A Disappointing End to a Disappointing Season

By Amy Koler: SPM DC Writer
Posted Monday, September 15, 2008

Minnesota rookie Charde Houston led all scorers with 18 points. Photo by Donna Parry.

WASHINGTON, DC - Fan appreciation night. One would imagine that Mystic fans, who have not tasted victory since the end of July, would have appreciated a win on Sunday. In an otherwise inconsequential game, one might also surmise that the home team would have more motivation than its opponent — wanting to leave the fans with a good feeling heading into the off-season. No such luck for Washington fans on this day. Instead, fans had to settle for t-shirts and trinkets thrown into the stands during time-outs as they watched the home team get thumped by the Minnesota Lynx, 96-70. The conclusion of the Mystics’ season only brought into sharper focus the questions that have revolved around the team for months, with the team finishing a disappointing 10-24.

Perhaps it was the weight of unmet expectations or the fatigue of back-to-back games, but the Mystics showed no fight, and frankly little interest, as the Lynx—playing without All-Stars Seimone Augustus and Candice Wiggins—seemingly scored at will throughout the game. The Lynx took control of the game in the opening moments and maintained it through the entirety of the contest, outplaying the Mystics in every statistical category on both ends of the floor.

They were outshot from the floor (55.6 to 41 percent), from the free throw line (62 to 57 percent), and from beyond the arc (53 to 37.5 percent). The Lynx collected more rebounds (39 to 30), more assists (21 to 12), blocked more shots (6 to 1), and held the advantage for turnovers (12 to 16). The Mystics were able to collect more personal fouls than the Lynx, however.

Reserve Charde Houston led all scorers with 18 points, but she got plenty of support from her teammates as six Lynx scored in double figures. For the Mystics, Alana Beard led the team in scoring with 17 points, with Tasha Humphrey chipping in an additional 11.

Interim coach Jessie Kenlaw said, “The things I regret most are the losses… but I feel like a foundation was laid.” She also revealed, “As I look back, had I known some things that I know now, I'm not sure I would have accepted the position.”

Not surprisingly, fans are left with more questions than answers, most of which will have to wait for answers from team management, or perhaps ownership. Will General Manager Linda Hargrove retain her job despite another season of failing to meet expectations? What direction will management take — will the team begin an earnest rebuilding effort, or will they bring in veterans in an attempt to make the playoffs next season? Who from the current roster will return? Will Jessie Kenlaw formally become the head coach — or does she even want to return to Washington?

For the fans who endured another disappointing season, capped by nine straight losses, the thing they might most appreciate are answers to these fundamental questions.

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