T.G. Sports: Season Final Reflection of the Sparks' Season

Story by L.T.Willis

Sparks' 2011 WNBA Draft Party @ the ESPN Zone photos
by Eric Wade /EW GEM Images.

Sparks drafted 4 Time Big Ten Player of the Year
Jantel Lavender from Ohio State.

This is my reflections of the Los Angeles Sparks' season that had some great memories for me and i would like to share them with you. It started at the 2011 WNBA Draft Party at the ESPN Zone where Sparks' fans came out in full force to show their love and their support for their team. The excitement of the night was that Sparks' had just drafted Jantel Lavender from Ohio State 4 Time Big Ten Player of The Year. As i spoke to hear on the phone i can remember the excitement in hear voice how she felt that she will be playing with Tina Thompson, Candace Parker and here new team mates on the Sparks.

Joe "Jellybean" Bryant

The other excitement was that Joe Bryant was back with us for a second time and you could tell that this would be a very interesting season as it unfold for us. Now media day for the Sparks is where we take off on on this journey and nobody was more important to us then Ben Alkaly and Patrick Hayes who made media day for the Sparks a joy to be part of. Media day is where the real fun began as we get a chance to really talk with players one on one about the up coming season in the WNBA.

Ben Alkaly

Patrick Hayes

Let's start with one of the most kindest person you will ever meet off court Ebony Hoffman ,but when she is on the floor she is a monster to handle because of her range to shoot 3 pointers as well as taking defenders of the dribble. This was Ebony first season with the Sparks and proved to be valuable during the season. Another player who was on the team for the first time was Jenna O'Hea who was always smiling on and off the court proved also that she can play in the WNBA. A very good defender and deadly from 3 point range. Another pleasant surprise was Kristi Toliver who provided the Sparks' offense with another weapon from 3 point range and helped the Sparks be the best 3 point shooting team in the WNBA. The moment everyone waited for was the return of Candace Parker after being hurt last season what kind of shape would she be in this season.

Candace Parker.

Ebony Hoffman

Jenna O'Hea

Kristi Toliver.

Tina Thompson,Candace Parker,DeLisha
Milton-Jones & Larry Barnett.

Candace Parker one of the most exciting players in the WNBA return this season ready to prove to everyone that she is the real deal. Now just like Chick Hearns was to the Lakers there is guy i call the real Charlie of Charlie's Angels the voice of the Sparks Larry Barnett who just like Chick call the game just the way it is and will not show favoritism if the Sparks' players are not playing their a game. This season there were so many different heroes on the Sparks team that really didn't surprise me as i have watch them played and with a few more years of seasoning they will shine. Natasha Lacy point guard for the Sparks with her speed and quickness and a good defender will be a star in this league was one of the main reason that the Sparks held on to defeat Seattle in their

preseason opener 71-66 at Cal State Dominguez back on May 25,2011.

Natasha Lacy photo by Mercy Sanchez.

The Los Angeles Sparks home opener against the Minnesota Lynx and their number one draft pick Maya Moore came into town and the Staple Center was buzzing with excitement in the air.The fans that attended surely got their money worth as the Sparks battle the Lynx. The night was special because this was the 15th Season Anniversary of the WNBA and many were on hand to see the queen of the WNBA Candace Parker welcome what most people say is the new princess of the league Maya Moore. The home opener had the feel of a WNBA playoff game as the 2 time champions Sparks were aiming for a 3rd title this seasons.

Maya Moore photo by Lawrence Enge.

Sparks' Candace Parker & Lynx's
Maya Moore.

The Sparks season seem to be heading in the right direction with a home opener victory over Minnesota 82-74 and with Tina Thompson the WNBA leading scorer and the return of Candace Parker, DeLisha Milton-Jones, Ebony Hoffman. Jantel Lavender the Sparks' draft pick and new players on the team and the return of Joe Bryant as part of the coaching staff with Jennifer Gillom the season look bright for the Sparks until the road trip to New York. Candace Parker went down with a knee injury and this where we saw some players had to grow up before their time and step up and be leaders. When Candace went down Jantel Lavender showed when she got playing time she could deliver as one of her best game she played against the Phoenix Mercury scored 25 points and 10 rebounds.

Jantel Lavender.

Tina Thompson

Ebony Hoffman & Jantel Lavender.

Tina Thompson showed leadership this season with style and class as Candace went down she was more vocal and led by her action on the basketball court. Another leader on the team was DeLisha Milton Jones who had big games all season long a proved she could be a factor when called upon. A lot was ask of players some who never played together before, some who had had to adjust from being a starter to coming off the bench. Then a coaching change during the season as Joe Bryant become the head coach and the superstar of the league would be out for about six weeks no one could have imagine that this would happen.

Ebony Hoffman

DeLisha Milton Jones.

What i enjoyed the most about the season is to watch families have a great time at the game even if the the Sparks win or lose and several of those reason is watching the Old School Girls showing that if you don't use it you will lose it as they performed their dance moves on the floor during time outs that have everyone grooving to their smooth moves even yours truly was busted several times having a good time while covering the game. There are so many things to keep your busy at the game you just can't help yourself. The Dj has the crowd pump up with music that every one can enjoy and what is a game with out the Sparks kids showing off their hip hop moves and putting the fans in a screaming frenzy for free Sparks' t-shirts with Mc Call Hall leading the way.

The Sparks' Old School Girls.

The Sparks' Kids.

Inspiring Women's Night.

The Sparks have been doing a fabulous job giving back to events like the 3rd Annual

Community Outreach Girls High School Basketball Tournament raising clothes for the homeless and other outreach programs. The Sparks donated ticket vouchers for all the teams and coaches who supported the event a chance to come to one of the remaining home games left in the season. The tournament was held August 9-13 at Serra High School in Gardena, Locke High School, Van Nuys High School and Birmingham High School. The Sparks are not just about basketball, but giving back to the fans and the community by supporting programs such as Living Healthy Lifestyle and being Tobacco Free.One of these events were held at Sun Valley Poly High School were the students had a chance to hang out with the Sparks' players and coaches during practice drills and a light scrimmage that gave the fans something to cheer about. Another event was the Inspiring Women's Night at the Staple Center honoring women who have been a major factor and help give back to the community.

3rd Annual Community Outreach Gold Division Champion
Lynwood High School & T.G.Sports L.T. Willis.

Now as i come to the end of my stroll down memory lane i can't help wonder who had the best time at the games the kids, parents or the celebrities who attended the games.

The Sparks have been a first class organization that this season has made it a season we will all truly treasure because the one thing that i can truly say they made sure that each night you attended a Sparks' game you would be in for a treat. The Sparks' fans are truly the most loyal fans you can find anywhere in the WNBA.

Rosie Grier.

Jack Black.

My final statement about this season is that Sparks' President Mike Levy kept his word when he told me that he wanted to put the Sparks back on the map. No one could had told me that there would be a coaching change during the season, that the best player in the WNBA Candace Parker would be out for 6-8 weeks during one of the most brutal road schedules in the WNBA. To ask Joe Bryant to take over a team who was under a different system with Jennifer Gillom , a team with so many new faces and weather the storm until Candace returns, trying to find a line up of players that could make a run for you and having players that were starters now coming off the bench. This team showed that despite everything that has happen this season they handle it with class and style. We saw younger players grow before our eyes when giving playing time they would deliver. Tina Thompson, DeLisha Milton- Jones and Ticha Penicheiro did all they could do to help their younger teammates grow over night. This was a learning season not just for the coaches and players, but for the entire Sparks' organization and staff. You all have done a wonderful job this season and it was a honor for Nick Hamilton, Eric Wade, Nick Koza, Lawrence Enge and myself to be part of the Sparks' Family.