by Roger Zotti
CT Sun 2008
A basketball team wins by putting in more baskets than its opponent. Well, the CT Sun didn’t do that against the New York Liberty, September 22, at Mohegan Sun Arena, and the 66-62 setback eliminated them in the opening round of the 2008 Eastern WNBA playoffs.
“First… I want to congratulate New York,” Mike Thibault, Head Coach, CT Sun, said. “They played terrific when they needed to.” Mike then cited some interesting stats: “We won in turnovers, rebounding, free throws, fouls, and yet we lost a game because we shoot 34-percent and they shoot 47-percent.” Asjha Jones, MVP candidate said, “We didn’t make the adjustments we needed… We exceeded some people’s expectations [this season], but that doesn’t help. We have a lot of … rookies, playing out of their natural position and developing new skills. We are a team who wants to get better.”
Shameka Christon, NY Liberty, – what a terrific player she is – noted, “To me… we just beat ‘The Fantastic Four,’ Lindsay Whalen, Tamika Whitmore, Asjha Jones, and Mike Thibault. They are great. I have so much respect for them…” Pat Coyle, Head Coach, NY Liberty, intoned, “…it was an unbelievable team effort… when they came back and got the lead it would have been easy for us to fold but we didn’t.”
Despite the setback, the 2008 campaign was a stellar one for CT: They had bevy of new players – which included a number of rookies – and a second place finish. To top it off, Mike was named WNBA Coach of the Year. Sun coaches, players, and staff take a bow for giving fans an exciting, enjoyable season.
Micah Rood
If you haven’t seen “The Curse of Micah Rood,” you owe it to yourself to see it. But if you have seen it, check it out it again for its nuances. It’s a true gem. Just right for the day before Halloween.
So, get a sitter for Thursday, October 30. “The Curse of Micah Rood,” co-starring Ron Palillo and Brian Ellsworth, will be screened at Olde Mistick Village Cinema in Mystic. Alec Asten directed “Micah Road” and Eric Toriello produced. Nick Checker, Quaker Hill, who wrote the screenplay, told me, “A number of the short films we’ve been shooting will also be shown as a preliminary. Those that aren’t ready will be screened at an ensuing film festival.”
Mystic Aquarium Run/Walk
This just in: “Lace up your sneakers and get ready to run or walk for the good of our feathered friends,” said John Trahan, one of the organizers of the Penguin 5K Run/Walk that the Mystic Aquarium: An Institute for Exploration, will hold October 18, 9:00 a.m. “It’s to benefit our much loved African penguins.” The 5k run, two mile walk, and quarter-mile children’s race take place on a field, trail, and road course.
“For the first time this year,” John explained, “the event includes a merchants’ competition open to local business teams and a middle school cross-country team competition. The money raised goes toward the aquarium’s penguin research and conservation efforts.”
Entry fee is $20.00. After October 11, it’s $25.00. For kids, 3-13, it’s $10.00. “All participants receive free admission to the Mystic Aquarium: An Institute for Exploration on race day,” John said. “Register at mysticaquarium.org.”
John stressed that volunteers are needed. Volunteers get a free pass to visit the Aquarium. “The penguins will be out mingling with their fans and this is a great opportunity to see them up close and have a picture taken with them,” John said.
