NEWS » t. I hate backing up when Stokesey is throwing.

ROSEMONT, Ill. -- The text came from the back of the bus. The Sky had lost two straight games in the WNBA semifinals and were on the ride from OHare to practice Monday after a four-hour red-eye flight from Los Angeles.Can we talk? Sky rookie Imani Boyette texted coach Pokey Chatman. I promise, I dont want to suck this bad.The sixth-year Sky coach smiled as she relayed the story Sunday night, minutes after her teams 70-66 Game 3 victory over the Sparks at Allstate Arena.Thats difficult for anyone to do, to admit when theyre not up to the level they expect for themselves, Chatman said. But for a rookie in crunch time, that was the first thing on her mind. We only talked for three or four minutes, and it wasnt about the message I gave her because it didnt change.It was just about that moment for her, and I just reminded her, Listen, we trust. We believe. Relax. Dont overthink it. Be instinctive. And do what youre capable of doing.Boyette did exactly that by tallying 13 points and 11 rebounds to force Game 4 (ESPN2, 8 p.m. ET Tuesday) in the best-of-five series. She had six points and five rebounds in the fourth quarter and six points, three rebounds and a block in the final 2:18 of regulation.I just felt I hadnt shown up in this series yet. The lights have been kind of bright, said the 6-foot-7 center, who was named to the WNBAs all-rookie team last week. Ive been guarding two of the best players, so yeah, I was very much a rookie this series.Those two players -- Nneka Ogwumike, the leagues MVP, and Candace Parker, a two-time MVP playing minutes from where she grew up -- had been a force this series. On Sunday, Ogwumike scored 14 of her 22 points in the first quarter as the Sparks charged to a 13-point lead five minutes into the game.Thats when the Skys zone defense kicked in and shaved the deficit to nine points at the half. Chicago took its first lead since 2-0 on a driving layup by Courtney Vandersloot with 2:11 left in the period and held Los Angeles to just eight points in the third quarter.That is just unheard of for a team that skilled and with that many offensive threats, said Vandersloot, who led the Sky in scoring with 17 points on 6-of-13 shooting and five assists. Thats going to be the key. Offense has kind of been our thing all season, and this game was low-scoring for us, but we got it done on the defensive end.For the second consecutive season, Chicago led the WNBA in scoring. But playing without Elena Delle Donne the last five games of the regular season and all of the playoffs, after she suffered a thumb injury that required surgery Sept. 13, the Sky had to look for various sources to extend their season.Boyette was the difference-maker on Sunday.Chatman praised Boyettes aggressiveness in the paint. After picking up her fifth foul while trying to block a shot from Ogwumike with 4:46 remaining, Boyette blocked Parkers layup a little more than 2 minutes later with the Sky up 60-59. Five points from Kristi Toliver helped stretch the Sparks lead to 64-62 with 1:30 left in regulation. Then back-to-back putbacks by Boyette gave the Sky a lead they would not relinquish.Shes a body down there, and she cant go ignored. And I think that we werent prepared for that, Ogwumike said. I think this is the first time were really seeing her in the series, and someone has to be on her at all times, especially when the shot goes up. Thats a huge adjustment were going to have to make.For Boyette, pep talks by teammates and coaches were instrumental.My coaches were just kind of like, Dont worry about it. Youre playing timid because youre scared of foul trouble. Weve got somebody to replace you. Just go out there, be aggressive and play your game. If you foul out, you foul out, she said. Its a lot easier to play that way.The Sparks, who lost for the first time in six games against the Sky this season, had to endure hearing their coach praise Chicago for its spirited play.Not that I like to be on the other side of it, Sparks coach Brian Agler said, but its good to see a team compete like that.The Sparks said they will be ready for Game 4 on Tuesday in Chicago, especially after a motivating speech from Toliver in the locker room.This is what champions strive for. Youre not going to sweep everybody. This is the semifinals, Ogwumike said in echoing Tolivers sentiment. And I think thats a little bit reflective of how we responded today. We got up by a lot, and we got a little frazzled. We need to relax, calm down and understand that in games, there are going to be ups and downs. Wholesale Falcons Jerseys . "I was fortunate to play many years at this level with a great organization and unbelievable teammates," said Hejduk in a statement. Cheap Falcons Jerseys . Boucher previously coached the Tampa Bay Lightning and had a 97-78-20 record over two-plus seasons. He was dismissed by the team last March after the Lightning struggled in the lockout-shortened season with a 13-18-1 record. http://www.cheapfalconsjerseyselite.com/ .ca looks back at the stories and moments that made the year memorable. Cheap Falcons Jerseys China . The next step is a better finish. Bae played bogey-free Friday on another gorgeous day at Riviera for a 5-under 66, giving him a one-shot lead over Aaron Baddeley and Robert Garrigus going into the weekend. Cheap Falcons Jerseys Authentic . The 26-year-old Ireland striker, who has four goals this season, has signed a three-and-a-half year contract with his new club. You average 20 with the bat in Tests and 34 in ODIs. When can we start calling you a genuine allrounder? When Im not frightened of anything over 70mph?A high catch goes up. Take it and you win the Ashes. Which of your team-mates do you want to see under it? Jonny Bairstow or Jos Buttler. Theyve got gloves on! It should be impossible to drop it with those things on.Whose wicket are you the most proud of? I have managed to get Brendon McCullum out like five times. To get a player like that out means I must be doing something right.Which of your team-mates is the last at the bar to get a round in? Graham Onions. He is the tightest man in the whole of England.Who is the worst dancer? It depends on what time of the night it is because there are some horrendous ones at the end. Jimmy [Anderson] has got a bit of hip action and Ramps [Mark Ramprakash] is ex-Strictly Come Dancing so he is right up there with the best.But who is the worst? Ill have to go with Adil Rashid.Which of your team-mates look like they get dressed in the dark?Alex Hales. Nothing he wears ever goes. For some strange reason he always seems to be representing England and Notts. He will wear jeans and an England top. Or a hoodie and some England shorts. He may have a nice shirt on, then wear some training tracksuit bottoms with it. Can I pick another?Go for it... Well theres two, actually. Jason Roy, because hes built like a farmer. He has to have clothes specially made for him. And one I used to play with a few years ago - Dale Benkenstein. He used to wear Asics trainers with jeans. It was like a walking fitness regime look.Who has the worst dressing-room habits? Alex Hales is the sloppiest man Ive ever seen. Anything he could possibly forget - wallets, watchhes, belts, keys - he forgets.dddddddddddd Stokesey picks his scabs. And Liam Plunketts toes are always made up of dead skin, which isnt great.The England squad are lined up for a 100m race. Who wins? Chris Jordan is rapid. Ill go for him.Who is slowest? Rooty [Joe Root] and Chef [Alastair Cook] can bat all day, but I reckon the Titanic turns quicker than those two.Which of your team-mates would you least like to get in a boxing ring with? Stokesey - for obvious reasons. Who has the strongest throwing arm? Stokesey again - or Plunkett. Their throws never seem to go up, theyre always so flat. I hate backing up when Stokesey is throwing. Even if the batsman is a yard out his crease Ill be shouting: Hold it!Whats the best thing about playing cricket for a living? Being in a dressing room, the team atmosphere. Youre hanging out every day with your best mates, having a laugh.And the worst? When you have to start in March or April, its really cold and youre not allowed to wear a woolly hat.Who has the worst banter in the England dressing room? Adam Lyth used to get shot down a lot. He had poor chat and rated himself on the football field. He was a good player - dont get me wrong - but he used to get a bit of stick.Give us one name to look out for who is destined for a bright future in cricket. Tom Helm. If he stays fit, he will be a phenomenal bowler.What piece of advice would you give a young fast bowler? Keep it simple and have a bit of fire in your belly.What meat is your favourite on a roast dinner? Lamb. Easy, next...Describe yourself in four words. Northumbrian, extrovert, rugged, Capricorn. ' ' '