WNBA Washington Mystics

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Published on May 17, 2005 under Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Washington Mystics News Release


Mystics Notes

Street Festival: Prior to the game, the Mystics will host its annual street festival, which is free and open to the public. The street festival is schedule to begin at 4:00 p.m. and will be held on F Street (between 6th and 7th Streets NW) in front of the Main Entrance to MCI Center. The festival will feature numerous activities including interactive carnival games, face paintings, caricaturists, mimes, performances by the Mystics youth pep squad the Mayhem, baton twirlers, and dancers. From 4:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m. only, fans can register to win a pair of Alana Beard autographed shoes or a t-shirt signed by the entire 2005 Mystics squad.

Home Again: With the Mystics playing Charlotte in North Carolina, this is a return home for Charlotte Smith-Taylor. Charlotte signed as a free agent with Washington on April 13, 2005. Charlotte was drafted by the Charlotte Sting in the third round (33rd overall) in the 1999 Draft and spent six seasons with the Sting. Charlotte also spent her college days in North Carolina. She was a standout at the University of North Carolina and graduated in 1995.

Season Opener: The 2005 season opener against the Charlotte Sting marks the third consecutive year the Mystics have faced the Sting for its season opener. Last season Washington fell to the Charlotte Sting, 71-68 in its season opener and in 2003 in Charlotte, Washington won, 74-70. The two teams faced each other in 1998 for its season opener with Washington taking the victory, 83-57 and again in 1999 with Charlotte winning, 83-73

It's an NC thing: Five of the Mystics players played college basketball in the state of North Carolina. Alana Beard and Iciss Tillis played at Duke University. Charlotte Smith-Taylor played at Duke's arch-rival, the University of North Carolina. Smith-Taylor was on the 1994 squad that won the National Championship. She still holds the record for most rebounds in a Championship game with 23. Chasity Melvin and Kaayla Chones both played ball at North Carolina State.

Coach's Corner

Each Week Mystics Head Coach Richie Adubato will give his take on the Mystics upcoming opponents.

On Charlotte

"The key with Charlotte I would say, who's probably going to be one of the most improved team in the league, with Sheri Sam and Tangela Smith who are two veteran players that can score big. You put them with (Allison) Feaster and Dawn Staley inside and they are going to be a very good team. With (Tammy) Sutton-Brown and (Janel) McCarville inside, it gives them some big strong people inside, so our defense is going to have to be up to the challenge where we take away the jump shots of these excellent jump shooters".

On Connecticut

"They are the defending Eastern Conference Champions. The key is hopefully protecting our home court, understanding that they went to the finals last year and that they were one jump shot away from winning it all. It is going to take a great effort. We are going to have to play our best basketball to beat them."

Community News

Mystics Players Alana Beard, Kaayla Chones, Temeka Johnson, Chasity Melvin will take part in the WNBA Health and Fitness Day at Samuel Ogle Elementary School in Bowie, MD this Thursday, May 19th from 10:00 am-2:00 pm. The goal of the event is to promote physical activities and overall well-being.

Alaniacs

For the second year, Washington Mystics guard, Alana Beard will sponsor The Alaniacs. For every home game Beard has purchased enough tickets for 25 young girls' ages 12-16 to sit in a special section called The Alaniacs. All participating groups will receive t-shirts and will be featured on the Jumbotron during the game.

All groups that are interesting in participating in this program should send a letter to the Washington Mystics Community Relations Department explaining why their group deserves the tickets. All letters should be sent to:

The Alaniacs

601 F Street, NW

Washington, DC 20004

Ticket Information:

Individual tickets for the pre season game as well as the entire season are currently on sale and can be purchased by visiting MCI Center's Box Office, calling TicketMaster Phone Charge at (202)397-SEAT or by visiting the Mystics web site at www.washingtonmystics.com.

Check out the Washington Mystics Statistics

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Women's National Basketball Association Stories from May 17, 2005


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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