The Sky Open 2012 Campaign
After defeating Washington in a preseason game at New Trier High School in Winnetka, the Sky will travel to the nation’s capital on Saturday, May 19 to battle the Mystics to officially begin the 2012 WNBA season. Tip off is set for 6 PM CT and the game will be broadcast on CN 100 and also be available on WNBA LiveAccess.
While Chicago may have gotten the best of Washington in 2011, sweeping the Mystics in four games, Trudi Lacey has her squad playing at a very high level, giving the Sky all they could handle in their early preseason matchup and then absolutely crushing Connecticut by 19 only four days later.
Much of the success comes from the Mystics style of play – tough, hard-nosed basketball. With the additions of former Sky favorites Dominique Canty, Michelle Snow and Lindsay Wisdom-Hylton, not to mention Ashley Robinson from Seattle, the Mystics have added veterans who bring poise and mental toughness to an otherwise young talented team. Led by Crystal Langhorne and a finally healthy Monique Currie, this year’s version of the Mystics will be nobody’s doormat.
Obviously veteran leadership is also exactly what the Sky went looking for this offseason, and they found it with the additions of Swin Cash, Ruth Riley, Ticha Penicheiro and Le’coe Willingham. The Sky now has four players with WNBA championship experience.
Despite the talented acquisitions, the Sky had its ups and downs in the preseason, finishing 2-1 as the new players learned how best to fit into Pokey Chatman’s system, how high they could throw the rock where only Big Syl could catch it, and most importantly how not to turn their heads on Ticha or Courtney on the break. But there are many reasons to be optimistic about this new look Sky.
It’s going to be a rough, physical matchup to start the season. Be sure to tune in and cheer for your Sky.
