Submitted by | Sass

During the shoot-around, they played a montage of songs that the team has entered to over the last three years. They came in to their 03 song, "Pump it Up," and as they continued to dribble, on came "Get UR Freak On" from 2001, and then last year's "Family Affair." It made us all feel really reflective and warm. Great way to begin a game!
 
Along with the announcer screaming. "Riiiiitaaaaa Wiiiiiillliammmssss!!!!!" I am so so so going to miss the player intros. Lauren is the sixth one out (first starter introduced) and forces everyone to chest butt her. Except for Burras, who holds up her two hands. Lauren doesn't dare with the one other player on the team who is bigger than her, so she just pokes Burras' hands. Then there's Tully slam dancing with the mascot. Awwwwwwwww I'm gonna miss that.  
 
It was SO great to see Tully getting mad mad love from the crowd. Not once but several times, we erupted into chants of "Tully! Tully! Tully!" for her intense hustle on both offense and D. After her big layup, she turned under the basket and started running the other way. As she ran past the Storm bench she clenched both her fists and bared her teeth, which sent the entire team into smiles and whoops of delight. I loves me some Tully.
 
Kamila just about made me cry when she was crying. And it was so touching that the team gave her a group hug to reassure her. When she was finally able to speak, she gave a shout out to section 113! We of course yelled back at her.
 
When Tully took the mike, the twisted on one foot and cocked her head, saying, "g'day, mates!" Giggles throughout the arena.
 
Of course a few of us hardcore people couldn't leave right away. We talked, said goodbye to the ushers. And by then the two players of the night came out to sign autographs. They happened to be my two favorites on the team: Adia and Tully! I am taking this as a sign that 2004 is going to be off the chain.

Submitted by | Wingardium

This night was one of the sweetest things I've ever observed.
 
From the standing O for Edna to the group hug on Kamila, the love was just flowing in the Key. Flowing both ways, too. How many teams in the MNBA would stay out on the court like that and thank the faithful?
 
Random notes:
 
Simone definitely showed a step-up in intensity, but still looked confuddled offensively at times. Donovan is the one to help her grow, but I have the distressingly odd feeling that, depending on draft/trade scenarios, our Hurricane may be blowing out of town.
 
A big "Whassup" to you too, Sun!
 
A league that can honor Stiles over LJ at any point in time can manage to rationalize anything. LJ deserves MVP. Will she get it? No. She'll just have to rewrite the whole record book first.  
 
Best assist: Doppler delivering a towel to Kamila during her verklempt moments.

I am so proud of this team. They showed just what they are capable of being, and, though changes will be made, I believe this year... especially the end of the season... will teach these young'uns what they need to know to make them champions. This game was exactly what we ALL needed. These gals are gonna watch the playoffs and know they should have been there. They deserved to be there. And come May '04, they'll remember how it felt to just watch.
 
I also want to extend my appreciation to all the StormFans I had a chance to meet this year. Thank you for making me feel, in my small and sporadic way, part of the World Wide StormFan Family!
 
We're gonna kick some butt next year.

Submitted by | JRod

These last two games are exactly the way I wanted to see the team end the season, on a high note.  
 
The evening began, just as it had for most games, at Mr. Lucky's for dinner and a Bloody Mary. Then we went to the "yard sale" on the west plaza. I bought one of the old green shooting shirts, #3 on the collar (of course). Big thanks to Skip and Mary, they bought me a huge "Beat Portland" banner, from last year. I goes up in my room, which is quickly becoming a Storm shrine.  Not just a wall, but the whole room.  
 
Pre-game:
 
The standing ovation given Edna Campbell (which seemed to go on forever), had me and my mom in tears. More and more, my love for the city of Seattle grows. And, so does my love for my fellow Storm peeps.  
 
Anthem: I've heard better this season.
 
Game: WOW! Talk about sloppy opening minutes. I didn't think anybody was ever going to score. Then, we finally saw some scoring. This was a physical game--bodies flying everywhere.

Question for Yo: Was that a dance or a temper tantrum? I said a dance, at first. My mom said it was a temper tantrum, that would have gotten my butt beat, if I had ever thrown one like that as a child.
 
Tully hit the floor, a lot, so we all know that it was a game. Sue looked very relaxed, please get the knee taken care of and come back healthy. Alisa Burras has my love, admiration, and respect. She gave us substantial minutes and 9 points, all the while in some serious pain. That wasn't really a grin on her face, folks. That was Alisa gritting her teeth against the pain.  What class, heart and guts. Get well, and tear the league up next year.  
 
Did anyone else see Howard's reaction to Yo taking Tully out, at mid court. Howard jumped up outta his seat and started yelling at the ref. Good onya, Howard!
 
Post game: Tears again.  
 
Lauren is so cute, when the MVP chant started, she ducks her head and says "no, no, no"  Lozza, you are the MVP!  We know it. Other players in the league have said it. And, other coaches around the league have said it.  
 
Kamila, get used to it. Storm fans love ya. When KV started crying, I looked at my mom (through my own tears) and she had tears running down her face.  
 
I woke up this morning with a feeling of emptiness. While the playoffs begin tomorrow, my season is now at an end. I am so disappointed. Not for myself, heck the team gave me more than my money's worth, this season. I'm disappointed for the team. They worked so hard and gave it all they had. To miss it by just that much *holding thumb and forefinger about an inch apart*
 
I'll miss seeing this team play, for the next nine months. But, I must say--the future looks very bright.
 
Thanks to all my Storm peeps for another great season.

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