Connecticut Sun weekly update
June 22, 2004 - Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Connecticut Sun News Release
Game Previews
Tuesday, June 22 @ Indiana
The Sun travel to Indiana today to take on the second place Indian Fever (6-4) at Conseco Fieldhouse at 8 PM EST. Both teams come into this game fresh off a win, with Indiana winning their past two games, both at home, to Sacramento and New York; while Connecticut is coming off their win over Washington on Sunday 75-65. The last time the Sun was in Indiana was for the regular-season finale, which Connecticut won and clinched a playoff berth.
Friday, June 25 vs. Detroit
The defending WNBA champions return to Uncasville for the second time this season after sneaking out of Connecticut with a win on June 6th. This game starts a weekend home and away series between the two teams who fought it out for the Eastern Conference Championship last season. Since their last meeting Detroit has won five straight games to overcome their slow start to find themselves leading the Eastern Conference with a 6-3 record. Connecticut has been on the losing side of some tough games, including the last time against Detroit, but this game could prove pivotal as Connecticut is looks to put a string of wins together.
Sunday, June 27 @ Detroit
Connecticut travels to finish a rare home and away series against Detroit on Sunday. It is the only time this year that the Sun will play a home and away with the same team in a weekend. This game will mark the third time in the month of June that these teams will play each other. Connecticut will be fighting to break their seven game losing streak against the Shock, which starts from the time they moved to Connecticut.
Sales Nominated For Player of the Week
Every week the WNBA votes on Player of the Week honors and Nykesha Sales was the candidate for the award for her efforts in the three Sun games last week. Nykesha averaged 37 minutes, 18 points, 4.3 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals in games against Los Angeles, Charlotte and Washington. While the team went only 1-2, losing both games in overtime, Nykesha led the Sun in all three games. Sales currently ranks 9th in the league in scoring (15.3) and is tied for 1st in the league in total steals with 26.
Who Is This Kid?
Many people around the league are muttering the same sentence that is written above about Jen Derevjanik. A virtual unknown coming out of George Mason, she has thrust herself into a key contributor for the Sun in their last five games. While starting point guard Lindsay Whalen was out sick with strep throat, Jen played major minutes and stood out against some of the league's better guards. In her first three games playing major minutes, she was stuck with the task of trying to defend All-Stars Sue Bird, Nikki Teasley and (her idol) Ticha Penicheiro. Previous to these three games, Jen had played only 6 minutes and scored 0 points. Against these stars she garnered 70 minutes and scored 15 points. Jen is #2 on the depth chart at point guard beating out veteran Debbie Black for the first name Coach Thibault calls off the bench.
United Way Day of Caring
Last week the Sun players, Jen Derevjanik, Candace Futrell and Le'Coe Willingham participated in United Way's Day of Caring with the B.P. Learned Mission in New London, CT. The Sun players spent a little one on one time with the kids, read stories and decorated bookmarks. In addition, the Sun donated 150 scholastic books to the Mission.
B.P. Learned Mission is a Child & Family Agency of Southeastern Connecticut. The mission of Child and Family Agency of Southeastern Connecticut is to promote the well-being and development of all children and their families, in particular to give priority to the unmet needs of children lacking physical emotional and intellectual care and nurturing. Programs deal with the prevention of child abuse, the treatment of family violence, teen pregnancy, children's health care, childcare, parent education and children's mental health care. For more information on the Child & Family Agency visit www.cfapress.org or call 860.443.2896.
Women's National Basketball Association Stories from June 22, 2004
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