StevenHW
Starter
In another thread, KingsGurl87 wrote:
From:
http://home.hamptonroads.com/stories/story.cfm?story=92534&ran=68997
This time, Ticha didn’t let crown slip away from Monarchs’ grasp
By VICKI L. FRIEDMAN, [font=ms sans serif,arial,helvetica,sans-serif][size=-2]The Virginian-Pilot
© September 22, 2005
Last updated: 11:31 PM
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It’s been eight years since Old Dominion lost to Tennessee in the NCAA Women’s Final, but Ticha Penicheiro remembers that feeling.
"It still hurts to this day," said the former Lady Monarchs point guard, who now wears No. 21 for the WNBA’s Sacramento Monarchs. "If you’re in a championship game, you want to finish #1 because it might never happen again. Nobody wants to be #2."
Penicheiro and her Sacramento Monarchs are indeed #1, champions of the WNBA. One of the league’s original franchises, Sacramento won its first league title on Tuesday night with a 62-59 victory over the Connecticut Sun in Game 4 of the WNBA Finals. The Monarchs had lost in the Western Conference final in three of the previous four seasons.
"We finally did it," said Penicheiro, who has been a Monarch since being selected second overall in the 1998 WNBA draft. The league’s all-time leader in assists, she finished with five points including a key free throw in the final 10 seconds.
Her teammate Hamche-tou Maiga — who starred at ODU from 1998-200 2, immediately after Penicheiro — added, "We weren’t able to do it as Lady Monarchs. But we were able to do it as Monarchs."
Penicheiro said she felt good about Sacramento’s chances all season despite several obstacles, including injuries to Yolanda Griffith, Kara Lawson and to herself. The two-time All-American was hampered by a sprained ankle that sidelined her during the Monarchs’ playoff series with Houston, but one of their strengths this season has been tremendous depth. Penicheiro shared point guard duties with Lawson, a former Tennessee star.
Coach John Whisenant’s focus on defense leaves little creativity for offense , but Penicheiro is still magical to watch. She tossed in an occasional no-look pass during this series, but her best play might have been when, after a steal in traffic on the defensive end, she dribbled the ball through the opposing player’s legs and maintained the dribble on the other side.
"Somebody’s hurt and we have somebody else step up," Penicheiro said. "Everybody knows their role on this team and has all year. I’ve always said 'Dream big.’ And we did."
She and Maiga were able to share joy with ODU coach Wendy Larry, who was in Arco Arena with 15,000 other fans on Tuesday. Penicheiro said she also received a message from Mery Andrade and an e-mail from Lucienne Berthieu, both former Lady Monarchs and former WNBA players.
Thinking back to the 1997 Final Four in Cincinnati, Penicheiro said the WNBA title was different because it came on her team’s home floor. "All the people were for us," she said. "There was a true home-court advantage."
A free agent after this season, Penicheiro said she plans to continue playing basketball as long as she remains healthy. After a quick trip to her native Portugal, Penicheiro, who has spent the last few seasons in Poland, Italy and France, leaves to begin play in Russia on Oct. 15th.
Maiga will head to France.
Penicheiro, 31, said she has experienced championships with her overseas teams before, but nothing compares with the experience of Tuesday night, especially winning at home, where the Monarchs finished 18-2 this year. They are the city’s first basketball champions.
"The level of play in this league makes it the greatest competition in the world," Penicheiro said. "This tops it all. This is definitely the highlight of my career."
Reach Vicki L. Friedman at (757) 446-2039 or at VickiL120@cox.net
* * * * * * * *
Congratulations, Ticha and Tanty [Maiga]!! Looks like you've done ODU proud!
Also, the ODU's women's b-ball page is filled with Sacramento Monarchs articles.
(click below):
http://odusports.collegesports.com/sports/w-baskbl/oldd-w-baskbl-body.html
And, finally, here's a list of ODU women who have played or coached in professional leagues:
http://odusports.collegesports.com/sports/w-baskbl/spec-rel/oldd-recruiting-pros.html
I didn't know Maura McHugh (ex-coach of the Sacramento Monarchs) went to ODU!
From:
http://home.hamptonroads.com/stories/story.cfm?story=92534&ran=68997
This time, Ticha didn’t let crown slip away from Monarchs’ grasp
By VICKI L. FRIEDMAN, [font=ms sans serif,arial,helvetica,sans-serif][size=-2]The Virginian-Pilot
© September 22, 2005
Last updated: 11:31 PM
[/size][/font]
It’s been eight years since Old Dominion lost to Tennessee in the NCAA Women’s Final, but Ticha Penicheiro remembers that feeling.
"It still hurts to this day," said the former Lady Monarchs point guard, who now wears No. 21 for the WNBA’s Sacramento Monarchs. "If you’re in a championship game, you want to finish #1 because it might never happen again. Nobody wants to be #2."
Penicheiro and her Sacramento Monarchs are indeed #1, champions of the WNBA. One of the league’s original franchises, Sacramento won its first league title on Tuesday night with a 62-59 victory over the Connecticut Sun in Game 4 of the WNBA Finals. The Monarchs had lost in the Western Conference final in three of the previous four seasons.
"We finally did it," said Penicheiro, who has been a Monarch since being selected second overall in the 1998 WNBA draft. The league’s all-time leader in assists, she finished with five points including a key free throw in the final 10 seconds.
Her teammate Hamche-tou Maiga — who starred at ODU from 1998-200 2, immediately after Penicheiro — added, "We weren’t able to do it as Lady Monarchs. But we were able to do it as Monarchs."
Penicheiro said she felt good about Sacramento’s chances all season despite several obstacles, including injuries to Yolanda Griffith, Kara Lawson and to herself. The two-time All-American was hampered by a sprained ankle that sidelined her during the Monarchs’ playoff series with Houston, but one of their strengths this season has been tremendous depth. Penicheiro shared point guard duties with Lawson, a former Tennessee star.
Coach John Whisenant’s focus on defense leaves little creativity for offense , but Penicheiro is still magical to watch. She tossed in an occasional no-look pass during this series, but her best play might have been when, after a steal in traffic on the defensive end, she dribbled the ball through the opposing player’s legs and maintained the dribble on the other side.
"Somebody’s hurt and we have somebody else step up," Penicheiro said. "Everybody knows their role on this team and has all year. I’ve always said 'Dream big.’ And we did."
She and Maiga were able to share joy with ODU coach Wendy Larry, who was in Arco Arena with 15,000 other fans on Tuesday. Penicheiro said she also received a message from Mery Andrade and an e-mail from Lucienne Berthieu, both former Lady Monarchs and former WNBA players.
Thinking back to the 1997 Final Four in Cincinnati, Penicheiro said the WNBA title was different because it came on her team’s home floor. "All the people were for us," she said. "There was a true home-court advantage."
A free agent after this season, Penicheiro said she plans to continue playing basketball as long as she remains healthy. After a quick trip to her native Portugal, Penicheiro, who has spent the last few seasons in Poland, Italy and France, leaves to begin play in Russia on Oct. 15th.
Maiga will head to France.
Penicheiro, 31, said she has experienced championships with her overseas teams before, but nothing compares with the experience of Tuesday night, especially winning at home, where the Monarchs finished 18-2 this year. They are the city’s first basketball champions.
"The level of play in this league makes it the greatest competition in the world," Penicheiro said. "This tops it all. This is definitely the highlight of my career."
Reach Vicki L. Friedman at (757) 446-2039 or at VickiL120@cox.net
* * * * * * * *
Congratulations, Ticha and Tanty [Maiga]!! Looks like you've done ODU proud!
Also, the ODU's women's b-ball page is filled with Sacramento Monarchs articles.
(click below):
http://odusports.collegesports.com/sports/w-baskbl/oldd-w-baskbl-body.html
And, finally, here's a list of ODU women who have played or coached in professional leagues:
http://odusports.collegesports.com/sports/w-baskbl/spec-rel/oldd-recruiting-pros.html
I didn't know Maura McHugh (ex-coach of the Sacramento Monarchs) went to ODU!
