Let's Get Caught Up!

Shay's About to Get Some Company!

On Monday, the Terps announced that Crystal Langhorne would be honored at this coming Sunday's Senior Day game by having her number raised to the rafters at Comcast.

We guess the University figured, why wait? Since Lang's name already appears at the top of so many categories in the Maryland record book (in addition to the gold medals and honors she's earned wearing the Red, White and Blue of USA Basketball), it's inconceivable that she wouldn't be accorded such an honor! So, before Sunday's 2 PM tip-off against FSU, all the Terps' Seniors will be honored, and after the game, Lang's #1 banner will join Shay's, Vicky's and those of all the other Terrapin Greats in that rarified air up there in Comcast. Lots to look forward to!

Sunday has all the makings of a two-hanky day . . . with this game marking the last regular-season appearances at home for Lang, Harp, Jade, Ashleigh and Christie Marrone . . . and then, at game's end, seeing Crystal's jersey honored . . . whew . . . two hankies might not be enough! Those of us who've followed the careers of these talented young ladies will no doubt be feeling a certain sense of loss. But cheer up, Terps fans, there's still plenty to smile about . . .

McDonald's & WBCA All-American. Lynetta (Yah-Yah) Kizer, Maryland's incoming recruit from Potomac H.S. (Woodbridge, VA), was named this week to both the McDonalds and the WBCA (Women's Basketball Coaches Association) All-American teams. As we've previously reported, Lynetta is the nation's top-ranked post player in the 2008 class. Congratulations to Lynetta! We can't wait to see her in a Terps uniform, playing alongside Drey Mingo and helping to fill some of that open space in the front court left by the graduation of Lang, Harp and Jade. Should be exciting!

Vanilla Park. All successful coaches have to have a certain amount of ice running through their veins, but it was news to the BasketCases that Coach Daron Park has some Vanilla Ice running through his! Apparently Jim Carrey isn't the only guy who knows how to put his personal spin on a little Vanilla Ice Ice Baby!

And, of Course, More Baby News! The Diamondback has provided two articles this week . . . a very Lite-hearted one yesterday and another today telling us that Mom Brenda, Dad Mark, and babies Tyler and Markus all arrived home yesterday. Great news!

Under the Shell. This next episode should really be something! We've heard there'll be some very special pre and post-partum coverage of the arrival of the two newest Twerps Terps on Saturday morning's Under the Shell (10 AM on Comcast SportsNet). So write it in (in ink) on your calendars, set your TIVO or boot up your DVR . . . this is one episode you do not want to miss!

And Some Mystics News. This time next year when Nakia Sanford hands her accountant her Form W-2, she can thank the Minnesota Lynx for her bigger tax bill. Kia, a WNBA restricted free agent this year, was signed yesterday to an "offer sheet" by the Minneapolis franchise. The Mystics have 5 days to match the offer if they wish to retain Kia's services. The BasketCases and many other Mystics fans (judging from message board chatter) expect that the Mystics will match whatever amount the Lynx are offering . . . which, perhaps, will bump fan favorite Kia into a higher tax bracket.

Speaking of the Mystics . . . GM Linda Hargrove is planning to attend Sunday's Terps game (she speaks so highly of Maryland in her blog that we're convinced she's a closet turtle fan, but don't anybody tell Alana Beard or Mo Currie. *wink*). Don't forget, the Mystics have the 6th pick in April's WNBA draft.

P.S. to our blogging buddies over at womenshoops.blogspot.com, jessie & steve: Is Nakia really 6'4"? Well, she's as real a 6'4"er as the rest of the gals of "that height" are in the WNBA.

Photo Credit: Noam Galai