As part of the Mercury’s fitness platform, which teaches kids and teens the importance of staying physically fit, the Phoenix Mercury High School tour will have eight stops from January through March. At each tour stop either Mercury General Manager, Ann Meyers Drysdale, or a member of the Mercury coaching staff will attend a girls’ basketball game and provide an exclusive motivational talk to both teams prior to the game.

There will also be a talk with parents of athletes at halftime of each game, providing a behind-the-scenes look at issues that the student athletes will face at the collegiate and professional level. Both teams will also have the opportunity to take a picture with the WNBA Championship trophy.

Four tour stops have been scheduled and four openings remain. Interested coaches should contact Lisa Kowalewski at 602.379.7809 or lkowalewski@phoenixmercury.com to schedule a tour stop.

First Stop: South Mountain Jaguars vs. Mesquite Wildcats

The matchup of the Jaguars vs. the Wildcats came down to the final minutes on our first stop of the 2008 Mercury High School Tour. South Mountain was victorious, winning the game 61-49 on Friday night. The Jaguars record improves to 14-4 while the Wildcats are 17-6.

BP’s Pick: Player of the Game: South Mountain: Simone Holmes
Holmes, a 5'8 senior, finished wtih 17 points while going 4-for-4 on free throws and 3-for-9 on three pointers. She also recorded 5 rebounds, 1 block, and tied to lead her team with 5 steals.

The Mesquite Wildcats sit as Mercury Assistant Coach Bridget Pettis gives an inspirational speech.

The South Mountain Jaguars pose with Mercury Assistant Coach Bridget Pettis.

Second Stop: Westview Knights vs. Ironwood Eagles

02.06.08 – The Phoenix Mercury High School Tour made its second stop last night at Westview High School’s Senior Night. The Knights faced the Ironwood Eagles, and made a statement as they won 90-47. Westview improves to 22-5, while Ironwood falls to 11-15.

BP’s Pick: Player of the Game Westview: Laquesha Franklin
Franklin, a 6’0 junior, led the charge for the Knights with a double-double: 17 points on 8 for 10 shooting from the field and 10 rebounds. She also recorded 3 blocks and 2 assists. Congratulations on being named BP’s Pick of the Game, Laquesha!

The Westview Knights pose with Mercury Head Coach Corey Gaines and GM Ann Meyers Drysdale.

The Ironwood Eagles pose with Mercury Head Coach Corey Gaines and GM Ann Meyers Drysdale.

Third Stop: Apache Junction Prospectors vs. Chaparral Firebirds

02.07.08 - The Phoenix Mercury High School Tour made its third stop last night at Apache Junction High School for the Prospectors’ last regular season game against the Chaparral High School Firebirds. Chaparral came out on top with a 70-48 victory. The Firebirds improve to 19-8, while Apache Junction falls to 6-18.

BP’s Pick: Player of the Game: Chaparral: Aria Krumwiede
Krumwiede, a senior point guard, controlled the court while scoring 26 points and finishing with 7 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals. Congratulations on being named BP’s Pick of the Game, Aria!

The Westview Knights pose with Mercury Head Coach Corey Gaines and Assistant Coach Bridget Pettis.

The Ironwood Eagles pose with Mercury Head Coach Corey Gaines and Assistant Coach Bridget Pettis.

02.08.08 – On Friday, the fourth stop on our Mercury High School Tour saw the Desert Vista Thunder take on the Mountain Pointe Pride. The game was tied at 10 after the first quarter, but the Thunder took charge and were victorious 52-33. Desert Vista improves their record to 19-5, while Mountain Pointe falls to 9-19.

The Desert Vista Thunder pose with Mercury Assistant Coach Bridget Pettis.	The Mountain Pointe Pride pose with Mercury Assistant Coach Bridget Pettis.
Coach Pettis gives an inspirational speech to the Mountain Pointe Pride.