Two games into the Washington Mystics’ grueling stretch run to conclude the regular season — they’re in the midst of 14 games in 31 days — head coach Tree Rollins ran practice long on Monday, trying hard to improve his team’s ability to attack zone defenses.
They executed a good portion of the drills with the starters watching from the bench.
“We’re going to try and get them as much rest as we can during practice and try to play them as many minutes as possible,” said Rollins. “Not that we’re going to forget about our bench because it’s important, but when the game is in the balance, you want to have your starters in.”
Rollins said backup centers Gillian Goring and Yelena Leuchanka each practiced well, but neither has been able to outdistance the other consistently enough to claim the final active roster spot on game nights.
“I’m moving up a notch, but I still have a ways to go,” said Goring. The 6-foot-7 rookie struggled early in the season but has remained inspired thanks to last spring’s Sweet 16 run with North Carolina State. She also been lifted by Wolfpack head coach Kay Yow, who battled breast cancer as her team battled into the NCAAs.
“Everyday I still play for coach Yow,” said Goring. “My nails are pink, my phone is pink, with everything I’m always pink.”
Goring had three points, two rebounds, an assist, a block and a steal in 12 minutes in Washington’s win over Houston last week, but she was left inactivate, in favor of Leuchanka, for Saturday’s game against Detroit.
“I told her, ‘It wasn’t that you’re not doing well or not doing what we’re asking,’” said Rollins, equating the decision to the flip of a coin. “’It’s that we’ve to give the other person achance.’ Each night I’m going to mess up the decision.”
Storm (12-11) at Mystics (9-12)
» When: Tonight, 7
» Where: Verizon Center
» Radio: 1260 AM
