Spirit\'s Clinesmith Leads American NWBL All-Stars To Victory 83-75
February 16, 2004 - National Women's Basketball League (NWBL)
Springfield Spirit News Release
West Springfield, February 16, 2004 â Stacy Clinesmith was named the MVP in the first NWBL All-Star game on Sunday in Fort Collins Colorado, the home of the Colorado Chill. The 5'4" point guard for the Springfield Spirit delighted the 2300 fans with her defense, quickness and her ability to score at will. She scored 15 points to lead all scores and was 4-5 from behind the arc and had 3 assists in 21 minutes of action. After scoring 42 points in the last two games against Houston and Chicago, Clinesmith was quoted after the game " I love to play in these kind of events and in the last 72 hours I have truly enjoyed the way I have been able to shoot and distribute the ball. I can't wait to get back to Springfield so we can put everything together and finally make a run at these other teams. We have lost some close ones and with our team finally together we will now make our move".
Other notable players for the American All-Stars were Felicia Ragland (Birmingham Power) with 14 points and Anna DeForge (Dallas Fury) added 10 points. The American All-Stars held a 49-30 half-time lead as they shot 45% from the field while holding the National All-Stars to a dismal 28%. The closest the National All-Stars got was within 4 points late in the game but turned the ball over at key times down the stretch. The American All-Stars made 87% of their free throws in the second half to fend off the final run attempted by the National All-Stars. The National All-Stars had 5 players in double figures and were led by Houston's Tamicha Jackson with 14 points on 6-17 shooting.
Coach Verdi was at the game and was quoted "I am very pleased with what I saw tonight. Stacy is one of the best point guards in the league and proved it with her play tonight. I can wait to get back to work on Wednesday with my entire team". The Spirit are will get back Rasheeda Clark and Tootie Shaw on Wednesday morning and will join her teammates and host a youth basketball clinic that same day at 12 noon at the Basketball Hall of Fame, Springfield, MA on Center Court. The clinic is open to all youth. Call the Hall of Fame main number at 413-781-6500 for details. Many of the Spirit players will be on hand to give instructional advice, sign autographs and hand out free youth tickets to all the participants.
The Springfield Spirit has two home games this week on Thursday at CCSU at 7pm vs. the Dallas Fury and again on Sunday at Cathedral High School in Springfield at 3pm vs. the Colorado Chill. This Sunday is Girl Scout Day for further information contact the Spirit office at 413-746-2255 or on line at www.nwbl.com and click the Spirit logo.
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National Women's Basketball League Stories from February 16, 2004
- Spirit's Clinesmith Leads American NWBL All-Stars To Victory 83-75 - Springfield Spirit
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