Mystics 2003
by
Mystics4Ever
May 11, 2003 (Posted May 15, 2003)

Last year the Mystics reached the Eastern Conference finals after their best season (17-15) in the franchise history. With the majority of the 2002 roster returning and with the addition of players who will add strength in the front court, the Mystics are poised for a very successful season. They have already started off on a positive note with a 52-46 victory over the Lynx in an preseason game on May 9th in Rochester, Minnesota.

In the WNBA dispersal draft, which allowed the teams to select players from the now-defunct Portland and Miami teams, the Mystics obtained Jenny Mowe, a 6'5" Center from the Portland Fire. While Mowe (Oregon 2001) did not get much playing time in Portland, she does have other professional experience, having played in Poland after the 2001 season and in China after the 2002 season. Mowe loves to battle in the post, and once given the opportunity to play, will add much needed front court depth. In the preseason Lynx game, Mowe played 9 minutes and contributed 2 points with 4 rebounds.

In the first round of the WNBA collegiate draft, Mystics Coach Stanley and Player Personnel Consultant Pat Summitt chose Aiysha Smith, a 6'2" Center from Louisiana State. In the Lynx game, Smith played 16 minutes with 4 points and 2 rebounds. With their next draft pick, the Mystics chose 5'7" Guard Zuzana Zirkova, who is playing for Gambrinus JME in the Czech Republic. Zirkova will join the team shortly after completing overseas play. The Mystics also chose 5'10" Guard Trish Juline from Villanova, a 2003 AP All-American Honorable Mention. Juline played 8 minutes against the Lynx with 0 points but 2 rebounds. With their last draft pick, the Mystics got 6'0" Forward Tamara Bowie from Ball State, the MAC Conference Player of the Year. Bowie only played 5 minutes against the Lynx with 1 rebound.

The Mystics have also signed 5'7" Point Guard Sonja Henning, a 4 year WNBA veteran who started for the 1999 Houstin Comets championship team before going to Seattle in the 2000 WNBA expansion draft. Although Henning played 16 minutes against the Lynx, she had no points or assists but 1 rebound.

Some familiar faces will be missing from the Mystics this year. Much loved veteran Center Vicky Bullett has retired. The Mystics withdrew Tausha Mills' qualifying contract, making her an unrestricted free agent, and the Mystics did not offer contracts this year to Maren Walseth or Audrey Sauret.

Despite the absence of those players, Mystics' fans will be in for an exciting season with the addition of the new players and the return of so many outstanding players. The excitement begins with Forward Chamique Holdsclaw, who in 2002 led the WNBA in scoring (19.9 points per game) and rebounding (11.6 rebounds per game) despite missing 12 games due to a sprained ankle and the death of her grandmother. She has already started out the 2003 season on a high note, with 20 points and 11 rebounds against the Lynx.

As a rookie in 2002, Stacey Dales-Schuman started out strong but appeared to tire during the season and her production declined as she played fewer minutes. Despite this, she was still among the leaders in the WNBA for 3-pointers made (43 of 109 for a .394 percentage). She should show improvement this season with more consistant playing time. In the Lynx game, she played 20 minutes and had 9 points (1 out of 4 for 3-pointers), 2 rebounds, 1 assist and 2 steals.

As a rookie in 2001, Guard Coco Miller was given very little playing time despite being the Mystics' #1 draft pick. Many thought the Mystics had made a mistake in choosing her. However, in 2002, under Coach Stanley, Miller became a full-time starter and was named the WNBA's Most Improved Player! Just think what she can do this year! With the Lynx game, the Rochester, Minnesota native was playing her first game in her home town since she graduated from Mayo High School in 1997. Miller started out a bit nervous, missing 5 straight shots in the first half, but made 3 jump shots at the start of the second half. She ended the game with 11 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 blocked shot, and 1 steal.

Forward Murriel Page, who was very effective last year off the bench and as an occasional starter, will now be in the starting line-up with the retirement of Vicky Bullett. Point Guard Annie Burgess will also return to the starting line-up, although she will not be joining the team until mid-June because she is finishing the playing season in France. Keisha Brown, a second year player from Georgia, will start at Point Guard until Burgess returns.

The Mystics home preseason game will be on Tuesday, May 13th, at 7PM. Come on out to show your support for the 2003 Mystics!

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