It is a roster peppered with WNBA champions, as well as All Stars and Olympic Champions. The cupboard is certainly stocked and the expectations are high for a team that should consider anything less than a WNBA championship disappointment. Ladies, it is time to bring it home.
The Indiana Fever embark on their 10th season in the WNBA and while there are plenty of reasons for enthusiasm, there are questions as well, as this group attempts to capture the first championship in franchise history.
While the squad is anchored with veteran All Stars such as Tamika Catchings, Katie Douglas, Yolanda Griffith and Tammy Sutton-Brown, it will indeed depend on a group of rookies and second year players to gel, and contribute right off the bat, if indeed they are to have the playoff run many are envisioning.
Second year head coach Lin Dunn who will no doubt lean heavily on her veterans, will also need some contributions from Briann January who was taken sixth overall by the Fever in the recent WNBA draft. January is a highly touted defensive player and as a point guard, possesses a nice shooting touch.
Christina Wirth who was drafted 19th overall by the Fever in the second round, is a forward that can indeed shoot the ball and has displayed the ability in her career to play both inside and on the perimeter. Coach Dunn will also be able to call on the experience of veterans Tamecka Dixon and Tully Bevilaqua off the bench, as the Fever should on most nights, be able to call on every player on the roster to contribute, a luxury that many WNBA teams do not currently have.
Notes: The Fever dropped their home opener to Minnesota by a score of 96-74. They were playing the second night of a back to back set which saw them drop their season opener at Atlanta in double overtime fashion by a score of 87-86.
The Fever have three home games remaining in the month of June beginning with Los Angeles on June 12, defending WNBA Champions Detroit on June 21, and a visit on June 27 from New York. Tickets can be purchased at the Conseco Fieldhouse Box Office or at Ticketmaster.com.
June 27 is Heart Healthy Night and the first 2,500 fans in attendance will receive a free Fever tote bag courtesy of Community Health Network.
Fever players Tamecka Dixon, Yolanda Griffith, Erica White and Khadijah Whittington will all appear at the Indianapolis Zoo on June 28 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., where they will interact with the Dolphin Show and help celebrate Elephant Awareness Week.
The Fever waived veteran Tan White and rookie Danielle Campbell to reach the league roster limit of 11 players.
Danny Bridges, who feels the Fever are as much of the local sports landscape as the Pacers or the Colts, can be reached at (317) 578-1780 or Bridgeshd@aol.com.
