Final score: Storm 74 – Starzz 57 (W) (17-14)

Attendance | 11448 (Second highest ever!)

Anthem Xtra Notes | A few, but nice

Anthem High Note | Got it

Anthem Style | Classic, beautiful, like it should be performed

Fan Noise | Loud, loud, loud

Signs | Win and we're in

Fan Psyche | I told myself I wouldn't cry

Halftime | Cheerleaders of varying ages

When Angie and I sent in our two $50 deposits on September 1, 1999 - this is what we signed on for.

When we were front and center at the logo unveiling - this is what we were hoping for.

When we yelled ourselves sick as Houston destroyed the Storm by 30 in the first home game - this is what we were dreaming of.

When I clapped so hard during the first Storm win over LA that I split open one of my hands and started to bleed - this is what we were cheering for.

Tonight, when we saw all those thunderstix clapping in unison, the curtain drawn up on most of the upper bowl, signs everywhere, the team owner up and yelling at the refs - this is why we are Storm fans.

And now, we are going to the playoffs.

I almost can't believe it. We were so anxious on Friday and then so worried about these next two games that now it is decided, I'm just stunned.

The Seattle Storm, the former doormat of the WNBA, are going to the playoffs.

The Storm didn't back in or have the fourth spot handed to them. They won it. They took it away from Portland. They set this goal and achieved it with confidence, flair and inspired play. Knowing that the Portland / Phoenix game started about an hour after the Storm game, Angie said early on that it would be so great if the Storm could just win this game outright and take the fourth spot and not let a Portland loss mean anything in the end. And that is exactly what happened.

I'm going to warn you - there may not be much game play-by-play in this report, not that I do much of that anyway. My thoughts are all over the place, so please bear with me as I free associate a little. I try to keep these reports fairly coherent, but I'm not all that coherent right now.

I just have to keep saying it.

The Storm are in the playoffs (okay, last time - for now).

With about 2 or 3 minutes left (I can't be more specific because the last part of the game is still a blur) and they flashed "We're In" on the arena screen - tears were welling up in my eyes. I calmed myself because I didn't want to be the weird man in the read poof wig crying like a baby, but it was close.

The red wigs. I told Salvo that he gets all the credit for this one and he tried to mumble something about it being a group thing. No way pal - this was your idea and it worked terrifically. Of course, most people didn't know what the heck was going on so we had to keep explaining ourselves. RabidStormFan bought a bushel of wigs and distrbuted them all over, including a very key hand off to Chris Rimple. We'll come back to Chris. There were red puffs scattered around the arena. Then Salvo showed up and started flinging red tinsel wigs into the crowd behind the north basket, in addition to wearing a raggedy-andy type wig himself. For a quickly organized little activity, it was very successful. So Chris Rimple, who sits about 4 rows back right behind the Storm bench, was wearing his red poof and was holding up a series of great signs throughout the game. Of course the team saw him, as did Coach Dunn. Well, so did David Locke. He got the red poof from Chris at the end of the game and made sure it got into Lauren's hands while he and Coach Dunn were talking to the crowd. Lauren came over and put it on Coach's head. David explained the significance and the crowd went wild. The red poof wigs were an incredible hit. One other note about the wigs - before the game I was down talking to the regulars (Sass, Stormrocks, Stormfan7, and crew) and Coach Dunn was leaving the court. I yelled to her once, no response. I yelled to her again. She looked up and I pointed to the red poof. She smiled and shook her head. She shook her head all the way into the tunnel.

The game. You could argue both ways whether Utah played to their fullest or when they put up the white flag and let it go. I would say that through the first half, they were still playing. They weren't playing well and the Storm were in control, but the lead was still within 9 to 12 points. Utah was still in it and I kept expecting a run from Ferdinand, Goodson, Azzi and Williams. Let's face it, a single digit lead is nothing to a team like the Starzz. They can rattle off points fast and then pummel you on defense. Tonight, the Storm rode rough shod over them.

Most surprising was how much of a non-factor Dydek was. Having gotten a little better picture of the Storm's mentality about Margo during that AMEX event with Coach Dunn, I think that the Storm were just better prepared tonight. They executed just about everything Coach Dunn described at that event. Lure Margo towards the free throw line and then cut back door from the side or go around her (no lateral movement). Muscle her constantly - keep her from getting set or comfortable. Get our posts out on the perimeter hitting baskets to again get her out of the paint so the other players can drive to the basket unmolested. The Storm did all of this tonight and it worked. Again, you are free to speculate that the Starzz didn't have the same drive to win this game as the Storm and relaxed their game. Maybe. I also think that all of these women are too competitive (Salvo again for pointing this out) that they wouldn't consciously slack off that much.

The Storm played a great game. Amanda Lassiter was hitting some great shots and was one of the beneficiaries of the Dydek attack plan. Adia Barnes not only played some fantastic defense, but she finally was able to produce offensively as well (note to Heavy D - still need some free throw work). Simone was attacking rebounds like they were chicken and rice plates. Kamila recovered from her mini-slump on Friday and took it to Margo hard and succeeded. The Key erupted when she started hitting her shots. You can say what you want about the Seattle fans, but they understand the game and know these players. They know how important the Czech Chick is to this team (a new sign with that appeared tonight - I like it).

Sue and Lauren. Sue took 4 shots and missed them all, but no one cared a bit. Her passes were perfect. She often says that she will do whatever is needed for the team to win. Friday is was scoring, tonight it was playing the perfect point guard. Lauren's shots are just plain ugly. The are flat, too strong and never look like they are going in. She is always moving too much in the air on her jumpers and her layups look like they are going to come flying off the backboard. But looks aren't everything. She was having her way with the Utah posts tonight. It didn't matter who was guarding her, she was hitting inside and outside. She was playing near perfect post defense. There was one play when a Utah post (don't remeber who, sorry) went up against LJ. Lauren planted herself, was straight up and down and the Utah player bounced off of her and muffed the shot. And then there were all the blocks and other altered shots. Lauren is just fun to watch. She obviously loves this game, they all do, and it is a joy to watch them do so well and to be so happy with the result.

There's a lot more to talk about - there always is. These reports get longer each time I write them (unless I'm in a red wrathful haze like that last Houston game). I'm sure others will pipe in with their takes and notes on the game. I, for one, will remember this game for a long time to come. Whatever happens in the playoffs will happen, but this was the game, THE game that made it all worth it. Lauren introducing her mom to the other players before the game and doing so in a way that reminded me that she is still a 21-year-old. Sue coming up to Mrs. Jackson and saying in a meek voice, "Hi, I'm Sue." Takeisha having a wide open lane to the basket, all of us rising out of our seats in anticipation of the dunk (or something spectacular), and her taking a really ugly medium jump shot and missing badly. Kate Starbird playing against Semeka Randall, and both in the "wrong" uniforms. That feeling of "it could happen" when the Starzz had to take a timeout at the beginning of each half because the Storm came out so fast. Watching the Starzz clear their bench and knowing that it was really over. Giving our starters a deserving cheer as they came out and our bench went in. Watching Michelle, Adia, Kate and Amanda tip, tap, disrupt and steal pass after pass. Waiting for LJ's 3 to drop so we could jump out of our seats and scream some more. And, feeling the joy the players felt as they came out of the post-game huddle at midcourt knowing that they had achieved this goal through hard work, believing in themselves and not giving up.

This game is why we are Storm fans.

Notes:

Most of the notable material I remember (still in shock after all) is in the report itself. I will probably add in some of the other fan's comments from the forum just so they are in a more permanent form than the ever-changing forum.

We are in the playoffs (sorry, one last time).

Additional Fan impressions on this game: (in the order they appeared on the forum)

Submitted by | Coach Gym Rat

Stormrocks and I had the most interesting chatter before the game started. I think we just about picked apart every aspect of the game. Who would guard who, who will shut down DyDork, who will do this, who will do that, blah blah blah. We agreed on a lot of things, except I thought Utah wouldn't play to win the game. I figure Utah would do just enough, try out a few things, and get their bench players in there to get a feel for a big game in front of a big crowd. I also said that all 11 Utah players will see action on the court. I was wrong in a few things. Utah played 10 players - Crockrum didn't play. I don't know who she is so I don't know if she was dressed to play or not. From what I could see all of the bench players did play... but I dunno. All of those who did got really good minutes.

As for Utah not playing 100%... it's not that they wouldn't, it's that they couldn't. They were road sloppy, missed shots, bad passes, lazy D(yDork), etc. Yet, we weren't shining the whole time. We had some FREAKING awesome passes! It was like watching twins communicate telepathically. Wild passes were thrown and we caught them... I get so emotional just thinking about it. *sniffle* Too bad we couldn't make those chippies. ARGH! Heartbreaker right there.

Gym.Rat's Droppings:
I was able to avoid the Usher-Nuns and hop the barricade to sit with stormrocks and crew. I thought for sure they were going to pull my ear out of the seats - but, to my surprise, they didn't seem to notice.

The key was red-wigs aplenty. I gotta get mine for the next game... I promised scott I would (and wear my ref shirt as well, since they need a good one out there.)

Speaking of the refs. Bad calls when players were flying out of bounds. They gave it to Utah 4 times but it should have been 2 and 2. 2 of those were clearly hit out by Utah. I would rather lick 100 year old poopy off of a 4foot of the ground toilet than to have these refs again.

I have respect for the Starzz. Tammi Reese, asst. coach, applauded every storm player at introductions and a few of the players clapped for Starbird when she was announced. I thought that was nice. Meek was hard to read though.

Flagrant foul of Williams: VERY good call. Best part was Simone popping back up and doing her shimmy shake in front of Williams! Yeah baby!!!

DyDork is freaking lazy! Jackson is driving for a lay-up on the right side, DyDork is on the left side of the key near the bucket. All she has to do is slide over 1 step and block her. Does she? Nope. Easy score for LJ and DyDork is left looking like a foo'.

Meek did the same thing she did in Seattle, drive into a crowed and toss the ball up. This time it connected... gotta give her some props for those amazing shots.

Azzi was PO'ed big time. Upset at DyDork not working hard. Players not in the right spots, etc. Williams was getting ticked too. When DyDork fouled Kamila Williams turned to coach Harvey and mouthed "take her out", and she did. The looks on Azzi and Williams' faces were of "we will die in the playoffs playing like this".

Kamila and LJ took the ball to DyDork and won the battle. Mt. Margo doesn't seem so tall anymore. Heck, LJ even shot OVER her for crying out loud. I wonder if Margo knows that she can jump?

On a jump ball tip, a storm player tipped it down low to Big Lucky Dog. I thought she was gonna dunk it - perfect set up. But she shot the J. Aw well.

Speaking of Lewis, at one point she was in a jump ball tangle... agaist TWO starzz players. She out muscled both of them. Girl has some guns on her.

Steve Kelly was at the game so expect some sort of article by him. Maybe a Fire Dunn retraction? I'll give you the low down on his reaction to the storm winning the game. Imagine yourself in advanced calc. You pulled an all nighter with your english paper and are forcing yourself to stay awake for this class. As soon as the teacher gets on sine and cosine your eyes flutter and your teacher has turned into a sheep and starts jumping a fence. That's what Kelly looked like (not the sheep, but the calc student).

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