The Road To New York Is Costly For The Sparks



Story by L.T.Willis




Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images.

 

The  Sparks' road trip took another wrong turn after losing to the San Antonio Silver Stars in San Antonio Texas lost to the New York Liberty 77-67 and making things worst Candace Parker went down with a knee injury with 5:56 left in the third quarter. Before Candace went down she was going to work as usual scoring 16 points and 11 rebounds. Tina Thompson was really trying her best to hold the fort down, but only scored 14 points.

Natasha Lacy have shown signs when she gets playing time she makes the best of it scored 9 points, 3 rebounds 2 assist playing only 13:16. How ever once again the Sparks would get a big lead then let teams right back in the game as the second quarter proved to be the difference in the game as they were out scored 24-12.



Photo by Nathaniel S.Butler/NBAE via Getty Images.



The New York Liberty's Cappie Pondexter led all scorers with 22 points, 7 rebs and 5 assist, Essence Carson finish with 18 points and Plenette Pierson scored 14 points and 6 rebs. DeLisha Milton- Jones  who scored only 6 points and Noell Quinn scored only 2 points will have to score more points that that for the Sparks to win more games. With Candace being down Ebony Hoffman, Jantel Lavender, Kristi Toliver, and the rest of the bench will get there chance to see what they can really do on this road trip and help hold down the fort till Candace comes back. On Monday she will have a MRI on her right knee and our prayers go out to  Candace's family and her that she will be back soon playing basketball on the court.

Mexico Rallies to Beat USA In Gold Cup 4-2

 Story by L.T.Willis



Photo by Nick Koza.





Over 93,000 soccer fans saw The Mexico Soccer Team rally to beat the USA soccer team 4-2 in the Gold Cup Championship Game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. Mexico trailed the USA early when USA's Michael Bradley and Landon Donovan both scored one goal a piece and lead 2-0. Mexico came back and tied the game when Mexico's Pablo Barrera scored to make it 2-1 USA. Minutes later Andres Guardado scored and tied the game 2-2 at the end of the first half.



Pablo Barrera scored 2 goals for Mexico in the Goal Cup
Photo by Nick Koza.



 In the second half Mexico's Barrera scored again and gave Mexico it's first lead of the game 3-2 and the fans of Mexico went wild. The USA team had the momentum and let it slip away from them, while the Mexico fans had found new life at the Gold Cup. Fans from both sides never step cheering  for their teams and the USA fans was hoping their team could make a come back.

Mexico's # 14 Javier Hernandez
Photo by Nick Koza.



USA's #9 Juan Argudelo and #8 Clint
Dempsey.Photo by Nick Koza



 

There was no rally for the USA Soccer Team as Mexico's Giovani with 13 minutes left in The Gold Cup scored the final goal and Mexico's soccer team defeated The USA soccer team 4-2. This is Mexico's 6 Gold Cup Championship Title and this qualify them to play in the 2013 Confederation Cup. Mexico showed why they will continue to be the team to beat in soccer and the reason why they are champions.




2011 Gold Cup Champions Mexico
Photo by Nick Koza.



Texas Is Not Good To Another Los Angeles Team

Story by L.T.Willis



Sparks'#3 Candace Parker turns the corner on San Antonio's #00 Ruth Riley.
Photo by D.Clarke Evans/NBAE via Getty Images.



Texas wasn't good to for the Lakers in the playoffs and now the Los Angeles Sparks have been snake bitten in San Antonio Texas. Losing to the Silver Stars 90-80 in overtime and the way they lost was a hard pill to swallow. Candace Parker still continues putting up all star numbers finish the game with 25 points and 3 rebs  and DeLisha Milton-Jones who finish with 15 points and 6 rebs. I really felt the Sparks were figuring out on defense how not to give up big leads in games, then give up a 12 point lead during the game. The Sparks' defense couldn't figure out how to stop the Silver Stars' guard Jia Perkins who ripped them for 31 points and 8 rebs. Another thorn in the Sparks' defense was also Becky Hammon who finish with 22points, 9 asst and 3 rebs tied the game with 33.4 seconds left  in the fourth quarter to send the game into overtime.



Photo by  D.Clarke Evans/NBAE via Getty Images.



You have to credit the Silver Stars' defense that cause the Sparks to have 17 turnovers and with 1:46 left in regulations held them scoreless to force overtime. What really made things even worst the Sparks' offense could only score 2 points in over time while giving up 12 points in the extra period. The defensive  lapse and lack of intensity is all mental . I have notice so far this season when Natasha Lacy is in the game at point guard the Sparks' defensive and out put goes up to another level because of her speed and ability to attack the rim and push the ball up court, as well as a defender who can guard the younger and quicker guards in  the league. When shes on the floor with Candace Parker, Kristi Toliver, Ebony Hoffman, Tina Thompson and Jantel Lavender they are more aggressive on offense. Coach Gillom and her coaching staff must figure to get Jantel Lavender more time on the floor with her ability to run up and down the court she puts a lot off pressure on the other teams centers to keep up with her. Both Natasha Lacy and Jantel Lavender have been productive when giving playing time and the stats don't lie. Today the Sparks play the New York Liberty in a Sunday game at 1pm and i hope they brought their mental game with them.

The Sparks' Bench Steps Up Big Against Seattle And New York

Story by L.T.Willis

                  
                                                 





Kristi Toliver Photo by Eric Wade
Gems Images.

  







 The Los Angeles Sparks are now 4-1 after their last two home game victories against The Seattle Storm 74-50 on Fathers' Day and last night against the New York Liberty 96-91 in a hard fought game. The main reason they have a 4-1 record is because of the strong bench play of Ebony Hoffman 12 points and 4 rebs, Kristi Toliver 11 points 5 rebs and Jantel Lavender 10 points 2 rebs. With Ebony and Jantel on the floor at the same time both of these players run up and down the court very well and have the ability to take players off the dribble with their size and quickness. Having both of them on the floor allows Tina Thompson, DeLisha Milton-Jones and Candace Parker more time to rest on the bench.



Ebony Hoffman Photo by Eric Wade
Gems Images.

                                                 

Jantel Lavender Photo by Eric Wade
Gems Images.



                                                                                    





The Sparks were celebrating being in the league for 15 season treated the fans to a heck of a basketball game by defeating the New York Liberty 96-91 at The Staple Center. Delisha Milton-Jones came to play as she rip the Liberty defense for 27 points and 6 rebs who was in a shooting zone. Candace Parker scored 21 points and had a big night on the board with 13 rebs, Tina Thompson 14 points and Kristi Toliver coming off the bench playing almost 30 minutes had 16 points and some big plays late in the fourth quarter. Another key player coming off the bench Jeena O'Hea scored 8 points but played great defense as she held in check Liberty's Leilani Mitchell who had 9 points for the game.




Rebeca Lobo and Lisa Leslie Photo by
Eric Wade Gems Images.



At the celebration two former superstars got together and shared some memories about their careers in the WNBA Lisa Leslie and Rebeca Lobo who both played for their original teams the Los Angeles Sparks and the New York Liberty. Both players pave a path on how to be great players in this league by leading by example with hard work and showing class in victory and in defeat. For more on both games see Nick Hamilton's Sports articles in this Friday paper on line at http://www.calcrusnews.com/ .

2011 LA Watts Summer Games Review



Story By L.T. Willis



Jerry West and the Mayfair Girls Basketball Team
Photo by L.T.Willis/ T.G.Sports

On Sunday June 12,2011 at Southwest College during the 2011 L.A. Watts Summer Games many fans and players had a chance to meet the one and only Jerry West. Still being part of the community and taken time out to come down and spend time with all who had a chance to talk with him and take photos of the man who is the NBA Logo. What surprise me was how many young players was aware of Jerry West was. Players and fans wasn't camera shy as the Mayfair Girls Basketball Team and the Fairfax Girls Basketball Team  were really hamming it up during their photo shoot. Camera or cell phones were taking pictures all during the time he was there. Jerry West also spoke on how important the the L.A.Watts Summer Games are to the community and recognize all those who had put in hard work to make the games a great event.

Fairfax Girls Basketball Team having fun with Jerry West. Photo by
T.G.Sports' L.T.Willis/T.G.Sports



It didn't matter who you were if you wanted to take a picture with Jerry or a autograph it wasn't a problem for him. Even Leon Burk Jr. one of the Lead Site Official responsible for getting officials and supervise 3 person  crews  for up coming officials had a chance to take a picture with the great one. This year summer games promise to be one of the best as many people really work hard to make sure that this would happen. The final weekend of the L.A. Watts Summer games will be Saturday June 18, 2011 so if you get a chance come on out and have a great time.



 Jerry West and Leon Burk Jr.
Photo by L.T.Willis/T.G.Sports

Candace Parker and Maya Moore Preview of Things To Come

Story by L.T.Willis

                                        

                                                            










Maya Moore Photo by Eric Wade
EW/Gems Images.

Maya Moore photo by Eric Wade
EW/Gems Images.

  

                   





Candace Parker and Maya Moore gave us a sneak preview of things to come between the both of them. One who is already a superstar in the WNBA and the other making reservation to join the list. With all the buzz about the showdown live up to the hype. Maya came to Los Angeles and has put every team in the WNBA on notice that she is no joke. With here size and speed she is very smooth with her moves to the basket, just when you think you have her she blows right by you. She has also shown she can take you off the dribble and pull up and hit the 3 point shot with best of them. Candace and Maya who leads their teams in scoring have the same type of weapons they can use against you.They both are great post up players with their size and have the ability to blow by by you if you get up close on them. It's just a matter of time before you hear Maya scored 20,30 or even 40 points during a game. Until that  day comes she will have to take notes from Candace Parker the ruling queen of the WNBA.



 Candace Parker photo by Eric Wade
EW/Gems Images.



 Candace Parker photo by Eric Wade
EW/Gems Images.



This will become one of the premiere match ups in the WNBA because both players bring so  much excitement to the game you will never what is going to happen. Minnesota may have gotten the number one pick in the draft, But what the WNBA have now is  another player that will keep the flames buring in this league. Candace and Maya are very special and brings a certain swagger to their teams and it gives the fans a chance to see the WNBA version of Michael Jordan vs. Kobe Bryant. Now let the race begin on who will have a ring first Candace Parker or Maya Moore. Just looking at both them play i have a feeling they will keep tabs on each other during the season. You can check out Maya Moore's first WNBA post game interview with T.G. Sports' Nick Hamilton.
                                                            



 



                                                                             

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             

Sparks' 15th Season Home Opener Gave Fans Plenty To Cheer About

Story by L.T.Willis



The Los Angeles Sparks hosted The Minnesota Lynx in their
WNBA 15th  Season Home Opener at The Staple Center.
Photo by Lawrence Enge.

 The Los Angeles Sparks open their season at home against the Minnesota Lynx and Maya Moore at The Staple Center and 13,589 fans had much to cheer about. Candace Parker one of the superstars had a chance to see first hand how good Maya Moore really is. Folks forget about her being a rookie Her first shot of the game was a 3 pointer to get things going for the Lynx. Candace Parker showed why she is one of the great ones  as it seem she could score at will as both teams where going up and down the court at will trying to establish a running game. It was like being in a playoff game as the crowd was really into it. Before you knew it Candace Parker had 18 points and Maya Moore had 5 points and at the end of the first quarter the Sparks and the Lynx were tied 18-18.

Minnesota Maya Moore first shot of the regular season hits a 3 pointer.
Photo by Lawrence Enge.

The Sparks' Candace Parker had 18 points in the first quarter against the
Minnesota Lynx. Photo by Lawrence Enge.





One of the things that was hurting the Sparks was Tina Thompson had pick up 3 quick fouls before she had to sit down score 4 points in the first quarter. In the second quarter the Lynx began to out rebound the Sparks and pick up the pace as Rebekkah Brunson and Taj McWilliams both score 6 points and the Minnesota led at halftime 43-37. If not for Kristi Toliver 3 pointer, Tina Thompson 7points and Candace Parker 5 points in the second quarter  the Lynx could have had a much bigger lead. During the pre season the Sparks would have big leads then allow teams to get right back in the game and had to depend on their bench to get the Sparks back in the game.

Sparks' Ebony Hoffman helps lead the comeback against Minnesota
Photo by Lawrence Enge.



Coach Gillom trailing by 9 points had to turn to her bench Ebony Hoffman, Kristi Toliver and Jenna O'Hea and they trigger the come comeback. Kristi Toliver and Ebony Hoffman both scored 6 points and Jenna O' Hea hit a big 3 point shot and now at the end of the third quarter the Sparks lead 59-57. In the fourth quarter Jenna O'Hea started out hitting another 3 pointer and had the fans Shouting and cheering " Go Sparks". Whatever coach Gillom said at half time the players must have been listening because what the Lynx did to the Sparks in the first half the Sparks start doing to them in the second half out rebounding the Lynx and started to pull away from them a Kristi Toliver7 foot bank shot and another 3 pointer from Jenna O'Hea the Sparks led 67-61 with 7:56 left in the fourth quarter.

Sparks' Kristi Toliver  outside shooting and defense was huge against
Minnesota. Photo by Lawrence Enge





Seimone Augustus hit a big 3 point shot to cut the lead to 67-63 and was doing all she could to help keep the Lynx within striking distance. The Sparks wasn't out of the wood just yet as the Lynx cut the lead to 2 points 75-73, but DeLisha Milton-Jones got foul on her made basket and  Tina Thompson and Candace Parker got foul and made their free throws and the Sparks held on to defeat the Lynx 82-74. Maya Moore led all scorers with 21points and Candace Parker finish with 19 points, Tina Thompson 15 points, Noelle Quinn and Kristi Toliver both had 11 points and Jenna O'Hea had 9 points. Also tonight WNBA's Commissioner Laura Ritchie was at the game to share here comments about the 15th season of the WNBA during halftime and Sparks' President Mike Levy shares his view about the season home opener victory against the Minnesota Lynx.