Live From Press Row - Storm vs. New York
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Live From Press Row Archive
Storm Gets the Blowout Win
Final: Storm 86, New York 66
The New York Liberty outscored the Storm 20-13 in the fourth quarter, but a Barbara Turner 3-pointer made the final margin 20 points. It's the Storm's third win this season by 20 points or more, and New York's fifth loss by that many. Janell Burse, with 12 points and a career-high-tying 14 rebounds, and Lauren Jackson, with 26 points and eight rebounds in 21 minutes, led the way in this one. Is there anybody that questions the Storm's strength up front? Sue Bird and Betty Lennox also scored double-figures, and the Storm put up 73 points in the first three quarters. That's pretty sweet.
Remember to join us Sunday, when we'll be celebrating the history of women's professional basketball in Seattle by honoring the Seattle Reign.
Gortman Injured
Fourth Quarter: Storm 83, New York 62
The one thing you don't want to see on a game like this on other side is an injury. Unfortunately, Storm wing Shaunzinski Gortman went down on a fast break and stayed down as the play went the other direction. Seattle had to call timeout and, after some time, Gortman was helped off the floor by Athletic Trainer Annamarie Henkel and her assistant, Kate Fitzmaurice. We'll let you know if we hear anything more. New York has gotten within 21 largely on the strength of Sherill Baker's defense; she has three steals and six points in the last three minutes.
Looking Ahead ...
End Third Quarter: Storm 73, New York 46
Still a quarter left in this one, but with the Storm leading by 27, forgive me for looking ahead to the next two games. Why? In the next four days, both of the conference finalists from a year ago will visit KeyArena. On Sunday, it's the Connecticut Sun making their only visit to Seattle (6:00 p.m.,
). The Sun, in first place in the Eastern Conference, had four All-Stars, including All-Star Game MVP Katie Douglas.
The Sacramento Monarchs are, with a Storm win tonight, one game up in the race for second place in the Western Conference. The Storm got the Monarchs a couple of weeks ago at the Key and Seattle can even the season series at two games apiece with a win on Tuesday (6:00 p.m., ) in Kid's Day. It's always a very fun matinee ... if a bit noisy!
Storm Cruising
Third Quarter: Storm 64, New York 35
With the Storm pushing the lead as large as 32 points, the only drama right now is statistical in nature. Janell Burse is one rebound away from her career high of 14, set last month at Connecticut. Lauren Jackson, who's scored eight points in this quarter, is three rebounds away from a double-double. Betty Lennox is two rebounds away from a double-double. I'm almost certain the Storm has never had three double-doubles in a game before.
Rollergirls Invade
Halftime: Storm 49, New York 28
Halftime tonight saw the Rat City Rollergirls, Seattle's first and only all-female roller derby league. Now, there is a problem with having Rollergirls at KeyArena, that being they can't really rollerskate on the floor. Still, wearing only socks, they put on a great show. The KeyArena crowd really seemed to be into the presentation, especially when the Rollergirls tossed T-shirts into the crowd.
Storm Up 20 at the Half
Halftime: Storm 49, New York 28
Great first half for Shameka Christon, who had 14 points on 4-for-9 shooting and got to the free-throw line six times. Now that's the player Liberty fans call "Baby Swoopes." Unfortunately, three New York starters went scoreless and everyone besides Christon has shot 4-for-23 from the field (17.4%, if you're scoring at home).
The Storm, meanwhile, got 39 points from the starting lineup. Janell Burse, with 12 points and 10 rebounds, has her third double-double of the season. Lauren Jackson, with nine points and seven rebounds, is not far away from a double-double of her own.
Pedal Down
Second Quarter: Storm 37, New York 18
The Storm hasn't slowed down yet. Another 8-2 run has pushed the Storm up by 19 points with a little more than half of the second quarter left to play. Lauren Jackson has gotten going; she's got nine points and five rebounds. Could we get double double-doubles up front for the second time this season?
Fan Dance during the timeout on the StormVision, and the fans got a big kick out of Betty's brother Clarence - resplendent in teal with a white hat - getting his groove on in front of a great KeyArena crowd.
Where's the Offense Coming From?
Second Quarter: Storm 31, New York 16
Without Becky Hammon in the lineup, there is not a lot of offense for the New York Liberty, which has shot 6-for-21 from the field thus far. Shameka Christon has stepped up with eight points on 3-for-6 shooting. The talented Christon has taken the ball to the basket, something I'm surprised she hasn't done more during her WNBA career. Loree Moore is the only other New York starter to score thus far. The Storm has also made sure it's one-and-done for the Liberty - just one offensive rebound all night for New York.
Janell Burse already with 10 rebounds for the Storm.
Storm Takes Control
End First Quarter: Storm 24, New York 12
A couple of nice runs for the Storm following the first timeout - a 10-1 run followed by a 7-0 sprint to close the first quarter. During the huddle, Anne Donovan challenged her players to play with more passion, and Janell Burse in particular responded. Burse has eight rebounds in the first quarter, which is assuredly a Storm record (I'm afraid it's not kept) and has added six points. Lauren Jackson has five, as does Betty Lennox. Meanwhile, New York is shooting a paltry 23.5%.
Storm Looking to Control Turnovers
First Quarter: Storm 9, New York 7
Anne Donovan has been asked a couple of times in the last couple of days about the things the Storm needs to do in the second half of the season to go on a run like last year's six-game winning streak late in July. Anne's first point was control turnovers, an obvious one after the franchise-record 28 turnovers committed against Indiana. Even before that, the Storm was struggling a bit - not a ton, but a bit - with turnovers this season. Donovan can't then be happy that the Storm has three turnovers by our first timeout. New York has been putting on some pressure, which is not uncommon for a team that features one of the league's better ballhawks in rookie guard Sherill Baker.
Palmer Cast-Free
Pregame
Storm forward Wendy Palmer had the cast removed from her left foot this morning after spending two weeks with her injured left Achilles totally immobilized. Now, the Storm must watch and see how Palmer responds before finding out when she will be able to return to the lineup.
"They've done all they can do in terms of immobilizing it," said Storm Coach Anne Donovan. "She'll be in a boot, from what I understand, when she's walking great distances and she won't when she isn't.
"It's just a slow process. We'll see how she recovers."
While Palmer had some fun with the scooter she used to get around with the cast, she seems very excited to be back on her feet once again. She and the Storm will both be even more excited when Palmer can get back on the court.
Signing On
Pregame
The Seattle Storm is back from the All-Star break to take on the New York Liberty at KeyArena tonight. The last time the Storm was here, five days ago, a loss to the Indiana Fever that featured a franchise-record 28 turnovers was a disappointment. The Storm will look to take out any frustration on the New York Liberty, which comes into Seattle without leading scorer Becky Hammon and at 4-14 on the young season.
