Even without stars Skylar Diggins, Lindsay Whalen and Seimone Augustus, who were sidelined by injuries, there was still plenty of offense for the West. Injury replacement Kayla McBride, another first-timer, scored 13 points in the first half to help keep the West in the game.
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“I think they (the Connecticut fans) double dipped, is that allowed?” With the game on the line and the pressure mounting, it was a much different feeling when Moore poured in buckets.
It’s the fourth time Mohegan Sun Arena, home of the Connecticut Sun, will host the All-Star festivities and the second time in the last three years.
“It was a blast of a game, those are moments that are fun for us”, said Moore, who starred at UConn and led the Huskies to an NCAA-record 90 straight wins and two national championships.
With perennial all-stars like UConn legend Diana Taurasi and Sylvia Fowles not playing and Candace Parker set to make her season debut later this month, it has opened up opportunities for some lesser-known players to move into the spotlight. That’s when she shines. She is one of those players who gets into a rhythm and gets the crowd involved. “She knows how to put the ball in the hole”. I think we can all agree that there is not a checkered suit on this earth that this man could not rock.
Bentley had a wide-eyed innocence the entire weekend, whether it was during Friday’s practice or Saturday’s entertaining showcase.
The West’s victory was the All-Star swan song for Indiana star Tamika Catchings (8 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists), who has played in a record 10 of them.
“I’m just trying to bring something exciting to the game”, Griner said. “I’ve been wanting to play basketball since I was 5- or 6-years-old”.
Moore, selected the game’s most valuable player, drained the go-ahead 3-pointer with 1:51 remaining in the game.
“I’ve been dreaming for events and days like this all my life”, Bentley said. “In high school, I was watching her compete and being compared to her, wearing knee pads like her. She’s somebody who embodies so many things that you want the next generation to look like”. Just a sneak peek at that outfit leaves me craving a view of its full glory.
While Catchings played in her All-Star finale, the future of the league is bright with so many talented young stars, including Griner and the league’s leading scorer Elena Delle Donne.
Im excited, Catchings said. Moore and Della Donne stayed consistently hot, Sue Bird continued her superlative passing, and Tina Charles came in to make some clutch plays. I hope I am good enough.’. “And I’m preaching kind of the same thing”. The star has taken not just Seattle but the entire WNBA by storm since being drafted back in 2002. WNBA President Laurel Richie announced McBride’s selection Thursday, choosing the Erie, Pennsylvania, native as an injury replacement on this year’s West All-Star roster.
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Brittney Griner added 21 points, including a two-handed dunk, for the West.
