THE SPARKS DEFEATS SEATTLE 74-61 IN HOME OPENER

Story by L.T.Willis

The Los Angeles Sparks (2-0) hosted The Seattle Storm (0-2) for
their season home opener. Photo by Eric Wade/T.G.Sports.

 More than 9,000 plus Sparks fans came out for the home opener against the (0-2) Seattle Storm at The Staple Center to cheer on their (2-0) Los Angeles Sparks. The big excitement was that many fans would get a chance to see the Sparks' number one draft pick Nneka Ogwumike from Stanford for the first time.So far Nneka have live up to what she brings to the table is a player who brings non stop energy to the game every night on offense and defense.Also the Sparks picked up Alana Beard a point guard who has had a great impact on the team already especially in practices.

Sparks #30 Nneka Ogwumike. Photo
by Eric Wade/T.G.Sports.

Seattle Storm #7 Tina Thompson.Photo by

Eric Wade/T.G.Sports.

Sparks' #0 Alana Beard. Photo by Eric
Wade/T.G.Sports.

Tina Thompson who sign with the Seattle Storm was in town also and for fans who remember when she played for the Houston Comets gave the Sparks fits when ever they played them, and was hoping that would  not be the case for the Sparks home opener. This was coach Ross first game at Staple Center as a head coach and you could just see the excitement in her during the game, and why not she has one of the best players in the WNBA Candace Parker on her team who came out on a mission.

Sparks' #3 Candace Parker. Photo
by Eric Wade/ T.G.Sports.

Sparks' #20 Kristi Toliver. Photo by
Eric Wade/T.G.Sports.

With Alana Beard at point the Sparks were more aggressive attacking the basket and with one of the best shooters in the league Kristi Toliver was hitting big shots all night long against the Storm. The Storm had no answer for the Sparks who just had to much offense for them to handle. The Sparks' defense forced 19 turnovers which led to 24 points , while the Storm forced 15 turnovers that led to 14 points for the them






The Sparks are still getting the wrinkles out of their offense but their defense have came up big for them so far this season.The Sparks defeated the Storm 74-61 with pressure type defense for most of the night. The Storm's Ann Wauters led here team in scoring with 15 points,Tina Thompson had 13 points,Shekinna Stricklen 11points and Camile Little 10 points. Candace Parker had a double double scoring 21 points and 10 rebounds, Kristi Toliver 18 points and Alana Beard finish with 13 points. This year team is really deep in talent at all positions, so it's just a matter of time once the offense gets clicking this should be a very good team this season. All photos are by Eric Wade.T.G.Sports and EW Gems Images.