DEERFIELD, IL — The Chicago Sky look to regain ground on their losing record as they continue their late-June matchups. The Sky are preparing to take on the Dallas Wings in an attempt to snap their four-game cold streak. Head coach Teresa Weatherspoon has continued to speak on the improvements her team needs to make. Moreover, she emphasized that Chicago is not ready to give up amid their slump, using an interesting “towel” metaphor.
Weatherspoon revealed the powerful mindset the team possesses after the Sky's practice on Wednesday.
“We don't have a towel to throw in. We come in and go to work. See what we need to do [to improve] and battle through. We're not the only team that's ever gone through anything. It's a matter of battling through and getting yourself back on track,” Weatherspoon claimed.
Chicago is in a fight to stay afloat as they chase an Eastern Conference playoff spot. Weatherspoon knows that it will take all hands to help the team rally and get wins. She revealed insight about the players she relies on the most during trying times.
“Every one of them. We rely upon each other, and that's the lesson. In order to be successful as a team, you have to rely on each other,” Weatherspoon said.
The Sky look to band together against a Wings team that is equally as desperate. Dallas enters the June 20th matchup with a 3-10 record, which ranks them last in the Western Conference standings. Weatherspoon knows the game will be hard-earned.
“We have to prepare for who Dallas is. A lot of it is getting offensive strategy [in line], correcting a lot defensively,” Weatherspoon revealed.
Teresa Weatherspoon wants to continue helping the Sky improve their record
The Sky have been able to get increased practice since their June 16th loss against the Indiana Fever. Weatherspoon spoke on the impact having the time together has had on the team.
“It has been great to have these two days of practice,” Weatherspoon said. “I don't think people understand how important practice really is and how that's where things really start. We've had a really good start in these past two practices. So we're feeling pretty good about ourselves.”
One of the things Weatherspoon continues to emphasize is offensive execution. Starting guard Marina Mabrey believes the team is better prepared to execute their board offense after successfully running through sets.
“I feel like we've done a really good job. We've been drawing up plays and translating them from the board to the court. So I have a lot more hope that we'll go out there with a little more focus and concentration,” Mabrey said after Wednesday's practice.
In addition to executing the game plan, the Sky need outstanding individual play. Chennedy Carter is one such player who continues to get praise from Teresa Weatherspoon. Weatherspoon spoke on Carter's impact after she inserted her into the starting lineup for the first time against the Fever on June 16th.
“She's a spark,” Weatherspoon said. “The athleticism is necessary and needed to who we are and what we're trying to accomplish. Doesn't matter whether she's coming off the bench or starting. One thing about Chennedy Carter, she accepts her role.”
Chicago will look to continue to rely on Carter and the rest of their contributors in the Wings game and beyond. As Weatherspoon revealed, the Sky do not plan on throwing in the towel anytime soon. They want to keep fighting and climb the conference standings.
Follow Us
Subscribe