Silver Stars Outshine Shock in Omaha

By Julie Fox: SPM NE Writer
Posted Sunday, May 13, 2007

The San Antonio Silver Stars showed up with a message to deliver to the Detroit Shock, and the 2,500 fans at Omaha’s Qwest Center today: We Mean Business This Season.

The Stars put up a 61-57 win against the defending WNBA champions, who played without all-star Deanna Nolan.

My how things have changed! Becky Hammon, Erin Buescher and Ruth Riley in Silver Stars uniforms? (I’m still not used to Vickie Johnson in black...). Pee Wee Johnson and Katie Feenstra in Shock uniforms? (I’m still not used to Katie Smith wearing anything other than Minnesota green...).

Should I consider it a good thing that I've become somewhat of an "old-timer?" I couldn't help but think of the 'old days' of the WNBA. It was unfortunate that there were no programs or roster cards available for the fans at this non-WNBA city; even I was having trouble figuring out who was who without some assistance.

Erin Buescher, formerly of the Sacramento Monarchs, led all scorers with 14 points. Teammate Sophia Young was right behind with 12 points, and ended one rebound shy of a double-double. The Silver Stars had the advantage on the offensive glass, but Detroit's Cheryl Ford pulled down 13 defensive boards to give the total rebounding edge to the Shock.

Former Silver Star and now Shock point guard, Shannon "Pee Wee" Johnson led her new team with 12 points, followed by another former Silver Star, Katie Feenstra, who had 10 points. Plenette Pierson also had 10 points for the Shock.

Both teams had respectable free throw percentages, the Shock hit 69 while the Silver Stars nearly matched them with 67 percent. Turnovers plagued the Shock, though. They gave up the ball 24 times to San Antonio's 14.

Neither Kendra Wecker nor rookie Khara Smith played today for the Silver Stars. San Antonio starter -- and former Detroit center -- Ruth Riley had three fouls in the first quarter, and thus saw limited minutes during the second and third.

Shock rookies Amy Sanders and Ivory Latta played limited minutes as well. Latta hit a key 3-point shot with 10 seconds left in the game that brought the Shock within two. But Detroit was then forced to foul, and former Liberty All-Star Becky Hammon, who led the league in free-throw percentage in 2006, hit both to clinch the game for San Antonio. (Note: box score does not list Sanders for the Shock, but she was there and did play).

San Antonio will open their regular season on the road against the Phoenix Mercury on May 19th; Detroit will host the Sacramento Monarchs that afternoon as well in a championship re-match that will air nationally on ABC television. Before tip-off, the Shock will raise their 2006 WNBA Championship banner and each player will receive her championship ring.