Ally struggles through rookie year with illnesses

MOHEGAN — During Connecticut Sun training camp in April and May, observers saw in Allison Hightower an energetic, two-way guard who seemed far more valuable than the second-round pick used to get her.

Less noticeable was her resilience.

“Oh yeah, I was sucking air,“ Hightower said, laughing at the memory of four months prior. “I’m able to just go, go, go.”

Hightower finally stopped last week. Bogged down by fatigue and sickness, the rookie hasn’t dressed for the last three games while she and the team await the results of tests to determine why she’s felt ill not only of late but for the better part of the last calendar year.

Frequent ailments

Since the start of her senior season at LSU last fall, Hightower has dealt with multiple bouts of strep throat, the flu and, on at least one occasion, bronchitis. Twice this WNBA season, including during training camp, she’s played through strep, and last week, with the Sun nearing elimination from playoff contention, she told the team she simply felt too weak to play.

Sun coach Mike Thibault has said he doesn’t expect Hightower to play in either of the Sun’s final two games. She said she’s felt ill since a game at Washington last Tuesday, and with her overseas season approaching — she’s scheduled to leave for France on Sept. 15 — Connecticut is taking all necessary precautions.

“This past year has just been a rough year for me health-wise,” said Hightower, who visited doctors last week. “I just want to get back healthy. That’s all I’m striving for. Just rest now until they figure out what’s going on.”

Thibault has been impressed by Hightower’s work ethic, even when “you could tell there were days she was tired.” Last week, he said, she looked like “a kid trying to play with the flu.”

“She’s such a great kid, she’s got a good future ahead of her,” the coach said. “You don’t want to mess with that. I love the kid. She’s worked her butt off. And as a coach, you don’t know from day to day, unless they come and tell you, ‘Hey, I feel great,’ or, ‘Hey, I feel bad.’ Probably there were more days she didn’t feel great, and she came in, practiced, and didn’t say anything.”

Hightower said she is waiting on results to make any decision on possibly not going overseas.

For now, the Sun (16-16) play Friday at Chicago and Sunday at New York with no playoff berth on the line, but for a chance to continue to gain experience and gel. Hightower would love to be a part of that, but knows her health is her top priority.

“You want to be healthy,” she said. “You want to be able to do 100 percent, and to not do that is hard.”

Read the entire article by Matt Stout of the Norich Bulletin: http://bit.ly/c1YQhM

Allison_hightower1

Filed under  //  Alumni   WNBA  
Posted by Bob Starkey 

Coach Chancellor talks Hall of Fame, WNBA and Lady Tiger Basketball

Coach Chancellor takes time to talk to nationally syndicated talk show host David Seigel on his Swishin' & Dishin' to talk about Cynthia Cooper, the WNBA and Lady Tiger Basketball.  Click on this link to listin:  http://www.wstrradio.com/Dishn_Swish_Van_Chancellor.htm    

Posted by Bob Starkey 

Chancellor among many too help Cynthia Cooper to Hall of Fame Career

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Posted by Bob Starkey 

Merucry waste 23 point outburst by Meek

Temeka Johnson poured in 23 points with 10 of 16 shooting including 3 of 5 from behind the 3-point line but it wasn't enough as Indiana defeated Phoenix 110-90.  Despite losing their 3rd straight, the defending champions locked up a play-off bid due to Minnesota's loss.

Phoneix/Indiana Box: http://bit.ly/9TvLj2

Seimone Augustus had a rough shooting night hitting only 4 of 12 for 8 points and Minnesota fell on the road to Washington 61 to 58.  The loss keeps the Lynx tied for the last play off spot with the Los Angeles Sparks.

Minnesota/Washington Box: http://bit.ly/9C1QVx

Scholanda Robinson lead Tulsa with 14 points but the Shock still fell short to San Antonio losing 94-74.  Roneeka Hodges pitched in 10 points to help the Stars to the victory.

Tulsa/San Antonio Box: http://bit.ly/c7HT5g

Filed under  //  Alumni   Seimone Augustus   Temeka Johnson   WNBA  
Posted by Bob Starkey 

Syl & Mone lead team to important victories

Sylvia Fowles had 24 points and 14 rebounds and the Chicago Sky rallied to beat the Phoenix Mercury 91-82 on Tuesday night.  The Sky (13-17) remained 4 1/2 games behind Washington for the last Eastern Conference playoff berth.  Chicago, which trailed by as many as 11 in the third quarter, put together a 17-2 run in the fourth to beat the Mercury for the first time in nine tries.  Temeka Johnson had 7 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists for Phoenix.

Chicago/Phoenix Box: http://bit.ly/bh3ncr

Seimone Augustus scored 20 points and the Minnesota Lynx beat the San Antonio Silver Stars 73-66 on Tuesday night to improve their playoff positioning.  Rebekkah Brunson had 12 points, all in the first half, and 12 rebounds for Minnesota (11-17), which never could pull away but had an answer for every Silver Stars rally. The Lynx moved into third in the Western Conference, a half-game ahead of San Antonio (11-18).Augustus scored eight points in the fourth quarter as the Lynx evened the season series at two games apiece ahead of their final scheduled meeting Sunday in Minnesota. Roneeka  Hodges had 4 points and 3 rebounds for San Antonio.

Minnesota/San Antonio Box: http://bit.ly/ajrUl6

Marie Ferdinand-Harris had 11 points and 3 rebounds in losing effort as Los Angeles fell to Indiana 82-76.  Marie was 1-1 from behind the arc and a perfect 4-4 from the free throw  line.

Los Angeles/Indiana Box: http://bit.ly/9j0fmJ

Posted by Bob Starkey 

Chicago's Sylvia Fowles Receives WNBA Cares Community Assist Award for July

NEW YORK, Aug. 10, 2010 – The WNBA today honored Chicago Sky center Sylvia Fowles'  commitment to the community with its WNBA Cares Community Assist Award for July. Throughout the month, Fowles has played a leadership role in the team’s community outreach, including a recent partnership with Citizens United for Research in Epilepsy (CURE). She continues to be a positive role model for youngsters in Chicago and beyond.

Fowles’ personal experience with epilepsy— her young nephew, Morris, is fighting the disease— prompted her desire to get more involved with CURE, a nonprofit organization dedicated to finding a cure for epilepsy by raising funds for research and increasing public awareness. In June, the WNBA All-Star player reached out to the organization to see how she could help, an effort that resulted in the launch of a new partnership between the Sky and CURE. The Sky tipped off the partnership with a special ticket program for their home game against the New York Liberty on July 23 and donated a portion of the ticket sales to CURE. Following the game, Fowles hosted a special meet-and-greet to thank fans for their support and treated epilepsy sufferer Lauren Axelrod to a private tour of the Sky locker room, where she introduced her to teammates. 

“I am grateful that I am in a position to make a difference for those who struggle with epilepsy,” Fowles said. “I look forward to continuing to raise awareness and funding to find a cure for this devastating disease, and I encourage others to lend a helping hand.” 

To further lend her support, Fowles designed and purchased CURE-themed red silicon wristbands, which she wears during all games and has distributed to CURE members, teammates, family, and friends. Fowles plans to continue her efforts by filming a PSA with CURE and participating in a number of upcoming events hosted by the organization. 

The WNBA Cares Community Assist Award is presented monthly throughout the season to the player who best reflects the league’s passion for making a difference in the community. In recognition of Fowles’ charitable efforts, the WNBA is donating $5,000 to CURE on her behalf.

Filed under  //  Alumni   Community   Sylvia Fowles   WNBA  
Posted by Bob Starkey 

Marie on ESPN2 with a big night of Lady Tiger action in the WNBA

Connecticut (Allison Hightower) at Washington at 6 PM (NBA TV)

Preview: http://bit.ly/9G5bGS

Phoenix (Temeka Johnson) at Chicago (Sylvia Fowles) at 7 PM

Preview: http://bit.ly/bh3ncr

Minnesota (Seimone Augustus) at San Antonio (Roneeka Hodges) at 7 PM

Preview: http://bit.ly/ajrUl6

Indiana at Los Angeles (Marie Ferdinand-Harris) at 9 PM (ESPN2)

Filed under  //  Alumni   Seimone Augustus   Sylvia Fowles   Temeka Johnson   WNBA  
Posted by Bob Starkey 

Mone leads Lynx to comeback overtime win over Syl and Sky

CHICAGO (AP) Seimone  Augustus scored 27 points, including the tiebreaking 3-pointer with 26.9 seconds left in overtime to lead the Minnesota Lynx to an 87-82 victory over the Chicago Sky on Saturday. Lindsay Whalen had 19 points, seven assists and seven rebounds, Charde Houston added 17 points and Monica Wright added 11 to help the Lynx (9-16) rally from a 10-point deficit in the fourth quarter.  Jia Perkins led Chicago (12-16) with 16 points and Sylvia  Fowles had 14 points and 11 rebounds. Dominique Canty added 13 points and Tamera Young scored 10.   Augustus' jumper with 1 minute left in OT gave the Lynx an 80-79 lead. Fowles made 1 of 2 free throws to tie the score about 20 seconds later. After Augustus' go-ahead 3, Fowles made a layup to pull the Sky to 83-82 with 19.3 seconds to go. Whalen then made two free throws 3 seconds later to put Minnesota up by three again.

  

Minnesota/Chicago Box: http://bit.ly/b9VxF8

Filed under  //  Alumni   Seimone Augustus   Sylvia Fowles   WNBA  
Posted by Bob Starkey 

Mone vs. Syl on ESPN2 today at 2 CST

Today at 2:00 PM EST on ESPN2, Lady Tiger fans can watch two of LSU's great players collide when Seimone Augustus takes her Minnesota Lynx to Chicago to play Sylvia Fowles and the Sky.  It would be hard to find two players in the WNBA that are playing at a higher level than these two in recent weeks.

Minnesota/Chicago Preview via WNBA.com - http://bit.ly/b9VxF8

Filed under  //  Alumni   Seimone Augustus   Sylvia Fowles   WNBA  
Posted by Bob Starkey 

Meek and Marie stay red hot in WNBA

The Phoenix Mercury and Temeka Johnson stayed red-hot, defeating San Antonio last night 103-87.  The Mercury have not lost since the release of Meek's children's book ("Decisions, Decisions, Decisions") winning four straight. 

The point guard has been on a tear herself.  Against the Stars, Meek was 7 for 13 from the floor, 3 for 3 from the line for 17 points.

Phoenix/San Antonio Box: http://bit.ly/9jQ37r

Also on fire of late is Marie Ferdinand-Harris.  Marie blistered the nets for 7 of 10 made field goals last night to help Los Angeles defeat Tulsa. She his 1 of 2 from behind the arc and was a perfect 3 for 3 at the free throw line for 18 points.

Scholanda Robinson had 8 points, 3 boards and 3 assists for the Shock.

Los Angeles/Tulsa Box: http://bit.ly/abiEOk

Filed under  //  Alumni   Temeka Johnson   WNBA  
Posted by Bob Starkey