Storm Tonight!

The Mystics finish out their 4-game West Coast swing in Seattle tonight, with a game against the Storm that tips off at 10 PM ET. Yes, another late start for fans out here in the DC area. And unfortunately for any East Coast night owls, the Live Access video for this game will be blacked out because ESPN2 will be broadcasting the Sky's game vs the Sparks. So anyone staying up to follow the Mystics' game live (most likely not the BasketCases) will get Frank Hanrahan's** ("woman-to-woman D") audio only.

As our readers already know, tonight's game is very important to the Mystics' playoff chances. Washington and Chicago both enter today's games tied for 4th. Meanwhile, last season's WNBA Champions, the Detroit Shock, are making a late-season push, and are trailing the Mystics and the Sky by only 1 game. Since all three teams are playing tonight (the Shock play on the road at Connecticut), the standings may look very different this time tomorrow.

To state the obvious, if the Mystics want to control their own destiny, they need a "W" to conclude this road trip . . . no easy task. The Storm (2nd in the Western Conference) are 10-3 at home this season. To get the win, the Mystics will need to bring the same energy and execution (not to mention rebounding and free throw shooting) they brought last Friday against the (1st in the Western Conference) Mercury.

It can be done! Go Mystics! Beat the Storm!

**Afternoon Update: The Mystics have announced that Christy Winters Scott will be calling tonight's game.

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A Very Sad Note . . . Kathy Hawk, wife of Connecticut Assistant Coach Scott Hawk, passed away yesterday. The BasketCases' thoughts and prayers are with Coach Hawk and his family.