WNBA Washington Mystics

Mystics Notes

May 17, 2004 - Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Washington Mystics News Release


Opening Day: The Mystics are 3-3 in opening season games. The team is 2-1 in home openers. This is the second time the Mystics and Sting will face each other in an opening season game. The two teams opened the season last year in Charlotte with the Mystics defeating the Sting, 74-70.

Catching up with the Rookies: First round draft pick (2nd overall) Alana Beard is currently averaging 18.0 ppg. Against the Charlotte Sting on May 14, Beard led all scorers with 19 points. She also added four rebounds, two assists, three steals and one block. Beard currently leads all-rookies in points per game, assists per game (4.0) and minutes per game (31.0). Second round draft pick (15th overall) Kaayla Chones started both preseason games for the Mystics. Chones played 12 minutes and had one rebound and two points. Third round draft pick (28th overall) Evan Unrau played four minutes against the Sting.

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, scheduled to begin at 3:00 p.m. and conclude at 5:30 p.m., 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, music provided by HOT 99.5, performances by the Mystics youth pep squad the Mayhem and Shaw Junior High School's pep band. Fans should get there by 3:30 p.m. to participate in a pep rally featuring the Mystics team.

Around the Dial

Mystics Rookie Alana Beard will be featured in a behind-the-scene documentary on ESPN2, "Rookie Diaries", premiering this Wednesday, May 19 at 4:30 p.m.

Ticket Information:

Individual tickets for 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.

Community Corner

· On Wednesday, May 19th, Washington Mystics players Chamique Holdsclaw, Tamicha Jackson, Murriel Page, Aiysha Smith, Assistant Coach Stephanie Ready along with author Yasmin Shiraz will kick off the 2004 Mind, Body, Spirit Tour with a clinic at Kennedy Center Recreation. They will discuss the importance of positive health, good nutrition and exercise. The event will take place from 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m.

· Washington's Alana Beard will help with the "Play Your Way/Sports Gear Drive" at ESPN Zone in Baltimore, Maryland on Wednesday, May 19th from 5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. Beard will speak on the importance of exercise for children. The gear collected from this drive will assist in keeping kids physically active.

· On Thursday, May 20th, Mystics players Alana Beard, Kaayla Chones, Chasity Melvin and Murriel Page will take part in the Court dedication at the Rosedale Recreation Center from 3:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.

Check out the Washington Mystics Statistics



Women's National Basketball Association Stories from May 17, 2004


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