Final score: Storm 94 – Sky 76 (W) (7-6)

Submitted by Norwester

This game was really fun and relaxed, though pretty much devoid of drama. Still, I couldn't help but be giddy from the beginning of the night to have our team back in town. I know it was only a couple game road trip they were on, but few things beat the sensation of sitting in Key Arena as fans trickle in, the atmosphere of anticipation, the mediocre concessions, the music, the sights. It gets in your blood. And it was clear as the game progressed that this was a different team then the one that buried the Sky in the second half one game, then lost to Indiana in the next. We still have work to do, and perhaps the emotional turmoil prompted by certain recent newspaper articles cleared the air somewhat. There's nothing like external attacks to bring a team together internally. Our passing was crisper overall, our defense had some great moments (when the game was still in doubt), Ely has actually started showing us some of what Anne must have seen in camp (as she gets some of Katie Gearlds' minutes), Sue was solid, Betty is playing with more energy, JB is becoming a more consistent inside threat, Wendy is regaining some of the bounce to her step, the fans are more vocally supportive of Coach (which she has to appreciate), and LJ had back-to-back 30+ point games (with the potential more much more than she got, but she didn't play for like the final 7-1/2 minutes. I would like to see Katie still getting some minutes, just so she doesn't lose confidence. I also wish we'd see some more of the Ashley of the 1st Houston game. But these are mostly quibbles. The Sky had some jaw-dropping plays, and entirely too many wide-open lay-ups and three-pointers. They have some really good pieces, but in the end just could not stand up to the offensive prowess of the Storm.

Sue and LJ were on court shooting around when the doors opened, along with Izi. Remember the days when LJ was the last out on the court due to extended treatment for a myriad of injuries? Yeah, I've blocked those days out as well. They stopped and talked for a bit, but Sue was constantly fiddling with the ball throughout their conversation: dribbling it between her legs, rolling it along her arms, tossing it from hand to hand. It was fun to see how unconsciously Sue is a basketball player.

Another chuckle-moment during shoot around was when a Sky player shot a three and air-balled it right into the back of a teammate's head. Hey, we've all been there (getting hit in the head with a basketball), right?

The officials were #11 Tina Napier, #31 Amy Bonner and #24 Tony Dawkins. You can look up their names here. This game was not a reffing debacle like the Detroit game (thankfully). #24 was sure whistle-happy, though. Sadly for the Sky, it was mostly against them. There were a couple of really bad calls against the Storm, but mostly Sue or LJ had a few quick words with the nearest official, and our team just shrugged it off. That was nice. It takes you out of the game to have to boo the officials every two minutes, though I'm sure Sky fans were at about that point.

We started out the game with a little Sue/Betty miscommunication on the tip, that resulted in the ball going out of bounds and Sky possession. But soon JB had scored on a nifty move to the basket. We all quickly got back to our feet briefly in appreciation of a Izi cross-court pass to Betty for a lay-in on a fast break. It used to be that I was jealous of other teams for having a few brilliant passing plays per game, but we're seeing this more often now from the Storm. The crowd was on the smallish side, but appropriately vocal. LJ was called for a foul without even touching her defendee (it was right in front of me, and this was confirmed on replay), but Stacy Dales was quickly called for a pretty straight-up defensive play, so what can you do?

The Sky were playing us pretty closely, and we were up 10-7 after an LJ &1, completed after a timeout with about 5 minutes to go in the 1st. LJ was being swarmed early whenever she even touched the ball, but this seemed to either taper off as the game went on, or else the Storm got more creative in getting her open. And Betty is pulling a nice little stop & pop out with more frequency this year, and I really like it, particularly as an alternative to her drive into the trees for a charge or other turnover, which we've criticized in years past. Our defensive rebounding was pretty good, though at this point I'd have liked to see some more offensive rebounds. 1Q: 20-13 on LJ free-throws after a hard spill that put Chicago in the penalty. T checked in at the end, and continued into the 2nd.

After being treated to some Mascot Bowling and Donna's intro, we were right back in the basketball business. Shyra was actually showing signs of life, even though she was in early and the game was still being contested. She exhibited both offensive and defensive moves and intensity, and received applause upon subbing out 3 minutes in, Storm up 25-19. See? We have nothing against her personally, but she needs to show us why Barb is gone, and I think we're finally getting a glimpse.

We continued to edge ahead of Chicago with our high-octane offense, but our defense was also disrupting them enough to make our points count. At one point Izi was whipping down the court in her customary manner on a fast break, and just as she seemed in danger of getting called for a charge (as we saw so frequently against Detroit), she made a sudden change in direction and passed to Wendy wide-open underneath the basket! Later this play was awarded the All-State Good Hands play, but in the moment is forced a Sky timeout and earned a standing ovation. 30-21. The next time the crowd got that loud was off a Betty Lennox touch pass to LJ at the top of the key for a 3 to put us up 37-22, the cheering and applause swelling even more when the Sky subsequently turned the ball over. Sadly, we couldn't capitalize, due to some JB butter fingers. She's showing good moves, but she's also been dropping some balls lately.

As the half wound down our play got a little sloppy, or rather it seemed that we were going after the closer/riskier plays. However, generally things were still going our way. The ball would bounce for us, more than against us in these situations, which is a really positive sign for a better rhythm/team playing chemistry. Out of a Storm timeout ref #31 signaled Sky ball, mistakenly, and Sue was right on top of that, protesting. Whoops! Then #11 got some grief for calling a charge against Betty when the ref right on top of the play did not (that ref walked right over to have a "talk" with the other one, in addition to the fans politely and demurely expressing their displeasure ). T gave us some good time on the court tonight, mostly because she was rarely out there without Sue. This does not fulfill the back-up point guard role we've needed, but I think it does throw a different, switching defensive look at the opposing team, and Sue and T can switch up PG/SG duties too. So I kind of like it. LJ & T trapped a Sky player on the sidelines with a minute to go, forcing a timeout call to much applause.

I think the Betty-LJ on-court chemistry is better this year than I've noticed in the pass. Betty had some outstanding assists to LJ in the half, mostly because defenders collapse on her when she drives. We're also starting to get really consistent production from Wendy off the bench, which is a powerful piece of the puzzle for us. She's starting to look more like her pre-Achilles-tear self. And of course the Sue-LJ two-woman game seems to be clicking right along again. Another good thing we're seeing is more one-on-one shot-creation moves from LJ. She was potent before on the block, but now she mixes that up with driving in fairly consistently from the wings. We saw glimpses of this last year, but it's such a pleasure to watch her this year with a new spring in her step. If we could find a solid power-forward presence that teams would have to respect, I think LJ is plenty fast to play small forward. Perhaps it's time to draft a post-project for Anne, LJ and JB to work on/mentor. I've seen LJ beat many a player with that quick first step this season. And with such a deep draft it seems like we should be able to pick up something. For once, I'm pretty confident with our small forward/shooting guard rotation. I mean, clearly we need a back-up point guard, but since we don't seem to really develop guards, I'd like to see us get a non-rookie for that position anyway. Anyway, we were a bit discombobulated at the end of the half. HT: 43-29

One of the funniest sequences of the game came as half-time wound down (though I hear something similar happened in LA, I don't have the details of that). LJ was the first one out of the locker room, emerging with 6 or 7 minutes left in the break. She was very focused out there, working on her shot. Then the commercial for tickets came on that features her half-court+ shot from the Houston game. She ignored it initially, but the third time or so her name is mentioned in the call (as the shot is going in) the fans are starting to applaud and cheer and she finally cranes her neck to look up at the ArenaVision, then gives the fans a sheepish smile in embarrassed pleasure, which of course just egged us all on, because Storm fans one and all like to make LJ blush over her accomplishments. We settled down. She shot a few more balls, back to business. No one else had come out of the locker room yet, so she dribbled over to the bench and sat, all alone, the ball in her lap. Finally with 3-1/2 minutes or so to go in the break Anne and the team emerge from the tunnel, Anne holding her hands out like "where were you" when she saw LJ (who stood up) then Sue doing the same thing right behind her. LJ just laughed and laughed, doing her own "where were you guys" impression. I don't know if she just snuck off, if they were all waiting for her to get back before coming back to the court, if she thought they were right behind her...it was very funny, though, and epitomized the light-heartedness we've witnessed from the team the last couple games. It's a joy to them "having fun" out there, as seems to be our new mantra for them. But I do have to say, you'd think it would be hard to "sneak off" with a 6'5" presence like Lauren has.

The 2nd half started pretty slowly for us. A few minutes in we still hadn't scored, and AD called a quick 20-second timeout to regroup. The fans were all still standing (though most rested during the timeout). The Storm had a bunch of turnovers, but finally started to settle down, and LJ went to the line to sit us down with free throws. Then she blocked the ball (though it was a pretty physical play), missed a 3, but Izi got the rebound and put up a beautiful reverse lay-up, getting praise from LJ on that play. We were of course all up on our feet screaming in delight. We did a lot of our scoring this quarter from the foul line, as the Sky were in the penalty with over 5 minutes to go, though I have to say that many of those fouls were suspect. I was happy to benefit, but I felt badly for the Sky because it kind of took some of the wind out of their sails, and with all the whistling it promised to be a long quarter. What was really impressive about the Storm this quarter was our second and third efforts on rebounds, or holding on to the ball and falling out of frequent scrums with possession and often a foul, versus a forced jump ball. LJ busted out some more of those one-on-one moves, and key word of the game, it was just "fun." Despite a defense that went rather porous at the end, and allowed several 3-point shots. LJ finished off the quarter in style with an &1 play, putting her at 31 points and 12 rebounds. Amazing. 3Q: 75-56

So the game continued. Things were going our way, despite continued 3s and uncontested lay-ups by the Sky. It was kind of hard to muster up defensive intensity, I guess. T hit a 3...which we'll take every time. Over 8 minutes to go, up 80-59 and Sue checks out to a half standing ovation. It kind of took everyone by surprise a little bit, I think, so a minute later LJ got a full-on standing, cheering send-off as she sat. It was kind of too bad to see LJ check out so soon, becuase it's pretty certain that she could've set her new high, plus a couple more moves in the paint, and I think the situation would have been ripe for busting out the MVP chant. Though sadly I think the Aussie, Aussie, Aussie/Oi, Oi, Oi chant is getting a little overused, and may have drowned out any attempt to start MVP. And perhaps it is too early in the season, but that doesn't need to necessarily deter a Stormfan. But on the subject of the Aussie x3/Oi x3 chant, it is fun. We all like participating. But don't you think that once per foul line appearance is enough? I think we have dueling factions, and it's diluting the fun. Of course, that's just my unsolicited opinion. I'm not judging.

Not much else to say the rest of the way. The benchies actually kind of held their own. LJ sat ahead 82-62. We kept waiting for Fluker and Robinson to score, but sadly, while both had chances, neither capitalized. Some of that may be that the offense loses some of its flow with Sue on the bench, so their looks weren't as easy. Sue and LJ were communicating with one of the courtside fans across the arena from them. He was gesturing something about them not going back in, and they all seemed amused at the interaction. The most fireworks probably came with just under 5 minutes to go when Wendy busted out a head/shoulder fake in the post so convincing, that it convinced the ref that she'd traveled. It was a great move, and upon the traveling call the place went crazy with the booing, while LJ leaped up from the bench with her hands on her head in disbelief. Oh, well. It's fun to watch the starters on the bench be so animated while the Benchies are in the game. The PA Guy got us to our feet with like 2 minutes to go. Shyra got undercut and went down hard. Fortunately she seemed fine.

LJ was given the game ball to hand out, and she tossed it into the crowd behind the scorer's table. Then she was interviewed by Alan Horton: her goal was just to go out and have fun; she felt comfortable and relaxed, and physically this is the best she's felt with the Storm. As a team they're trying to focus more on defense, which she credits for their ability to build a big lead on Chicago, and they feel like ever since the Minnesota heart-breaker that they're getting back on track. Also, there's no place like home!

Run-off

StormVision before the game was all about Wendy Palmer. There were some audio issues at the end, so I didn't get every word, but I think I got the gist. Training camp was really weird because there were so few players, but it ended up probably being a good thing ultimately because they got so much time playing with just one another. In camp Ashley was really a stand-out; she's strong, can jump so high, had worked on her shot, and was exhibiting a fire that she didn't show last year in Wendy's opinion. (Perhaps she's in need of a New Socks pep talk). Katie clearly showed in camp that she can shoot, which has exciting possibilities for taking pressure off of post players by drawing defenders outside, but she is a rookie only, so she'll likely have a rough road this season. Wendy's philosophy about her role as a "veteran leader" on the team is to embrace every second, do whatever the team needs, whether that's diving out of bounds after a loose ball or hitting the deck for a jump ball or anything, and to play as if there's no tomorrow.

Game Breakdown with Alan & Adia: It was a tough win in Chicago, but we put it together in the second half; Sue had a double-double (13 points, 11 assists); LJ had a quiet 17 points, but has been very consistent this season, even on her "quiet" nights. Key Arena fans make it great to play at home. The Sky are lead by Dupree who plays a Tim Duncan-esque game from the perimeter and inside, so she's one to keep an eye on.

Donna Orender was at the game. I saw her before hand, but she was also introduced during the game to applause and cheers. I know her qualifications are from the LPGA, right? I wonder how different it is promoting a sport involving individual players who gain nationwide fame and fans versus one where the emphasis is on teams who must gain local identities and must build support in their home cities to compete with the teams in other locales? It just seems like such a different model to me, the individuality of golf versus the team identity and infrastructure of basketball. But I'm just spit-balling here.

LJ was wearing her yellow shoes, and started the game with a pony tail, but that was put up into a bun at some point in the 1st half while she was lined up waiting for the opposing team to shoot free throws.

The anthem was just bizarre, as sung/performed by Deborah Winters, a local talent. I'm sure Ms. Winters is a perfectly lovely person, but her rendition of the anthem was very uneven, with plenty of frills, physical contortions, and change of cadence. I think she got the least amount of applause so far this season (though she did sing "o'er" at least...that's one mercy).

Sue, LJ and Stacy Dales lined up to present the Junior Captains with signed basketballs pre-game.

Pacific Medical Injury Report: Dominique Canty was inactive and did not travel with the team; Storm injury-free (knock on wood).

Sign of the night was probably BrrringIt's "Have Fun". Suggestions for next game: "Don't worry, play happy" with a big yellow smiley. Too cheesy? I don't know that there's a "cheese" line to cross with in-game signs. I can't hold one up, though, for reasons I've detailed previously.

Other game-break activities:
1Q = Discover Card Free Throw Line Shoot-out
2Q = Mini races, minus our customary PA-guy call, so it was even more dull than usual. The red car won, which got t-shirts thrown to Section 118.
2Q = Clips/montage of Katie Geards hoisting up the sign for "Katie Gearlds Way".

The Dance Troupe looked really good this game. Perhaps I just haven't watched them much so far this season, as I take game-break time to write a few notes to myself, but I had time to look around this game, and they had some nice routines.

We got the Dunking Ushers at half-time.

I've never seen the Sue & LJ mini-coop "driving around town," have you? What "town" are we talking about here?

I didn't see the "Microsoft Play of the Half". Hopefully it was either the Betty touch pass to LJ for 3, or the Izi cross-court pass to Betty. Who knows?

Storm Movie Magic (between 3rd & 4th quarters) with LJ: "You're gonna need a bigger boat." Seems simple, but her voice was lower, and inflection was right on, and it sounded like she busted out an American accent for the occasion. Jaws, of course. It was hilarious.

Towards the end of the game Doppler was throwing t-shirts to an enthusiastic crowd when he went up into the stands and came back with Mack Strong of the Seattle Seahawks, who helped throw shirts after that. Mack was apparently attending the game with the Teamworks Saturday Academy, which is a foundation of his? Something like that. They had a big banner with them.

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