Final score: Storm 78 – Silver Stars 57 (W) (4-1)

Submitted by Norwester

Blow-outs are often not the most interesting of games to watch as a fan, that is unless said blow-outs involve sweet, sweet revenge. We've been the whipping boy for SASS repeatedly in the past couple of seasons. Perhaps from their perspective this has been revenge for the repeated smack downs we laid on their often hapless, under-achieving team, but as a Storm fan the ugly way they've been beating us lately has stuck in my craw. So much so that I'm sort of disappointed that we lost our focus at times during the game, rather than putting our collective foot on their neck. But given their talent level signs of life were to be expected, and we gave them plenty of opportunities with unforced turnovers, particularly as the half ended. Ultimately, it's nice to still have clear areas in which to improve as a team. As lovely as this win was, it was not a perfect win, and I look forward to the growth we have yet to do as a team.

The theme for this game was Girls' Night Out, and involved complementary massages and hair-styling on the concourse, while I live band performed. I brought a friend to scope all of that out while I went to watch warm-ups. The hair stylists refused to cut one young girl's long, long hair. They mostly limited the cutting to bangs, and doing some simple curling, etc. I think they probably could have used more than 2 massage stations, but the short time my friend got she said was quality. The band was playing some rock-type music, that in my mind was sort of incongruous with a massage, but that's probably just me. My friend does report that the band indulged in some groan-inducing and annoying patter between songs. For instance, there was an "icky, inappropriate" comment about Sheryl Swoopes along the lines of "can't wait to see her to a lay-up followed by some oohs and "that's what I'm talking about." Whatever.

What stood out for me in warm-ups was the shiny, shiny silver shoes Adia was wearing. I hope someone got a picture. Then it dawned on my as I admired the SASS road uniforms (the black with silver stars is just cool, I can't help it) that Adia was wearing silver and black! I made a comment to another STH, and they said that last game (against Sac) one of the owners had been wearing purple. Tch, tch, tch. I was thinking that clearly we needed to be more cognizant of our attire as an organization; but in retrospect if such things focus our team to this degree, then I say Adia should wear opposing team colors every night. Bring on the red for Houston. (Later, on the radio broadcast Adia admitted to the gaffe, and it turns out that Dick Fain and Kevin Pelton were also in versions of black and gray; they promised to never commit such an infraction again...but again I say: maybe it helped ).

I want to reiterate that I like the pre-game stuff they're showing on the Arenavision (AV) this year: besided the requisite commercials by sponsors and the WNBA, they're showing informational slides detailing the contests they'll be running during the game and when, who will be singing the anthem and performing at half-time, and the amenities available on the concourse from food vendor to ATM locations.

The anthem was sung by local artist Vanessa Thompson (see www.vanessathompson.net). I was actually impressed. It was fairly straight-forward; she hit the low notes well, and really hit the high notes (including the high-high note on "free") with a lot of power but without seemed to scream.

Other pre-game notes: Mini refused to join the dance-contest event to be held later in the game (though I can't cast stones, as I did as well ). As they left the court after warm-ups Shyra signed some lady's leg (her pants)! Sue seemed super energetic (she was jumping up and hitting her shoulder on the wall as they players stood around waiting to emerge for shoot-around). And the song they play as the players come out for shoot-around is indeed the Jay-Z song "Show Me What You Got". I thank everyone for their help in identifying this.

Refs: #7 (I have bad associations with this guy), #28 and #43. Edwige and Hammon both got plenty of applause for the opposition (and Sandy, which the PA Guy dropped the ball on). The game opened up with LJ going on 10-0 run against SASS, started by an &1 right out of the gate, and forcing a SASS timeout at the 7-minute mark, and earning a standing ovation from the crowd. She didn't break her own team record of 11 points to open a game, but that was immaterial, because despite her scoring frenzy (something that was really good to see after her struggles as of late) it was our team's defense that was wowing us. Our defense was incredible. Some of the most precise and aggressive rotations I've ever seen from our team. I was astounded. Sophia Young got the LJ-treatment (stifling help defense), and we consistently cut off Hammon from driving along the baseline to kick it out, or really driving at all. It was excellent!

Meanwhile the refs were calling some weak fouls both ways. LJ got hit; so did Wauters. There were some really nice blocks on both sides that were called fouls. I guess it ultimately evened out, though it got annoying late in the game when we kept sending the Stars to the free throw line. In fact, that's where SASS finally scored from with only 4-1/2 minutes to go in the 1st: the charity stripe. They didn't have a field goal until there were like 30 seconds left! LJ had 16 points in the quarter. Sue had a beautiful lay-up with English on it that rivaled the Becky Hammon one everyone was loving from last game, and despite playing T at point guard (we had the game so well in hand, that even though the crowd was great, overall it was kind of quiet in between plays, so you could really hear individual phrases as some people yelled...this is the kind of crowd that can get me in trouble ), prompting me to yell "T is not a point guard" and committing some unforced turnovers in the waning seconds, it was a great quarter. 1Q: 22-7, Storm

It was kind of good that we opened up this big lead early. Apart from being a new way of doing business for our team (a refreshing change), and putting us up at the half finally, we played SASS pretty evenly the rest of the game, edging them out by a couple of points in each of the remaining quarters. We played pretty evenly to start the 2nd. Swoopes had some good plays, and the Game Production people had dug up the "Swoopes there it is" sound effect. There's one with coins clinking for Swin, and the didgeridoo
for LJ, the lunch-whistle for Yo, the "ole, ole" song for Santos, but nothing for Sue. Is it in her contract or something? Would bird noises be too cheesy? I'm just saying.

Anyway, At one point Sue and Beck were both on the bench and I freaked out a touch, but we actually went on a mini-run. T isn't a point guard, but I'm comfortable with her taking shots. Yo and Sheryl checked out to a half-standing-ovation with 3-1/2 minutes remaining in the half. LJ's one field goal for the quarter came right after she blocked a SASS shot as the shot clock ran out (before the ball could go out of bounds ), then she hit a really nice turnaround jumper to keep us up 37-12. The All-State good hands play of the game was a beauty Yo block ahead to Sue who wrapped around at the baseline and hit a driving LJ for a bucket. Sadly, the end of the half was chock full of frustrations as SASS started hitting some shots, mostly off of unforced, ugly turn-overs on our part, or a bunch of 1-and-done failure to get rebounds by the Storm which were really making the crowd uneasy, and SASS went on a mini run. So the crowd was excited and gave a standing cheer as the teams returned to their locker rooms, but we ended the half ugly and with some frustrations. HT: 39-23

So we owned the paint in the first half and out-rebounded SASS, though they shot more free throws. As a new experience, let's see if we can protect a lead! The Silver Stars opened up the 2nd half with a quick three. They were in danger of really making it a game. But we battled back, going right to LJ with the ball. Yo went to the line to make 1/2 free throws and sit the crowd down. LJ had a 3 that bounced out and back in (it's nice to have the bounces start going our way). And Sue hit a jumper off an LJ screen that put the Storm up 47-29 with about 5 minutes to go in the 3rd. We were clicking along just fine. T was playing some good minutes as shooting guard, and got hit for a lay-ins on fast break. But then she switched to point guard and our offense kind of stagnated.

T worked hard though, and when LJ went out after hitting another 3, Sue came in to resume charge of the offense. LJ went down the bench to sit down, but coach called her back up to sit next to him. Meanwhile Sue hit T again on a fast-break lay-in. Yo left the court limping somewhat, and was laid down on the floor in front of the bench while the trainer stretched out her legs. LJ checked back in, and just like clock-work Sue hit her for a bucket. How many times have we heardh "LJ from Sue Bird"? Well, it's something you can never hear too much. 3Q: 60-40

I thought that we got called for fouls on Wauters a couple of times in the game when she just got ahead of herself and tripped over her own feet. Becky Hammon finally scored from the line 1-1/2 minutes into the 4th quarter. With just under 8 minutes to go the Storm were called for a foul, SASS went to the sideline to take it out, the crowd starts chanting de-fense, and we're at it for a couple of minutes while nothing goes on on the court except the refs talking about something. Randomly, they send SASS to the line instead. Swin came alive with some blocks and put-backs. She had an awesome BLOCK on Wauters, then hit the jumper at the other end to make it 68-45 with about 7 minutes to go, and our defense was looking great, after a bit of a lull earlier in the half.

Sue and LJ checked out (perhaps in a time-out, so we really didn't get a chance to cheer them off ). With 6 minutes to go only Swin and Yo and the bench remained. I was wondering where Ashley was, and lo and behold, coach checked her in for Yo. Yo got a standing ovation and cheers. She may not score much, but she goes to work, and had a ton of rebounds. The benchies' offense kind of stagnated. Swin came out to big cheers, up 74-51 with 3-1/2 minutes to go. Santos had some good moves. I've worried about Katie a bit the past couple of games. I don't know if opponents have scouted her better, or what. Perhaps we need to work her off of some screens more? The jury is also out for me on Shyra. She makes some great plays, but then follows them up by causing a stupid turnover or foul. We'll see. Meanwhile, the starters on the bench were having great fun cheering for the benchies on the floor. It's nice to see everyone be all smiles.

LJ was kept on the court for the radio interview as "Player of the Game." First she like mauled Jordan, grabbbing him in a head-lock. She got big cheers as she was introduced (of course). When asked the difference, she said it was the extra practice the past few days, that it helped given them better chemistry. She admitted that the rest was good too, but said that they also practiced pretty hard, and it paid off. Dick Fain brought up how they finally had a good first half, and asked what decided that. LJ replied, to laughter, "yeah, I think it had something to do with the 4 days of practice."

Clearly the practice helped! I was a bit worried before the game, because the Silver Stars also got 5 days off to practice and fine-tune things. But they also had to travel, and were frankly at a mental disadvantage since they've owned us so handily lately. A good win, though. I'm eager to see if this new-found defensive chemistry can extend to our next few games.

Run-off:

I have some bones to pick with the Game Production people: (1) after the "fan instructional" video plays and we're whipped into a frenzy, please pick a familiar song with a beat and play it so we can all clap along in unison and keep the energy going; (2) the tip-off song needs to be something familiar, and needs to come in sooner...it seemed to me that they played some random song that killed the mood ...if all else fails fall back on "everybody can-can"; (3) the PA Guy appropriately emphasized Edwige Lawson-Wade's return, and allowed for applause, but totally blew over Sandy Brondello

Pre-game Anne Levinson joined a group at center court to give $20,000 to Seattle Public Schools for a reading program (Anne is the chair person of the group). She was appropriately attired in brown and green (the appropriate part being she wasn't wearing black and silver ).

Jr. Captains Zoe and Marilyn got to join Sue, LJ, Darling and Hammon at center court. Wanda and Vivian were this game's "High 5 Kids" (they got to watch warm-ups from the bench, and high-five the players as they emerge onto the court).

The pesto-cheese flatbread they sell at the Queen Anne Pizza Kitchen (new this year?) is really good, but greasy.

Sue Bird Movie Magic, as Dr. Evil: "We get the warhead and we hold the world ransom for... ONE MILLION DOLLARS!"

Ron Sims was in the house and got a smattering of applause and scattered boos upon introduction.

Sue Quigley performed at half time. I have to say that her voice was pleasant enough, and the guitar-playing and bass were solid. But really? This is a sporting event half-time show. Know your venue a bit better and play something a bit up-beat. The crowd is not looking for something to mellow them out. I'm just saying.

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