WEEKLY LEADERS
POINTS Jackson - 20.0 Edwards – 9.0 Vodichkova – 8.0 Bird - 7.7 Burse - 7.0 REBOUNDS Jackson - 7.0 Vodichkova - 6.5 Burse - 4.0 Sam – 3.7 Lennox – 3.3 ASSISTS Bird - 4.0 Vodichkova - 3.0 Lennox/Sam - 2.3
storm.wnba.com PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Rocky Widner/NBAE/Getty Lauren Jackson 20.0 points per game, 7.0 rpg, 2.5 bpg, 59.1% fgs, 81.3% fts Jackson wasn't the only difference between the Storm's 39-point defeat in Phoenix and its 10-point victory over the Mercury in Seattle - Kamila Vodichkova was also back and the Storm played its starters more minutes, just to name two - but she accounts for a rather significant amount of the 49-point swing. Jackson was simply marvelous against Phoenix, forcing the Mercury to double- and even triple-team her and continuing to score despite the extra defensive attention. It was pretty good for a preseason game, especially considering Jackson has been limited by a strained groin.

May 10-16
Record for the week: 1-1
Overall Record: 1-2 (preseason)
Standing: tie 5th, Western Conference

Friday, May 14, 2004

Storm 28 28 56 at Sacramento 19 40 59

Venturing back on the road six days after suffering an 83-44 defeat at the hands of the Phoenix Mercury, the Storm played much better against the Sacramento Monarchs, but still dropped a 59-56 decision. Seattle held the lead much of the first 30 minutes of the game, stifling Sacramento with pressure defense and holding the Monarchs to just 19 points by halftime. Over a four-minute stretch starting midway through the second half, however, Sacramento went on a 13-2 run that cut what had been the Storm's largest lead (13) to just two points. Storm Coach Anne Donovan went back to several of her starters, but that was not enough to slow the Monarchs onslaught. After Sacramento's Tangela Smith missed two free throws, the Storm did have a chance to tie the game on its final possession, but Sheri Sam missed a three at the buzzer. Making their preseason debuts, Lauren Jackson (11 points) and Kamila Vodichkova (12 points) were the Storm's leading scorers, as the backcourt of Sam, Sue Bird and Betty Lennox shot a combined 9-for-42 from the field. Yolanda Griffith led the Monarchs with 14 points, and four players scored 10 apiece.

Sunday, May 16, 2004

Phoenix 35 37 72 at Storm 46 36 82

After struggling with its offense during the first two games of preseason, averaging 50 points, the Storm busted out for 82 points - a franchise high for preseason play - in defeating the Phoenix Mercury by 10 points at KeyArena to conclude the preseason. The key was Jackson, who was simply unstoppable. Jackson had 20 points by halftime and finished with 29, hitting 8-of-10 field goals and 12-for-14 from the free-throw line. Behind Jackson's play, the Storm built an 11-point lead by halftime and led by as many as 20 in the second half, coasting to the win. Besides Jackson, Bird had 11 points and six assists and Tully Bevilaqua and Simone Edwards came off the bench to score nine points apiece, with reserve Janell Burse putting up eight points, seven rebounds and three blocks in limited action. Four Phoenix players in double-figures were led by guard Anna DeForge, who scored 15 points.

Weekly Happenings

Sheri Sam led the Storm in rebounds, assists and steals at Sacramento. Jeff Reinking/NBAE/Getty

Back at Home
The only two remaining Storm players from the team's inaugural 2000 campaign, centers Vodichkova and Edwards, both returned to training camp last week after concluding their overseas commitments, Vodichkova first practicing on Monday and Edwards on Thursday. Vodichkova looked like she never left, immediately sliding back into her starting role in the middle for the Storm's final two preseason games. Edwards, whose roster spot was not as secure as Vodichkova's, was more affected by her late return.

Final Roster Set
Edwards' late arrival, however, ended up not hurting her. With a strong performance in the Storm's final preseason game, scoring nine points against the Phoenix Mercury, Edwards survived the final cut, made on Monday afternoon. Departing for the Storm were guard Shaquala Williams (signed on Tuesday) and posts Andrea Gardner-Combs and Maren Walseth. In addition to Edwards, guards Bevilaqua and Michelle Greco, who had been at risk of being cut, also survived to make the final roster. Both players secured their roster spots with strong efforts in last week's preseason action.

The Storm currently has 12 players on the roster, but rookie forward Trina Frierson is expected to be placed on the injured list, bringing the Storm to the maximum 11 active players.

Injury Report