Fever Breaks for Rare Title

First appeared on September 22nd, 2011
in The Lebanon Reporter

It has been a week of rarities in Indiana. First five Hudsonian Godwits were spotted at Goose Pond stopping along their way to South America. For those who don’t know, a Godwit or Limosa haemastica, is a large Arctic Shorebird with long legs and an upturned pink bill used to feed on insects and crustaceans living in shallow water and South America is the continent connected to North America.

Next the three major college football teams in the state all won a game on the same weekend (a feat that seemingly hasn’t happened since the Hoover Administration). This of course was followed by the Browns beating the Colts; which came like punch in the gut to Colts fans who were already doubled over from the kick in the man parts Houston gave them two weeks ago.

But as rare as all of these were, there remains in the Hoosier State something much more Halley’s Comet-like. Something so rare it makes Sasquatch sightings seem as ubiquitous as a corner Starbucks or bad drivers sporting “In God We Trust” license plates.

Yes, something I daresay is even more rare than a Republican Presidential candidate who is qualified, experienced enough, demonstrates mass appeal, speaks eloquently, possesses unique ideas and is capable of debating something intelligently besides the economy.

Of course we’re talking about a team in Indiana with a chance of winning a championship.
And, after Monday night’s 72-62 victory over the New York Liberty in Game 3 of the opening round of the WNBA Playoffs, the only hope of a Championship Hoosiers have now ride on the Indiana Fever.

Despite being the number 1 seed, Indiana had to exorcise some serious demons to eliminate the Liberty. First there was the nightmarish memory of last year’s First Round bow out compliments of New York. Then there was the Liberty’s pugnacious point guard Cappie Pondexter who, it would seem, has owned the Fever longer than Herb Simon. Pondexter not only killed Indiana last year with stellar play and timely shooting as New York’s floor general, she also guided the Phoenix Mercury team that defeated Indiana in the WNBA Finals two years ago.

She’s the Yin to Lin Dunn’s Yang. The thorn in the side of Katie Douglas and a small chunk of lightning quick kryptonite, with great court awareness and scoring ability, for Indiana’s Superwoman (Tamikia Catchings). But alas, Pondexter is firmly in the rearview mirror and now the Fever seem born anew heading into Thursday night’s match up with the Atlanta Soul.

In Monday night’s series clinching win Catchings had 17 points and 8 rebounds. But more than anything her effort and energy levels inspired passionate play from her teammates. Spunky point guard Erin Phillips nabbed a career high 5 steals while Douglas, the other half of Indiana’s two headed monster, used her silky smooth jumper to run in 21 points. Beyond the 5 steals, Phillips also helped reign in the turnovers that sank Indiana’s chances during Game 2 in Madison Square Garden.

So now the Fever find themselves in the Eastern Conference Finals again. And as the defending Eastern Conference Champion and overall number 3 seed, Atlanta is no slouch. To slide by the Soul they’ll need to slow down Angel McCoughtry. Dunn and her staff have 48 hours to figure out how to stop the 14 points per game McCoughtry has been netting in the playoffs to this point.

Meanwhile as rare as Championships in Indiana may be, when the Fever return to action they’ll do so with the Title hopes of 6 million Hoosiers resting squarely on their backs.


© 2011 Eric Walker Williams