"Do I Hear $5,000?"

YES!!! Today was the Mystics' annual Breast Health Awareness Game, followed by the now-annual auction to benefit Sibley Memorial Hospital's Sullivan Center For Breast Health. The auction was a resounding success, raising nearly $39,000! Among the items auctioned off was a package that included, among many other things, Alana Beard's All-Star jersey, photos, and the late addition of a golf outing at Sheila Johnson's resort in Florida. The package went for a whopping $5,000! Great event! Great cause!

Many other items were auctioned off as well, including a meal with Lang and Marissa, which went for $2,000 (toddler not included).

Every player's pink game jersey was auctioned off. Kia worked the crowd hard and raised $700.

Greg Bibb was the auctioneer, displaying, once again, a great talent for the job. But this year, he had a good bit of help from Matee Ajavon, who used her wonderful sense of humor and enthusiasm to help run up the bids on many of the items.

Lindsey's game-worn pink jersey -- with lunch thrown in -- brought in $3,500, demonstrating the immense popularity of this Mystics newcomer.

But it was Marissa Coleman's jersey (without lunch!) that earned the highest apparel bid this evening -- a staggering $3,600!

Oh yeah, there was a game today. Prior to the auction, the Mystics (pretty in pink) took on the Lynx in a game that was critical to the playoff chances of each team. The Mystics were down a few points at the half, 38-34, but roared back with a huge third quarter (33-16!) to build a lead that was threatened but never relinquished. The Mystics won, 81-75. Meanwhile, New York beat Chicago (sorry, Kristi) at the Garden and, late tonight, the Sun lost to the Sparks in LA. So now, Washington is not only back in a playoff spot, but in 3rd place! That's the good news.

The bad news is that, very late in the game, Alana sprained her left ankle, and was unable to return. She appeared briefly at the auction . . . on crutches. For Alana's sake, most of all, we hope this is nothing serious. And, of course, as excited as we are now that the Mystics are back in playoff position, it goes without saying that if Alana has to miss any of the remaining five games, the Mystics will have a tougher time hanging onto that playoff spot.

Photo Credit: DCBasketCases