Detroit Shock Weekly Update

July 5, 2005 - Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Detroit Shock News Release


SWIN CASH RETURNS TO THE SHOCK LINEUP Detroit Shock Head Coach and Director of Player Personnel Bill Laimbeer announced that the team has activated two-time WNBA All-Star Swin Cash from the Injured List. The 6-1 forward has been inactive for the first 12 games of Detroit's season as she continued to rehabilitate her left ACL, which she injured in a Sept. 11, 2004 game vs. the Phoenix Mercury. Guard Stacey Thomas was placed on the Injured List with a right hip flexor strain.

Shock ACQUIRE FORWARD PLENETTE PIERSON On Thursday, June 30, Detroit announced the signing of forward Plenette Pierson. Pierson was traded to the Shock from the Phoenix Mercury in exchange for guard Andrea Stinson and Detroit's second-round draft pick in 2006. The Mercury then waived Stinson who resigned with the Shock over the weekend. In order to make room on the roster for Stinson, the Shock released forward Ayana Walker. This season is Pierson's third in the league, and she averaged 7.7 points with the Mercury before coming to the Shock.

SHOCK EVEN RECORD IN LOSS TO MONARCHS Newcomer Plenette Pierson shined in the Shock's 80-63 loss on Friday, July 1, in front of a season-high 10,923 fans at the Palace. Pierson led the team with 22 points in her debut with in Detroit. The Shock have lost five of their last six games and were once again faced with an early deficit, as Sacramento scored the first 10 points of the game. Detroit was also plagued by turnovers, finishing with 22. The game featured Kristin Haynie's return to her home state. Now a member of the Monarchs, Haynie hails from Mason, Michigan. She also played for the 2005 Big 10 Champion Michigan State Spartans. Haynie recorded six points in 25 minutes Friday night. Approximately 250 people made the trip from Mason to cheer Haynie on at the Palace.

<<...OLE_Obj...>> RilEY AND CASH NAMED TO ALL-STAR STARTING LINEUP Shock center Ruth Riley and forward Swin Cash were both named as All-Star starters for the Eastern Conference, while Deanna Nolan and Cheryl Ford were named as reserves. While this is Cash and Ford's second All-Star selection, Riley and Nolan will be making their first All-Star appearances. Riley and Cash appeared together last summer in the Olympic games, winning the gold medal for the United States. Before Friday's game, the pair received their Olympic rings. The All-Star game will take place Saturday, July 9, at 4:00 p.m., at Mohegan Sun Arena, home to the Connecticut Sun. The game will be televised nationally on ABC.

NOLAN VISITS READING CLINIC IN HOMETOWN On Tuesday, June 28, Shock guard Deanna Nolan returned to the elementary school that she attended as a child, Brownell Elementary in Flint. Nolan delivered a message of perseverance to 150 students who are part of STAR, the Flint School District's summer reading program. STAR stands for Summer Reading and Technology and is geared towards children who need individualized attention and help with reading. Nolan fielded questions from the students and staff and signed autographs for those in attendance.

LAST WEEK IN REVIEW:

DATE OPPONENT LOCATION/TIME FINAL SCORE LEADING SCORER

Friday, July 1 Sacramento Monarchs The Palace, 7:30 L 63-80 Pierson, 22



Women's National Basketball Association Stories from July 5, 2005


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