p>
<p id="wSgoGc">In fact, in the post-game stats, Los Angeles and Chicago were fairly well matched, that is, except in assists. Los Angeles ended the game with 15, compared to Chicago’s 22. Ironically enough, it was a beautiful assist from the Sky’s Courtney Vandersloot (who hit her career high at 14 assists) to Dolson that cost the Sparks the game. </p>
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<cite>Juan Ocampo - Getty Images</cite>
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<p id="Z8IwNz">“I’ve never had a winning shot before, I’ve never made a buzzer beater. It was exciting,” Dolson said after the game. “I mean Allie set a great flare screen for me, that [got] me kinda open and it just worked you know it went in.”</p>
<p id="JGbORB">Less than two minutes into the last quarter, Chicago was on a 7-0 run, and from that point on, Los Angeles couldn’t find an answer. With seconds left on the clock, Ogwumike had two looks at a layup that would tie the game. However, her attempts proved futile against a powerful Imani Boyette, who refused to see the game go into overtime. </p>
<p id="kluyaO">“I had a good look and hoped it would go in the basket but it didn’t,” said Ogwumike. “We kept trying; I think even Candace [Parker] got a little tip after my attempts.”</p>
<p id="FiYJ5K">Ultimately, the Sparks didn’t give us a “hard-to-watch” performance. They certainly scored their points, with their three WNBA All-Star players, Ogwumike, Candace Parker, and first-time All- Star player Chelsea Grey, scoring 24, 19, and 17 points, respectively. </p>
<p id="5uYyJb">Their field goal percentage was only 1.5 less than the Sky’s at 50.0% vs. 48.5%. Yet, their hunger to win simply didn’t match that of the new and improved Chicago’s. Sometimes, even with all of the proper parts in place to succeed, you simply cannot beat a team who refuses to be stopped. </p>
<p id="ib9jZ1">“When you play a team that’s hungry in this league—there’s a lot of talent in this league on all of the teams, the hungriest teams are gonna win,” Los Angeles’ head coach Brian Agler stated on Chicago’s drive for success. </p>
<p id="K51beJ">“I mean, they’re hungry. They’re fighting for their lives to get in the playoffs and they’ve won five of their last six games now. So at the end—the majority of have been road plus they won it versus Minnesota so they, uh, they’re playing well.”</p>
<p id="bE29Dp">The Los Angeles Sparks will be back at the Staples Center against the Seattle Storm on Tuesday, July 25 at 7:30 pm PT. As for Chicago, it too returns to the court on Tuesday, as its road trip continues at Connecticut; tip-off is set for 6 pm CT. </p>
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https://www.swishappeal.com/2017/7/21/16007310/chicago-comeback-paralyzes-los-angeles-wnbaSydney Shadrix2017-07-03T00:00:01-04:002017-07-03T00:00:01-04:00No “I” in Team for Atlanta Dream
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<figcaption>Scott Cunningham/Getty</figcaption>
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<p><em>Brittney Sykes led the Atlanta Dream to a victory over the New York Liberty by embracing the power of teamwork. </em></p> <p id="xqNEsp"><strong>ATLANTA, GEORGIA-</strong> Even before the tip-off at McCamish Pavilion in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday afternoon, “Let’s Go Dream!” already echoed through the arena. </p>
<p id="4KRFC3">Fans sported their red, white, and blue, not just for the Fourth of July, but also to show their support for their Atlanta Dream. Music blared over the sound system as fans took to their feet dancing, clapping, and getting hyped for an exciting game. </p>
<p id="unMas9">Their energy was contagious, and the ladies of the Atlanta Dream definitely caught the bug. With speed, agility, and an offense that could not be stopped, the Dream’s game was hotter than “Hot-lanta’s” scorching heat. </p>
<p id="C0a6sM">Quick on their feet and even sharper with their shooting, Atlanta dominated the entire first half of the game. The star of the entire first half was Brittney Sykes, whose name seemed to be called over the intercom, every minute with another shot made. She ended the half with 12 points as the only Dream player to score double digits. </p>
<p id="Wq6VV5">Yet, Sykes did not work alone. Sancho Lyttle,- whose name is nothing short of a misnomer in itself, as she towers at 6’4”- took full advantage of her height. At any given moment, she was ready and waiting underneath the basket to clinch those rebounds. She, along with Sykes, were the main contributors to Atlanta’s 21 total rebounds in the first half- 5 offensive and a 16 defensive. </p>
<p id="LF2Rp6">The Dream not only sunk basket after basket, but they kept the ball out of the hands of their opponents and caused New York to only shoot 34.2% from the field. The Dream ran to the locker room at the half to the cheering of their die-hard fans, confident in their 47-31 lead. </p>
<p id="MC5Bo1">Yet, a team known for making remarkable comebacks in the past, the Liberty would not let the Dream run away with the win that easily. However, even with the always impressive effort of Tina Charles, who scored a total of 21 points- ten points more than the next highest New York scorer, Atlanta could simply not be stopped even into the second half. </p>
<p id="R7EgED">Most impressively was how the Dream managed to keep the ball moving, which was what Head Coach Michael Cooper called the “offensive game plan.” By sticking to the game plan, the Dream ended the game with 17 assists, led by Layshia Clarendon with 9 individually. More so, 5 of their players scored in double digits, as compared to the Liberty’s three. </p>
<p id="DEzbsk">“That’s when we know we’re playing good basketball,” said Cooper. “It’s helps you a lot. It means you’re moving the basketball, everyone is involved, and it’s fun to play that way.”</p>
<p id="MjhvDu">As much as teamwork did, literally, make the Dream work in their game against New York, the continued hustle of Sykes- from the first half until the last second- could not be overlooked. She led Atlanta in rebounds and points, with 9 and 19 respectively, by “staying aggressive, staying positive, and staying patient.” </p>
<p id="eKMg8m">Even Sykes noted the incredible teamwork of the Dream in reference to her own personal success: “I have to give credit to my teammates. They’ve stayed in my ear these past couple of practices- to do what I do best. That’s to get out of transition, to get those points for my team, to give them energy on defense, and it was working for us tonight.”</p>
<p id="l57mIu">Even though the sky seemed to be the limit for Sykes in Sunday’s matchup, it was the always-impressive teamwork of the Dream that led them to their victory after a two game losing streak. With the in sync offense, swift ball handling, and speedy play they showed against New York, Atlanta may prove to be the “Dream” team of the WNBA this season. </p>
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https://www.swishappeal.com/2017/7/3/15912112/sykes-exemplifies-atlanta-power-wnbaSydney Shadrix2017-06-30T13:00:02-04:002017-06-30T13:00:02-04:00Mystics’ bench leaves its mark
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<figcaption>Gary Dineen - NBAE/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p><em>The Washington Mystic’s Ivory Latta, Tianna Hawkins, and Natasha Cloud came off of the bench fired up and ready to lead their team to victory against the New York Liberty. </em></p> <p id="2GQTnE"><strong>Washington, DC</strong><strong> -</strong><strong>-</strong> Even with the Fourth of July only days away, fans, unfortunately, saw anything but fireworks as the Washington Mystics took on the New York Liberty in the Nation’s Capitol at the Verizon Center on Thursday night. With a final score of 67-54, the home team was ultimately able to take the victory. However, the low-scoring game left little to be desired for fans, who were looking to jump start their Fourth of July weekend excitement. </p>
<p id="2yvEOJ">Even though the Liberty and the Mystics are the top two rebounding teams in the league, neither could seem to make any shots, and the game moved like molasses as each team missed basket after basket. New York hounded Washington in the first quarter and gave them no easy looks. In fact, by the end of the first 10 minutes of play, the Mystics scored only nine points, their record low of any quarter in the season.</p>
<p id="DfXeCX">After the first quarter, however, Washington discovered what needed to be done. With both teams struggling from the field, the Mystics realized that with their shots so far off, they needed to play great defense for a chance to win -- and that is exactly what they did. </p>
<p id="fuEAbN">“As far as defense, we stuck to the game plan that [Coach Thibault] wanted us to,” explained guard Ivory Latta. “And we wanted to limit some of their star players’ touches. We started off flat but you know that’s what a team is for, when a teammate is down you have to find a way to pick them up.” </p>
<p id="fNYtT8">By the end of the game, Washington forced a total of 21 turnovers, a season high for New York. Even though the Mystics did not score on any of them, they were able to keep the ball of out the hands of the Liberty, who ultimately ended the game shooting only at 32.3%.</p>
<p id="kGIb3x">Although the Mystics field goal percentage was only 30.9, they were able to make shots where it counted. Washington was perfect from the free throw line until the fourth quarter, but still ended with 21/23. Not only did the Mystics pack a punch at the line, but they also had two secret weapons that came off of the bench to bring energy to Washington’s offense. </p>
<p id="kPbPjR">Latta and Tianna Hawkins were able to ignite a fire offensively and, ultimately, lead the Mystics to their victory. Latta looked for energy from the crowd as she scored 4-for-6 from three-pointers and a total of 15 points. In addition, she also hit 850 career assists during the second quarter of the game. </p>
<p id="PAOsRg">Hawkins brought a much-needed urgency and aggression to the court as she spent the majority of the game hanging around the basket and attacking the rim. She remained true to her reputation as an “opportunity player.”</p>
<p id="JwaOGg">Latta, Hawkins, as well as Natasha Cloud were just what the doctor ordered to remedy a lack-luster game. “They really energized us,” said Head Coach Thibault. “We had 30 points amongst the three of them. That’s huge. Our bench bailed us out. Our starters, our starting guards, struggled to shoot the ball, obviously.”</p>
<p id="msOYRU">“The bench came in with Ivory [Latta], Tianna [Hawkins] and [Natasha Cloud] and they just energized us. On both ends of the floor, too. I thought [Cloud] was all over the place defensively, helping people and getting her hands on the ball. And Ivory and Tianna were aggressive offensively,” Thibault concluded.</p>
<p id="K1xOyr">Although the three ladies off the bench stole the show for the evening, fan favorite Elena Delle Donne was quick to commend her teammates for their hard work and their contribution to the Mystic’s now three-game winning streak. </p>
<p id="bHLEKL">“It’s huge. They were phenomenal. But it’s something they’ve been bringing all season long. So you know that’s coming out of them. On nights where some of us aren’t able to knock down some of our shots because we’ve been on a crazy stretch of games, it was huge that they came out and provided that spark and took us to that next level.”</p>
<p id="BkhtAc">As far as the streak is concerned, Latta refused to let the win or her performance get to her head. “We’re confident in each other but we’re not going to get complacent with where we are at. We still have a lot of work to do. Any given night, any team can win so we just have to come out every single night, stay focused and don’t get complacent.”</p>
<p id="CDfQkJ">The Mystics will fight to keep their streak alive as they play the Los Angeles Sparks on Sunday, July 2. </p>
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https://www.swishappeal.com/2017/6/30/15897796/ivory-latta-rescued-washington-mystics-wnbaSydney Shadrix2017-06-18T22:18:49-04:002017-06-18T22:18:49-04:00Taurasi ready to “just play basketball”
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<figcaption>Juan Ocampo/Getty</figcaption>
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<p><em>Diana Taurasi inspired young women worldwide as she broke the record for the all-time leading scorer in the WNBA. She humbly and graciously recognized her influences in a way that made her hometown proud.</em></p> <p id="xv70HR"><strong>Los Angeles, CA </strong><strong>—</strong> There were 45 seconds left on the clock in the first half of a heated game against the Los Angeles Sparks when Phoenix Mercury guard Diana Taurasi sunk the shot that made history.</p>
<p id="TrvOsj">One simple layup in the second quarter marked Taurasi’s 14th point of the game, the 7,489th point of her career and earned her a spot in women’s basketball history, surpassing Tina Thompson as the all-time leading scorer in the WNBA. </p>
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<p id="0fB7vP">But Taurasi is no stranger to success.</p>
<p id="j4lCd1">She’s won three WNBA championships, an MVP title, four Olympic gold medals, has been selected to seven WNBA All-Star teams and nine All-WNBA First-Teams. The list of accolades goes on and on, as she is only one of nine women to win an Olympic gold medal, a NCAA Championship and a WNBA Championship. </p>
<p id="vD8uSv">Earlier this season, Taurasi surpassed former teammate Katie Smith as the WNBA’s all-time leading 3-point shooter—more than enough to fuel the confidence of any athlete.</p>
<p id="wP51A5">Yet the southern California native, who calls herself “just a kid from Chino,” was able to accept perhaps her highest honor yet only eight miles away from her hometown and while surrounded by friends, family and fellow basketball superstars.</p>
<p id="OmBsNx">Former <a href="https://www.silverscreenandroll.com/">Los Angeles Lakers</a>’ star <span>Kobe Bryant</span> spent his Father’s Day joined in on the standing ovation for Taurasi. <span>Bryant</span> mentioned that he and Taurasi were “cut from the same cloth.”</p>
<p id="4Wzv4m">“Her work ethic and her body of work…it’s extremely consistent. She works extremely hard and she takes no crap,” Bryant said with a smile.</p>
<p id="OgUPTp">He continued on the say how special it was for his daughters to experience such a special moment in women’s history.</p>
<p id="RyedAj">Sparks head coach Brian Agler also spoke highly of Taurasi and her accomplishments, saying she is not only one of the greatest players of all time, but a joy to have as a teammate and to play against.</p>
<p id="IEgmPI">Agler’s remarks were illustrated by Sparks forward Candace Parker who was the first to congratulate Taurasi on the court.</p>
<p id="EZRsaz">Taurasi’s accomplishment was the highlight of the game, but it was not the only record broken during the 40 minutes of play. Los Angeles completed the first 10 minutes with their highest scoring quarter of the year at 36 points. By the fourth, the Sparks saw their biggest lead of the year as they led the Mercury by 31 points.</p>
<p id="lBHXVo">Ultimately, Los Angeles took the win with a final score of 90-59. Performing exceptionally well was none other than leading lady Candace Parker, who finished with 17 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists.</p>
<p id="ZB097W">More impressively, all but one player on the Sparks’ roster made the board with points by the end of the game. </p>
<p id="ETUjtR">Even though Taurasi’s success came during an untimely blowout loss for the Mercury, it was nonetheless a terrific afternoon at the Staples Center. Fans still filled the arena until the very last second of the game, not only to show their support for their home team, but to show their respect for one of the WNBA’s greatest. </p>
<p id="8lhWHZ">“It’s a really nice feeling,” Taurasi said. “I have so much respect for everyone who has held the record, especially Tina Thompson. She has been one of the biggest influences on my basketball career.” </p>
<p id="xxopSr">For the many young women who watched Taurasi make history, it’s safe to say she is their Tina Thompson. </p>
<p id="b7vqiP">And who knows? One of those young women might just stand where she does now some day, generating yet another legacy of strong, humble and driven players.</p>
https://www.swishappeal.com/2017/6/18/15827576/taurasi-wnba-all-time-scoring-record-historySydney Shadrix2017-06-11T01:22:11-04:002017-06-11T01:22:11-04:00A commitment to community
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<figcaption>Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame</figcaption>
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<p>The 6 WBHOF Inductees honored the tireless work of their predecessors in providing equality in athletics and encouraged friends and family to continue that work on the court and beyond. </p> <p id="rTnzoi"><strong>KNOXVILLE, TN- </strong>Tonight, the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame 2017 Induction Ceremony took place at the historic Tennessee Theatre in downtown Knoxville, Tennessee. Home of the legendary Pat Summitt, Knoxville holds sentimental value as the location of the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame. </p>
<p id="fK9hsT">In fact, the ceremony for the 2017 inductees began tonight with a video tribute to the late Coach Summitt, in which she stated, “Basketball is not about championships. It is about relationships.”</p>
<p id="7kGBEr">Summitt’s mentality could not have been illustrated any clearer tonight at the WBHOF Ceremony. The Tennessee Theater was filled with a community of people who have dedicated their lives to seeing women’s basketball grow and prosper. The heart of the inductees and their supporters was something inductee Coach Rick Insell could only describe as “it”- a passion for women’s basketball so strong that it simply could not be put into words. </p>
<p id="OQe5DG">The energy within the theater was inexplicable, as well. As each inductee took the stage for their speeches, fans and family came to their feet and filled the theater with the sound of roaring applause. All people, whether they were inductees, family, friends, or simply fans, were all joined together by the shared appreciation for the sport and the women and men who came before and pioneered the development of the game.</p>
<p id="Lvo8mx">Inductee Kara Wolters recognized the hard work of her predecessors, as well as the continued commitment to unity in women’s basketball during her speech: “[Women’s basketball] is not about rivalry,” said Wolters. “It is more about sisterhood. It’s about working for the greater good, for something bigger than ourselves—and that is to grow the game of women’s basketball.”</p>
<p id="NwsvUs"> Wolters continued to speak of the immense opportunities that women’s basketball offers to young girls across the nation. The mother of two daughters, Wolters firmly believes in spreading hope and encouragement to all girls. </p>
<p id="lvlCPS">She inspired girls in the audience of the theater to always dream big and to believe in themselves, despite any doubters. “I want to show all of the little girls the opportunities they can get,” she said, “just by putting a ball in a basket.”</p>
<p id="0jfu9a">Just as Wolters emphasized the importance of providing athletic opportunity to young women, inductee Christine Grant recalled the significance of the passing of Title IX in the 1970s, which states that “No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.” </p>
<p id="YSMlde">As a founding member of the Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women, Grant has been nothing short of incredibly instrumental in the fight for women’s equality in sports. </p>
<p id="2VxKTI">Yet, in her speech, Grant challenged the audience to look beyond equality in athletics and towards equality in all aspects of society. “Imagine all we could no if we recognized the talents of all women and all minorities,” she said before ending her speech by citing John Lennon’s “Imagine.”</p>
<p id="B4S0aR">The night concluded with the singing of the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame song, “The Dream” by vocalist Evelyn Jack. As she sang, 30 young girls and aspiring female athletes invited to the event by the Hall of Fame’s title sponsor, Eastman Company, filmed the artist on their phones so that they could always remember the lyrics she so proudly sang:</p>
<p id="y2OpqZ"> “She had to try a little harder</p>
<p id="WUFXhm"> She had to reach a little higher</p>
<p id="t2vSxW"> She had to run a little faster</p>
<p id="B2lKDX"> She had to walk through the fire</p>
<p id="nZNDmo"> She had to be a little stronger</p>
<p id="nkBoGi"> She had to pray a little longer</p>
<p id="fVC5F8"> Cause nothing is impossible it seems</p>
<p id="a0VJyL"> When a little girl starts to dream.”</p>
<p id="nJhZVm">Tonight, the dreams of Sally Bell, Christine Grant, Rick Insell, Lousie O’Neal, Sheryl Swoopes, and Kara Wolters were realized as they were inducted into the WBHOF Class of 2017. Through their words and actions, they have continued the tireless work of those before them to provide a platform for generations to come to see their dreams realized, as well. </p>
https://www.swishappeal.com/2017/6/11/15777580/2017-womens-basketball-hall-of-fame-classSydney Shadrix2017-06-09T23:02:26-04:002017-06-09T23:02:26-04:00Six living legends score a spot in Hall of Fame
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<p>The 2017 Women's Basketball Hall of Fame inductees reflect on their careers and offer advice to younger generations. Each has played a major role in shaping the history of women's basketball, as well as living out the mission of the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame.</p> <p id="V5BxMf"><strong>KNOXVILLE, TN-</strong> “Honor the Past. Celebrate the Present. Promote the Future.” </p>
<p id="2pWZoJ">That is the mission of the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame. Located minutes away from the University of Tennessee, home of the Lady Vols and the legendary Pat Summit, the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame is nestled amongst impeccably kept greenery and beneath the warm, summer, Tennessee sunshine. Yet, the beauty of the grounds and of the building itself is nothing compared to what is held inside. </p>
<p id="1Aw97e">Behind the doors of the Hall of Fame lies the heart of women’s basketball- the history of the game and of the fight for equality in sports, as well as the stories of the heroes who devoted their lives to laying the groundwork on which their daughters, grand-daughters, teammates, and friends could build a community of strong, determined, and talented women and men who share the love of a beautiful game and the belief that the game should be accessible to all. </p>
<p id="yofsVI">Today, the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame stands as a reminder of women’s basketball’s journey from humble beginnings as a club sport into a globally recognized organization of equally capable athletes. It serves as a beacon of hope and encouragement to young women everywhere who dream of being stronger, smarter, and better than they were yesterday. </p>
<div class="c-float-right"><aside id="PA4caB"><q>“This whole building [the WBHOF] reflects what we have today. Back in 1972, society was actively discouraging talented young women from going near sports. It permeated the entire society. Now, we have changed the thinking of a society in a relatively short period of time.” - Christine Grant</q></aside></div>
<p id="Qopur9">Since 1999, the WBHOF has honored players, coaches, contributors, and officials who have shaped the history of women’s basketball. Tomorrow night, on June 10, 2017, the Hall of Fame will induct their 2017 Class, marking 157 inductees. </p>
<p id="s8aGni">Christine Grant is amongst the 6 members of the Class of 2017 inductees. Grant was the first women’s director at the University of Iowa, and in 1992, she was named the National Administrator of the Year by the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association. A founding member of the Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women, Grant played a significant role in the fight for equality within athletics. </p>
<p id="ueOZIq">“I should go back to 1972, when Title IX was passed, and there were no intercollegiate opportunities for women,” she began when asked to reflect on her feelings on being inducted. “Looking back, the at time it seemed to move like molasses, but knowing how society moves so slowly, it’s actually been fast. It’s been a fast transition from nothing to what we have today. </p>
<p id="csC5Pe">“This whole building [the WBHOF] reflects what we have today. Back in 1972, society was actively discouraging talented young women from going near sports. It permeated the entire society. Now, we have changed the thinking of a society in a relatively short period of time.” </p>
<p id="0butkr">Grant mentioned her trip to the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, describing how she was unable to get a ticket to the sold-out Women’s Soccer game. </p>
<p id="PaF9K7">“That was when it struck me,” she said, “what we had done with society. We had changed it from having a really negative attitude towards women in sports to a really positive one. It was emotional.” </p>
<p id="FGfhQG">A pioneer of promoting women’s basketball on Iowa’s campus specifically, Christine remembered the biggest game of her career. </p>
<p id="1iK6Vm">“We really, really promoted the game, Iowa vs. Ohio State. It was a Sunday. Our arena holds 15,500. We were to start at one o’clock. By eleven o’clock the arena was filled, and by one o’clock, there were 22,157 in our arena, and I got a letter of reprimand from the university for having broken the fire code, which I deserved,” she said with a laugh. “And I framed it.”</p>
<p id="96S3tI">The impact that women like Catherine Grant had on the game of basketball paved the way for ladies like Sheryl Swoopes, another 2017 inductee, to succeed in a what had previously been a male-dominated sport. Swoopes helped guide the USA Basketball team to gold medals in 1996, 2000, and 2004, and won a bronze medal in the 1994 World Championships. </p>
<div class="c-float-right"><aside id="r7eI9o"><q>“I never cared whether or not women’s basketball looked like the men’s, “ she said. “I wanted to do better than them—not in the sense that we were bigger or stronger, but that we were smarter and more beautiful to watch in terms of our play. The game was beautiful.” - Louise O’Neal</q></aside></div>
<p id="1ufjX0">She was the first player signed to the WNBA in 1997 and led the Houston Comets to the first four consecutive WNBA Championships. Additionally, Swoopes was named the WNBA MVP in 2000, named to the WNBA All-Star team six times, and was the WNBA Defensive Player of the Year three times. Even as a world-renowned player, Sheryl was eager to learn even more about the game that she said, “changed her life.” </p>
<p id="DYEafm">“There is a lot of history to learn about the game,” Swoopes began, “how it started, and all of the different rules you know, what women could and couldn’t do. It’s actually kind of sad, but when I see the evolution of the game and see how much the game has changed and how much the game has grown, it just really makes me take my hat off to all of those women that came before us.” </p>
<p id="zdxrHw">Not only does the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame serve to pay respect and gratitude to those who brought the game to new heights, but it also helps to remind young women of their capability and potential to continue to grow the game of women’s basketball. 2017 Inductee, Kara Wolters, shared her advice for young ladies looking to be the next women’s basketball trailblazers. </p>
<p id="51KNLn">“Honestly, the best advice that I could give a young person is to believe in yourself, to work hard, and to dream big. I had so many doubters and nonbelievers in my life that my message to young people is just to believe in yourself and stay away from negativity.” </p>
<p id="jaJqUQ">She attributed her personal successes, from guiding the USA Basketball team to a gold medal in the 2000 Olympic Games to holding the rebounding and shots blocked records at the University of Connecticut, to staying away from doubters and negativity and to working hard on achieving her own personal best. </p>
<p id="3jYEZ5">“I was the last in the sprints. I was the worst at pushups, and now I have a gold medal. If you keep working at it and working to get better and play to your own personal strengths, it will be okay,” she encouraged not only her own daughters, but youth across the country as well. “If I could get that point across to kids, then I think the light will go on for what it takes to be successful.”</p>
<p id="jIL12K">Wolters is not the only inductee who offered advice to the younger generations. In fact, fellow inductee Rick Insell has devoted his career to coaching young ladies in the state of Tennessee. With over 40 years of coaching experience, Insell has more than 1,000 victories between both Shelbyville Central High School and Middle Tennessee State University. </p>
<p id="v4Z3RS">He holds Tennessee state records for consecutive wins with 110 and consecutive State Championships with four. In 1989 and 1991, he was named the USA Today National High School Coach of the Year. His advice, much like Kara Wolters, encourages young women to persevere and dream big. </p>
<p id="ODeMtN">“Follow your dreams,’ he said. “You’ve got to be passionate about what you’re doing, or you need to do something else. Find out what your passion is, and go make a career out of it.” </p>
<p id="PHm0Rm">It was no doubt his passion for the game and for making a difference in the lives of students that secured his spot in the WBHOF. “It’s unbelievable,” he said about his induction. “15 or 20 years down the road, whether I’m here or not, I’ll have grandkids and great-grandkids who will be able to come here and see my name and say, ‘Hey, there’s Coach.’”</p>
<p id="qT9fti">A legacy is something that all six of the 2017 inductees will leave, and something that many have already gone. For instance, Louise O’Neal is a living legend at the University of Southern Connecticut. She revolutionized the women’s basketball program there, elevating it from a club sport in the 1960’s to a varsity sport in the 1970’s. </p>
<div class="c-float-right"><aside id="T0djFv"><q>“There is a lot of history to learn about the game, how it started, and all of the different rules you know, what women could and couldn’t do. It’s actually kind of sad, but when I see the evolution of the game and see how much the game has changed and how much the game has grown, it just really makes me take my hat off to all of those women that came before us.” - Sheryl Swoopes</q></aside></div>
<p id="f3K0Io">In 1988, she was deservingly inducted into the Connecticut Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame, and in 2001, she was inducted into the Southern Connecticut Hall of Fame. In 2011, O’Neal was given the NACWAA Lifetime Achievement Award. She continues to instill her love and appreciation for the game into everyone she meets. </p>
<p id="mvAs5w">“I never cared whether or not women’s basketball looked like the men’s, “ she said. “I wanted to do better than them—not in the sense that we were bigger or stronger, but that we were smarter and more beautiful to watch in terms of our play. The game was beautiful.” </p>
<p id="keRyjS">An appreciation for the game and a belief that it has the ability to change lives are the golden threads that tie all six inductees together. All six, as well as the people they have already impacted and will continue to impact, are joined together by a common goal: to “Honor the past. Celebrate the present. Promote the future.”</p>
<p id="7c7wFy">They make up a community of movers and shakers and dreamers and doers. 2017 WBHOF Inductee, 1996 Olympic Games officiate, Coordinator of Women’s Basketball Officials for six different conferences and 2012 Georgia Sports Hall of Fame inductee, Sally Bell, said that this community that she has found has been her favorite part of her basketball journey. </p>
<p id="8Mh8mk">“The people I have refereed with are my basketball family. All of the athletes and coaches are my extended family. I will never, ever be able to tell you how much they mean to me.”</p>
<p id="0AYflb">Likewise, fans of the game and believers in the sport will never be able to express their gratitude for the contributions of the six 2017 Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame Inductees. Tomorrow night, these six extraordinary people will join the best of the best in women’s basketball and will take their places in history as those who have defined the game that has, and will continue, to inspire thousands. </p>
https://www.swishappeal.com/2017/6/9/15773856/womens-basketball-hall-of-fame-ncaawSydney Shadrix2017-05-29T00:40:38-04:002017-05-29T00:40:38-04:00United in Seattle
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<figcaption>Neil Enns/Seattle Storm</figcaption>
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<p><em>As the saying goes, “teamwork makes the dream work” and Sunday Seattle truly depended on everyone to contribute. The Storm was too much for Indiana to handle.</em> </p> <p id="vNy47x"><strong>SEATTLE, WA —</strong> For the Seattle Storm, tonight’s game against the Indiana Fever could not have been any more beautiful. With a Storm record broken, an entire roster with points, and an outstanding amount of teamwork resulting in a remarkable 24 assists, Seattle swept the floor with a seemingly invisible Indiana.</p>
<p id="beJdx5">From the beginning of play, the Storm was mercilessly out for the win. With Seattle coming off of three straight wins in which they scored over 80 points each, there was only one word in the forecast for the evening: (a) Storm. </p>
<p id="m4MFRV">Alysha Clark got the ball rolling for Seattle as she set the pace for a high-intensity, high-speed, and offensive-heavy game. Within just minutes of play, she scored her first 3-pointer of the season, marking the 100<sup>th</sup> of her career. Even with scary 3 turnovers within the span of a minute and a half in the first quarter, Seattle was still able to get their points, thanks to Clark. </p>
<p id="G93fTb">However, even with the Clark pushing the pace of the Storm’s offensive play, the Fever managed to use Tiffany Mitchell off of the bench in order to end the first with only a four-point deficit, 26-22. </p>
<p id="D1uFU8">Yet, unluckily for Indiana, a single-digit deficit was quickly fleeting. </p>
<p id="TOafU8">“We let them get off to a really comfortable start, specifically (Alysha) Clark. Then you give that momentum to a team and then it carries throughout. Coupled with that, we didn’t do a very good job offensively,” said Head Coach Pokey Chatman. By the beginning of the second period, the Fever was down by 13, as the Storm took their biggest lead with a score of 35-22. </p>
<p id="mufdeF">Nonetheless, a glimmer of hope flickered in the hearts’ of the Indiana ladies, as they have come back from a double-digit deficit in every game this season. Yet, tonight, they would hope in vain. </p>
<p id="P7h2Sb">Even though Clark ignited the fire of excellence for Seattle in the opening stanza, it was in the second that the Storm began to give of glimpse of the secret weapon for the evening: teamwork. Whereas the Fever had only one assist on 11 made field goals, Seattle had 10. </p>
<p id="Rm1FX5">Breanna Stewart contributed to the first half success for shooting 2-for-2 in field goals which, even though wasn’t many points in the first half, showed promise in efficiency for a player who entered the game shooting a layup in the last seconds of play. The front court players owned the game for Seattle in the first half as they ended the first 20 minutes of play with a score of 47-34. </p>
<p id="PW4U7b">“That’s one of the things about this team that is so special. We have a lot of weapons and a lot of people who are willing to play as a team,” said Head Coach Jenny Boucek of the front court players taking charge. </p>
<p id="ixfWCh">“Different nights are going to be different people depending on what the defense is doing and that’s where your humble superstars come into place. Sue had eight assists, Jewell had five assists and Stewie had five assists. That’s our big three. They were facilitators in a lot of ways tonight and that says a lot about them. </p>
<p id="AdYUmz">“They didn’t need to score big points and most stars do. They have bought into and are leading the way with that teamwork.”</p>
<p id="iAuQHP">In the third quarter, the Fever continued to show no signs of any sort of defense as the Storm’s Jewell Lloyd began heating up after only scoring two in the first half and serving as, like Coach Boucek said, more of a facilitator. She, with the help of Indiana’s lifeless play, contributed to Seattle’s 57 points scored in 23 minutes. Of course, having three number one draft picks on the team doesn’t hurt. </p>
<p id="uxo6Xd">Yet, with 17 assists by the end of the period, it was clear that, even with big stars on the court, the Storm refused to play a selfish game. In fact, the third ended with a triple from Seattle’s Noelle Quinn with an assist from Lloyd, her fifth assist of the game.</p>
<p id="iKL6m6">By the fourth period, the Storm was cruising to their fourth win in a row. Even more exciting, they were on their way to scoring over 80 points, a number they broke only eight times last season, but have already seen in three of their four games in 2017. </p>
<p id="JLquFs">Even with the Storm’s teamwork on point, Clark refused to slow down her own personal hustle. She set a new Seattle record by shooting 9-9, a record for most field goals consecutively made for any Storm player. </p>
<p id="r9Nv2b">“You don’t think about the numbers as a player. You’re just trying to play and take what the defense gives you. What was different for me tonight was that I was actually finishing. I take pride in being an efficient player. In the first few games, I wasn’t being very efficient. I was frustrated with myself in that. To be able to go out, finish and get my feel back was good.”</p>
<p id="Edfimy"> As Seattle’s victory became more and more certain, two rookies, Alexis Peterson and Lanay Montgomery, were able to contribute as well. In fact, every player who played Sunday night for the Seattle Storm officially made the scoreboard.</p>
<p id="srdAHa">A final score of 94-70 propelled the Storm to their fourth consecutive win. Yet, their points scored were not the only impressive stat of the night. Seattle gave fans a “full meal deal” of a win. They ended the game shooting 61% -- they did not drop below 60% for the entirety of the game. </p>
<p id="cB1CwG">The Storm shot 8-18 from behind the arc and 16-17 from the charity stripe. Even with 31 rebounds, perhaps their most impressive statistic was their assists. They played the game as a true unit and finished the evening with 24 assists. </p>
<p id="OVM6xQ">Tonight’s win goes to show all teams in the WNBA, even those with three former number one draft picks, the importance every player serves on the court, and, tonight, the Seattle Storm were proof that a team that works together wins together. </p>
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https://www.swishappeal.com/2017/5/29/15708176/indiana-sleepless-seattle-wnbaSydney Shadrix2017-05-24T02:43:25-04:002017-05-24T02:43:25-04:00Poor shooting dooms Phoenix
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<figcaption>Chris Poss - Swish Appeal</figcaption>
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<p><em>Without arguably, the most prolific scorer in the league, Diana Taurasi, the Mercury struggled for a while to score. Despite coming back, Phoenix couldn’t make up for the loss of its leader and her scoring ability.</em></p> <p id="IrfnwN"><strong>Phoenix, AZ </strong><strong>—</strong> Tuesday night, the New York Liberty and Phoenix Mercury went head-to-head in what could be viewed as a 2016 play-offs rematch. Last year, New York took the win in the regular season matchup, but Phoenix prevailed in the post-season. One year later, both teams were ready to face off again to see who would come out on top.</p>
<p id="AJIGGk">Yet, this year’s battle proved to be anything but the same old song and dance from 2016. Although they were coming off of a two-game winning streak this year before their match-up with the Liberty, the Mercury could not afford to bask in the glory of their early success. </p>
<p id="77hXSS">Unfortunately, any foundation of confidence that Phoenix built after their two wins was shaken once their all-star player, Diana Taurasi, was suspended a game. </p>
<p id="WXPxc9">With no Taurasi, would Phoenix be able to keep the fire and competitive edge they needed to defeat New York? </p>
<p id="1jipy4">Mercury fans predicted that Brittney Griner, the third leading scorer in the league already, would be able to pick up the slack and carry Phoenix to a victory. However, in the first quarter, those fans were disappointed. From the start, New York came out fighting. Known for their very physical style of play, the Liberty started attacking from the first buzzer, and the Mercury -- including Griner -- could not defend. </p>
<p id="M4NKQR">New York simply pounded Phoenix in the paint, as it seemed as though the Mercury spent more time looking at the Liberty’s shots than getting any body on them. It appeared that Taurasi’s absence would prove to be Phoenix’s kryptonite against New York until a glimmer of hope came in the form of Leilani Mitchell and Stephanie Talbot. </p>
<p id="6vpPr5">Mitchell finally scored to bring the Mercury back within four points of the lead, a deficit smaller than they had seen for the majority of the game. Next, with Talbot at the free throw line, Phoenix decreased their deficit to only two, with a score of 15-13. By the end of the opening stanza, the Mercury had its first lead of the night, 20-19.</p>
<p id="W6QomL">Yet, even with the excitement of a small comeback, Phoenix’s performance still proved lackluster without Taurasi as they continued on into the second quarter. Without Taurasi’s defensive grit and tenacity, the Mercury’s defensive efforts proved futile against the Liberty’s powerhouses of Tina Charles and Epiphanny Prince. </p>
<p id="oRARqw">Both ladies went to work offensively. In fact, Prince only missed one shot in the first stanza. Ultimately, both ended the game in double-digits, Prince with 24 points and Charles with 22. </p>
<p id="DtMLns">Liberty Head Coach, Bill Laimbeer, attributed the offensive success not just to Taurasi’s absence, but to Griner’s as well, stating, “We know Griner’s going to be a defensive presence in there and Tina was fortunate to not get mashed up early with her in the game and took advantage of it.” </p>
<p id="jxMKsc">It seemed as though the only way that Phoenix could begin to compete offensively was to take advantage of New York’s turnovers -- 17 of which they had by the end of the game. Unfortunately, they were not able to capitalize on what seemed like any as they shot under a mere 32%. </p>
<p id="JDOKEH"> As the ball continued to rattle in and out of the basket for the Mercury, Prince, who had yet to hit a three in the young season, hit 3-of-4 by the third. </p>
<p id="qK6TIc">But then, just at the end of the third period, a Mercury miracle named Mitchell decided to take ownership of her team and provide the spark for the flame of victory that Taurasi left extinguished. She, along with Yvonne Turner, put together a 12-point run that brought the score 55-52 and the Mercury only down by a triple. </p>
<p id="E0oQRA">With Turner and Mitchell running the court offensively, Brittney Griner was able to step up her defensive game. By the final period, Griner had six blocks against New York. Just as the fans suspected, Griner did what was expected of her and stepped up her game in the absence of Taurasi. </p>
<p id="ynQ1VT">She not only kept Charles and Prince at bay, but she also scored the highest of any other Mercury player with 19 points and led the team in rebounds with six total. </p>
<p id="9VQUJ6">Her determination, matched with that of the Talbot-Mitchell-Turner trio allowed Phoenix to tie the game at 67-67 with only seconds left in the game. </p>
<p id="fNezyR">“We were finally able to get used to the referees and that sort of things and we got stops in the second half,” said Mitchell. “We got the open looks on offense we just couldn’t knock them down.”</p>
<p id="fNXxp6"> Unfortunately, she was right. All of the willpower and focus that these four ladies could muster was not enough against none other than Epiphanny Prince. </p>
<p id="hyd0DY">“Getting the shot for Piph I think built up a great play. I set the screen and then Z (Shavonte Zellous) had me on the back,” said Tina Charles on the last play.</p>
<p id="UeZJaF">“But that’s Piph, just growing up with her she’s always rising in the moment. She loves taking the big shots, she wants it, she owns it, so I’m happy we have her on our team.” </p>
<p id="SyXUuQ">With on final jump shot, New York capitalized on Taurasi’s suspension and won with a final score of 69-67. </p>
<p id="xGye0v">“It would have been nice to win the game. We fought back; it shows a lot of character about this team,”stated head coach Sandy Brondello on her team’s effort. </p>
<p id="oHm8gN">On Friday, Diana Taurasi will be back to add to that fight as her team takes on the Dallas Wings in Phoenix. </p>
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https://www.swishappeal.com/2017/5/24/15684102/phoenix-struggles-without-diana-taurasi-wnbaSydney Shadrix