Secretary Duncan At the Mystics Game - Supporting Title IX

Mystics Reach for the Stars and Land on the Sky

This was Alana's game. There is no question that this is a team that is seeking a championship. Finally, we have a team and structure that allow Alana Beard to do what she does best, score. And score she did, as she ran away with 31 points aganist the Chicago Sky.

Washington started this game with an early lead that was slowly lost as the Mystics' post player seem incapable of getting a rebound. In fact, to Coach Julie Plank's dismay, the Mystics ended the 1st half with only 8 measly rebounds to the Sky's 21. With the Sky creating so many second and third opportunities at the basket, it is no surprise that the Mystics trailed the Sky heading into the locker room after the half. Fans, like me, worried that we would see a repeat of last nights game in Atlanta.

Well, Coach Julie had other ideas. I would hate to have been in that locker room, but whatever was said. It worked. The Mystics came out like gangbusters, scoring 52 and 21 rebounds in the second half to demolish the Sky and retain their top spot in the Eastern conference, 81-72.

While it was good to see former MD Terp Kristi Tolliver playing in a pro uniform and make a key contribution for her team scoring 13 points off the bench. I was elated to see her put down by the more senior former Terp, Crystal Langhorne, also off the bench for 14 pts, 6 rebounds and 2 steals. Unfortunately, Marissa Coleman had to watch her former MD teamates from the bench while she recovers from a high ankle sprain.

In the next few days, I will have more to say about this new 11 person rooster. In the short term, I am glad to see the Mystics Rallying through.

Happy Father's Day.

Mystics Put to Sleep by the Dream

It was bound to happen sooner or later, but I will be the first to admit that I was praying for later. Tonight, the Mystics suffer there first lost this season to the Mystics 3rd String, I mean, the Atlanta Dream. Just kidding. I have to give props to fromer Mystics, and one of my favorite point guards of all time, Nikki Teasley, who lead her team to the first win ever against the Mystics. There defense was tight and all five starters shot double digits lead by former Houston Comet, Sancho Lyttle, who shot for 20 pts.

So, you like me have one question on your mind. What happened? And will it happen again tomorrow against the Chicago Sky. I wish I could weave you some intricate tale of constant back and forth, until in the last minute of the game, the Dream wrench victory away, but I can't. Instead, I will say that this team was outscored in the paint and at the line and to add insult to injury, out rebound. The downtime last week, resulted in J. Onino being dropped and Kristen Mann being resigned as star rookie Marissa Coleman is out for 4-6 weeks with an ankle sprain.

Us University of Maryland fans will have to wait on the Kristi Tolliver, Marissa Coleman Match Up that we were all waiting on. Instead, we will have to settle for wishing Kristi well , while we cheer Crystal Langhorne and the former Dukies to victory.

Safe travels from Atlanta, Mystics. Rest up and regroup for tomorrow's game.

Can We Sat UNDEFEATED!!!!!!

I don't want to get too excited to early, but.... THE MYSTICS ARE UNDEFEATED 3-0. We have the best record in the league. OH MY GOD!!!! I don't even know how to act. This is the best that we have done in the history of the franchise. This coupled with the fact that the Mystics have not won in Detroit since 2005. Damn.

Enough ranting. Let's talk basketball. This game was very evenly matched, except for one thing. The SECOND Quarter. In the first qtr, the Shock ended with a 9-0 run topped by a 3 point shoot by Alexis Hornbuckle, the 2nd year guard from Tennessee. In the 2nd qtr, we shined forcing an 18-2 run aganist the world championship Shock. The third and fourth qtr, the Mystics run neck and neck but determination, a deep bench and sheer talent win out and the Mystics win 75 to 69.

I wish I had a great photo but the win will have to be enough.

All I can say is Go Mystics!!!! Rest up then practice hard. We have the Atlanta again on the 19th in Atlanta. Let's go for win #4!!!!

I'mmmmBack

Okay, I admit it. Last season was just too depressing for me to blog about. Truth is I am not a negative person and it was all I could do just to show up at every game. Taking the next step to come home and write about the pathetic experience....I just could not do it. But the long wait is over.... I AM BACK.

As I return to blogging, I must acknowledge that the world as I knew it has changed. We have an African American President and the Mystics are #1 in the Eastern Conference with a 2-0 lead. First time in franchise history for us to start with two game win. Even crazier, the Fever are dead last in the conference. WOW. I don't know about you but I could live in this current reality for a VERY long time.

As for the home opener, there is so much I could say. I could talk about ABs amazing 27 points. I could talk about the great contest of Mystics present vs. Mystics past, but it would all be a Dream. I could talk about how great the experience is from my upgraded seats in the VIP section. All of that would be great, but I am going to discuss the young players on this team that have brought a new energy and raised the Mystics' level of competition. Lets meet the young squad.....

Introducing Lindsay Harding.....

This 2007 #1 Draft Pick and Houston native is reunited with her Duke teammates, Alana Beard and Monique Currie, to create magic. As the Mystics starting point guard, it was clear in pre-season that things had changed on the floor. 2 years into here WNBA career and she plays with the heart and mind of a vet. Her ability to read and the floor and create opportunities for her team allowed Alana to get back to her REAL position of shooting guard. The results speak for themselves.

Introducing Matee Ajavon...

#5 in 2008 Draft, Liberian born, Jersey Raised Guard, has brought that Rutgers toughness to Washington. In Coach Springer-land, if you don't have an opportunity on the court, you make one. This is a lesson Matee learned well and she brings this intensity to the Mystics. Thank God. I expect her to me a goto player that we will rely on in a clench and be confident that she will get the job done.

Indroducing Tasha Humphrey...

This Georgia born and raised center is helping to take some of the pressure off vet Chastity Melvin and Nakia Sanford, which allows both to be rotated to 4 position as needed. While I would like a little more height at center, I appreciate Tasha's ability to box out the paint and bring a sense of order to chaos. I am pretty happy with her 5 rebounds in 11 minutes against the Sun and 2 3-point shoots in the same amount of time against the Dream.

Introducing Crystal Langhorne....

Maryland's 1st contribution to the Mystics came in the form of Crystal. Her transition from college to pros was one of the few bright spots in the 2008 season. Drafted #6 in the 2008 draft, right after Matee, Crystal's aggressive defensive style has a home in the defense focused Coach Plank plan. She plays off the bench (this is likely temporary) but in an impressive 22 minutes she contributed 8 rebounds and 10 points. As she develops her drop step under the basket, I look for regular double-doubles in the future.

Finally, Marissa Coleman...

There are no words to describe how impactful Marissa Coleman has been and will be on this team. If she stays healthy, she will be an contender for Rookie of the Year. Her ball handling skills, no look passes and dishes are so sick, I could hardly stand it. At Maryland, I would watch her morph into any player we needed to get a win and it is a pleasure to have her on our team. Word of warning, watch out Mo there is a new hustler in town. And although we did not get to see her matched against Angel McCoughtry in the NCAA Championship, last night we got a taste of what it might have been. Against the Dream her 9 points came with 4 turnovers, her 16 points and 5 rebounds against the competitive Sun gives us hope of things to come. We are glad to have this MD native play at home
Hey, forgot to give you the score. Mystics 77 Dream 71. Click here for the hightlights.