Five Siege Starters Named To 2006 NWBL All-Star Game
March 3, 2006 - National Women's Basketball League (NWBL)
San Diego Siege News Release
The San Diego Siege will be sending five players to the 2006 NWBL All-Star game, which will be played in Colorado on March 6 at 7p.m. Tera Bjorklund, Cathrine Kraayeveld, Tynesha Lewis, Jessica Cheeks, and Loree Moore have all made major contributions toward the Siege's success, and are being rewarded for their efforts.
Kraayeveld, a six-foot-four-inch power forward, plays for the New York Liberty along with teammate Moore and reigning NWBL MVP Becky Hammon. Kraayeveld has solidified herself as an MVP candidate this season with exceptional play over the past few games. She is second in the NWBL in scoring with 19.9 per game, second in rebounds with 8.3 per game, and she also posts the leagues best foul shooting percentage at 84.8 percent.
Bjorklund has WNBA experience but is currently not on any roster. That is sure to change, as Bjorklund has arguably been the most consistent player on the Siege, and could take home the hardware to prove it. She is third in the league in scoring with 19.0 per game, second in foul shooting only by 0.2 percentage points behind teammate Kraayeveld at 84.6 percent, and is also leading the NWBL in shooting percentage with a whopping 58.7 percent. What's even more impressive about Bjorklund's numbers are the fact that she is the main focus of every Siege opponent, and is constantly double and triple teamed. Though Kraayeveld puts up the bigger numbers, its possible Bjorklund is the more valuable player.
Or maybe it's Tynesha Lewis. Lewis is a 5-foot-10-inch shooting guard, who has the versatility to play every position on the floor other than center. Lewis is currently a member of the Minnesota Lynx, and after her 2006 NWBL campaign should earn some more minutes in the WNBA. Lewis is the oldest player on the team at 25, and uses her experience to set up her teammates first rather than look for her own shot. Lewis is currently fourth in the league in assists with 3.5 and also leads the team in that category. Lewis also can look to score herself; she is second in the league in field goal percentage shooting 56.9 percent. She is also leading the team in three-point field goal percentage, shooting at a remarkable 61 percent. Lewis is averaging 12.6 points and 4.3 rebounds per contest.
Jessica Cheeks is the only Siege starter without WNBA experience, but that hasn't intimidated her one bit. Cheeks is a 5-foot-9-inch combo guard, who can shoot the three as well as make the big pass. She is averaging 12.1 points 3.8 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game. Cheeks has made a name for herself on the defensive end, and currently is tied for the lead in steals per game on the Siege with Moore, averaging 2.0 swipes a game.
Loree Moore brings much more to the team then what can be measured in box score. The 5-foot-9-inch point guard was selected 10th overall by the New York Liberty in the 2005 WNBA Draft, where she backs up Becky Hammon. Moore has shown she can lead a successful team, and does so by running the offense and playing tenacious defense. Moore is currently averaging 8.9 points, 3.8 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game, as well as 2.0 steals. Moore can call her own number when the team needs it, and is shooting 54 percent from three on the season.
The Siege stars will be combining with players from the San Francisco Legacy; guards Toni Russell and Erica Glover, as well as forward Dana Jones. They will be going up against a team of San Jose Spiders and Colorado Chill. From the Spiders guard Caity Matter, forwards Lindsay Yamasaki and Britney Jackson, and center Cisti Greenwalt. From the Chill guards Jamie Carey and Katie Cronin, forwards Layla Schwarz and Erin Scholz. Becky Hammon was named to the team, but unable to play because of a USA basketball commitment, Ruth Riley was also named but won't be able to make it because of an injury. Center Adriane Williams was named as an injury replacement for the Olympian.
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National Women's Basketball League Stories from March 3, 2006
- Siege On The Road Again - San Diego Siege
- Five Siege Starters Named To 2006 NWBL All-Star Game - San Diego Siege
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