Silver Stars Weekly Update

August 15, 2005 - Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
San Antonio Stars News Release


THIS WEEK'S GAMES:

Thursday, August 18 @ Sacramento Monarchs @ ARCO Arena 9:00 p.m. KSJL 810AM / WB 35

This will mark the final contest between San Antonio and Sacramento this season. The Monarchs took the first three games played this season. Overall, San Antonio trails Sacramento in the all-time series 13-18. Friday, August 19 @ Phoenix Mercury @ America West Arena

9:00 p.m. KSJL 810 AM / WB 35

This will mark the fourth and final meeting between the Silver Stars and Mercury this season. Phoenix has been victoriuos in all three of the previous contests this season. In the all-times series San Antonio trails Phoenix 13-19.

COACH'S CORNER:

Silver Stars' Head Coach Dan Hughes' thoughts on last week's play and this week's opponents:

On last week's play-

"When I review the past week I think it really exposes where we are at. You have to really like where our defensive evolution has gone. We have been holding our opponent's in the 60's and 50's, but at the same time offensively we have not become efficient enough to win the close games. You can look at it in two ways, either from a point of frustration or how I choose, like what happens if we do one more thing well? What happens if we execute offensively a little better and gain back two possessions? It would make such a difference because all the recent games have come down to key possessions late. I think if we can continue to evolve in those areas, then I think you will see the final stage we need to reach to be a good basketball team. Defensively we are putting ourselves right where we need to be and if we could continue to evolve in our perimeter play and balance with our post play offensively, that would be a big key."

On the Sacramento Monarchs-

"Sacramento has been the most consistent team from start to finish and they have proven themselves to be the best defensive team in the league. Their mobility, especially on the front line is what challenges you so much. Yolanda Griffith, DeMya Walker and others off the bench continue to have a great ability to defend in an over play situation. At the same time offensively I think Powell has become a real effective score for them, I think they are good on the glass and I also think they are a good transition team. They attack you in a very assertive way, but at the same time I think they pride themselves on their ability to stop you. We have played them three times and have had three good games against them so we are hopeful that in our situation we can evolve one more notch."

On the Phoenix Mercury-

"Phoenix to me is a team that has added so many players during the course of the season and may be, what I think, the best individual offensive team that we play. They score at so many positions. When you talk about Diana Taurasi, Penny Taylor and Anna DeForge you are talking about three good one-on-one players that can shoot with good transition which forces a lot of pressure on you. Kamila Vodichkova and Maria Stepanova have really given them veteran leadership at the post. Their team has changed dramatically and this is as talented of an offensive team we will see especially from a perimeter standpoint."

SILVER STARS IN THE COMMUNITY

This Tuesday, Silver Stars players Shannon "Pee Wee" Johnson and LaToya Thomas will be partnering up with the San Antonio Food Bank, ConAgra Foods Feeding Better Foundation and America's Second Harvest - The Nation's Food Bank Network, to open San Antonio's newest ConAgra Kids Cafe at the Wesley Community Center.

The SIlver Stars players will talk to the children about the importance of nutrition and maintaining a helathy diet. Johnson and Thomas will also present a team autographed ball to the Wesley Community Center in appreciation of all their efforts to help San Antonio youth.



Women's National Basketball Association Stories from August 15, 2005


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