Fever Face Dream in Elimination Game Tonight; Mitchell Nets 1st Team All-WNBA

 FEVER LOOK  TO BATTLE BACK AFTER FALLING DOWN 1-0 IN 1ST ROUND SERIES VS ATL  

MITCHELL GARNERS 1ST TEAM ALL WNBA HONORS 

 

Atlanta C Britney Griner shoots over Fever 

By Deon Cash

The Indiana Fever will look to bounce back tonight in game 2 of the WNBA Playoffs. 

Facing a 1-0 deficit to Atlanta after a 80-68 loss Sunday, the Fever need to strategize effectively to keep their hopes alive. They started fast, held a early lead and lost it in the 2nd quarter, where the Dream took control of the game and never let up.

Their game 2 performance will be critical after the tough loss in Atlanta, putting them in a challenging position. 

 Without star guard Caitlin Clark, the Fever have settled into their roles and have played some top tier hoops.

 However tonight, the team must depend on others to elevate their game a little more to stay alive.  

Kelsey Mitchell, an 1st Team All-WNBA star, dropped 27 and provided the scoring prowess in the previous game, giving the Fever a glimmer of hope for a turnaround in game two. Mitchell was named 1st Team All-WNBA for the great season she put together.  

Gainbridge Fieldhouse will be rocking with the great home team fan base as the Fever led attendance once again this season.

 But ultimately, this game will come down to the Fevers ability to stop Rhyne Howard, Alisia Gray, and neutralize Britney Griner and the inside presence of the ATL as they did when they defeated the Dream earlier in the season.

The game will tip off tonight at 730pm ET. 

Follow Dayton 24-7 Now  & S.E.Live365 for complete WNBA coverage throughout the Playoffs 

Dunbar Grad Readies for New Role With Buckeye Football Team This Season

 PATRICK LOOKS TO CONTINUE DEFENSIVE DOMINANCE WITH BUCKEYES THIS SEASON

By Deon Cash 

The Ohio State Football team welcomes back Miguel Patrick, who returns as an defensive assistant coach & quality coordinator after a tenure at Alabama Birmingham that lasted two seasons. 

His familiarity with the program's defensive strategies and how the program runs on the defensive side will be invaluable this season. 

Ryan Day and the coaching staff anticipates a seamless transition as he rejoins the team. 

Patrick, who was a Dunbar Wolverine star athlete before he went and played at Alabama State, has won 2 High School State Championships as a assistant and 1 more as a head coach.

 Patrick won a title in his first year at the helm, which would help catapult him to a college opportunity a few years ago.

His expertise will undoubtedly elevate the performance of the defensive unit. The team is poised for a successful season with his guidance on that side despite having changes every year.

Last year he had the privy of working with a All-League selection who is now with the Indianapolis Colts.

Patrick is very excited and focused on the task at hand: 

Keeping the Buckeyes on the brink of another National Championship.

Here's what Patrick said about his job and why he came back to Ohio State:

"I came back because of the opportunity to work with this great staff. It’s a lot of NFL experience on our defensive staff now and my goal is just to become the best coach I can be."

All eyes will be on the defense this weekend as they take on the #1 ranked Texas Longhorns who strut into town with Heisman hopeful QB Arch Manning and their title hopes on full display. 

The game will start at noon tomorrow on Fox Sports. 

One thing is for certain: Patrick will have the #3 Buckeyes D-line ready to run through a wall. Or a offensive line from Texas. 

Good luck to Patrick and the Buckeyes defense this season.

Follow Miguel Patrick, Ohio State Football,  and S.E.Live365 on the journey this season.

Mitchell Sets Record on Career Night, Hoists Fever to Win; Cunningham Out For Season

 Mitchell Sets Fever Record on Career Night, Hoists Fever to Win; Cunningham Out For Season; Face Lynx Friday Night  

 

Kelsey Mitchell Sets Team Record vs Sun

 

By Deon Cash 

Kelsey Mitchell,  who has already had some high scoring games this season, was having a off half, as she scored only 4 points in the first half of the previous game against the Connecticut Sun. 

However in the second half, Mitchell showed the Sun and the entire WNBA how dynamic she can be, as she dropped 26 points in the 2nd half and 8 key points in overtime to propel the Fever to another key win. 

In a game that looked like the Fever were going to lose, both team hit huge shots late to survive in a game that watched another key player (Sophie Cunningham) go down with a season ending injury to boot. 

After a clutch bucket by Aliyah Boston to tie the game, the Fever would stop Connecticut and get the ball on the last play in regular time. They would falter on the inbound play, sending it to overtime.

 In OT the Fever took over in OT with a Mitchell 3 followed by 2 more crucial baskets, which tied her career high and set a new record for most 30 point games in Fever history, passing Hall of Famer Tamika Catchings in the process. 

Lexy Hull hit a "Nail in the Coffin" three to secure the win for Indy and send them to a 19-16 record. 

Lexy Hull Dagger 3 vs Sun 

The Fever still sit in the 5 spot after that big win. But now they will be without a huge leader in Cunningham, who did all of the dirty work along with being a elite sniper this season. 

She joins Caitlin Clark,  Sydney Colson, & Aari Mcdonald as casualties this season and being the NBA social media queen of sorts. 

 Colson, Mcdonald and Cunningham all have season ending injuries while Clark's injury could hold her out for the rest of the year. 

Aliyah Boston had a double double to continue her consistent play along with a clutch bucket late, and Natasha Howard also scored double figures. 

Marina Mabrey led the Sun with 27 points in the loss. 

Mitchell showed why she could be considered for 1st team All-WNBA this year, and could be on the list for MVP consideration. She is the top scorer in the WNBA this year. Without her, the Fever would be below .500, especially with Clark missing most of the season. 

Mitchell in the MVP Race? 

 

FEVER TAKE ON LEAGUE LEADING MINNESOTA  FRIDAY NIGHT 

 The Fever are at home taking on league leading Minnesota as they continue their quest for another big win against a championship caliber opponent.

This will be a huge test as the Fever try to move into the 3-4 spot and possibly host a 1st round series. However the schedule gets tough, so hopefully the Fever can get on a winning streak going into the playoffs. 

Follow Dayton 24-7 Now & S.E.Live365 on the coverage of the Indiana Fever all WNBA season long.

Fever Win 5th Straight as They Stop Seattle on Road

 FEVER HOT STREAK REACHES 5 AS THEY HOLD OFF SEATTLE ON THE ROAD; FACE L.A. NEXT 

 By Deon Cash                                                              Beat Writer (Dayton 24-7 Now) 

The Indiana Fever won their 5th straight game as they knocked off Seattle on the road in a tight game 78-74. 

Natasha Howard was the star of the night for Indy, as she dropped 22 points, while Sophie Cunningham (17 pts) had another hot shooting night and continued her elite play.

Aliyah Boston, who has been the most consistent player for the Fever all season, dropped her 6th Straight double double of the season (16 pts, 12 reb). 

In a game that was tight pretty much the entire game, the Fever was able to grab a lead going into halftime. 

The Fever would go on a 10-4 run to end the half as Cunningham (10 pts) and Howard (12 pts) would give the Fever a 42-34 lead at half. 

The Storm would rally back, as they had four ladies in double figures, lead by Ogwumike (16), Williams (12), Diggins (13), and Malonga (12).

The Fever held a 72-61 lead untila big rally turned a easy road win into a dogfight. In a game that went down to the wire, Kelsey Mitchell, who had a off game, came up with a couple of clutch buckets to give Fever lead late 77-74. 

 The Storm would have a chance to tie or take the lead, but the final shot was missed and Boston would seal the deal with a rebound and make the crucial free throw to end the game.

With the win the Fever continue to inch closer to a higher seed. Before the winning streak the Fever were a 7 seed clinging to a spot. Now they sit securely in the 5 spot, which is literally 1.5 games from the 2nd seed.  Seattle falls to 16-13. 

UP NEXT: L.A. in Los Angeles 

The Fever will face the L.A. Sparks in L.A. tonight as they try to run it up for a 6th straight time. 

Cameron Brink is back for the Sparks, Rickea Jackson is coming off a game winning shot, and Kelsey Plum has been playing lights out. This will be a great test for the Fever. 

Follow the Fever, Dayton 24-7 Now, and S.E.Live365 for more content on the WNBA all season long.

Mitchell Sets Team Record in Road Win Over Sky; Face Phoenix Next

 MITCHELL HAS ANOTHER "CAREER NIGHT" AGAINST SKY AS FEVER MOVE TO 14-12 

By Deon Cash 

Kelsey Mitchell, one of the top scorers in the WNBA, put on a show in Chicago as the Fever rolled to a big road win against their division rivals.

Mitchell, the 3rd leading scorer in the WNBA, dropped 35 points in less than 30 minutes as Indiana stopped Chicago in the "Windy City." Mitchell has been playing at a 1st Team All-WNBA level all season. What she did was a team record.

Mitchell started hot (hitting 3 bombs in the 1st) and never turned off, leading the Fever in a game where a couple of other starters had off nights. Natasha Howard (0 pts) and Sophie Cunningham (5 pts), two starters who have been playing lights out for almost a month straight, was cold on the night offensively.

With Chicago being shorthanded, the Sky jumped out to a 5-0 lead. After that, the Fever took control early and never let the Sky regain control of the lead again. 

The Sky would battle and make a run,  actually cutting it to a 2-point lead (3rd quarter). However, Mitchell and the Fever rebuttaled every run by the Sky. 

SKY GROUNDED WITH INJURIES 

Without the services of All-Star Angel Reese, Courtney Vandersloot, Ariel Atkins and rookie Haley Van Lith, the Sky weren't able to get any consistent rhythm going on offense. Once they did, it was too late, as the Fever had already maintained control of the game. The Sky had a early lead, and once they lost it, they never recovered.

G Rachel Banham led the Sky with 26 points on the night. Dayton native and Fairmont grad Maddy Westbeld had 4 points and some solid play coming off the bench for the Sky.

FEVER STATS 

While Mitchell cooked the Sky all night, she did have help.

Rookie Makayla Timpson had her best game of her career, with 14 points and 4 rebounds. Aliyah Boston continued to be "Ms Consistent" with another double double (15pts, 11 reb, 6 dimes). Lexy Hull had a nice all-around game while Aari Mcdonald continued her rock solid play (10 pts, 4 dimes). 

With the win the Fever move to 14-12, as they sit in the 6 spot in the WNBA playoff standings. They are only 2 games away from being out of the playoff spot, so every game is crucial at this point. 

CLARK FACTOR: NO TIMETABLE FOR RETURN 

While it remains to be seen when Clark will be back, the Fever was able to find a way to get it done without her. They are 6-7 without Clark, while they are 8-5 with her. Clark is a dynamic player and while Aari Mcdonald is doing a great job of running the team, Clark offers a diverse style which should suit the Fever come playoff time. Regardless, Clark should not come back until she is fully healed. 

NEXT GAME: VS PHOENIX (16-9) 

In a game that will be intense to say the least, the Mercury travel to Indy to battle the Fever. They are sitting in the third spot overall and have taken off with the arrival of DeWanna Bonner, who abruptly left Indy earlier in the season and landed in Phoenix. 

Follow Indiana Fever at:  

Www.Dayton247now.com   @Dayton247now  

S.E.Live365 Brand 

  Deon Cash is a Independent Beat Writer for Dayton 24-7 Now & Host of Rising Sports Show & Brand S.E.Live365. 

Www.SELive365.com   @SELive365 

Fever Fest Set as "Cedric The Entertainer," The Kid Laroi, Leslie Jones Headline Star Studded Show; All-Star Watch Party to Follow

Cedric the Entertainer, Deon Cole, The Kid Laroi Headline Inagural Fever Fest 

By Deon Cash 

With the WNBA All Star game in Indy this year, the Inagural Fever Fest will be featuring some of the biggest stars in the country this weekend in Indianapolis.  

On the 19th of July, the Fever Fest will unleash some of the best comedic and musical talent in the world in preparation of a huge WNBA All-Star weekend.  

Deon Cole, a rising star, will be hosting a star studded event. 

Here are some of the elite artists and comedians that will be featured at Fever Fest:  

Cedric the Entertainer  - Legendary Comedian 

The Kid Laroi  - Star Artist 

Leslie Jones  - Celebrity Comedian

Aida Rodriguez - Star Comedian

G Easy  - Star Artist 

BIA  - Star Artist  

Sydney Colson - Comedian 

There will also be a WNBA All-Star watch party after the showcase, which will be a whole vibe in itself. That will begin immediately after the show and will last through the All-Star game. 

And did we forget to mention that Fever G Sydney Colson will be performing her first ever stand up comedy show at the Fever Fest? 

That will be something you dont want to miss. 

With this Star studded lineup, the Everwise Amphitheater at the White River State Park is the place to be on Saturday,  July 19th (5pm-10pm).

Tickets are still available at FeverFestival.com 

People are expecting a sold out event, so grab your tickets in advance. 

  

Andre Yates, Xander Smart to Be Featered on 50 Years of Dayton Hoops Today; Yates Talks "State Winning Shot"

 STATE CLINCHING "SHOT MAKER" TO BE FEATURED ON 50 YEARS OF DAYTON HOOPS  

By Deon Cash 

Andre Yates, an OHSAA State Champion in hoops and the guy who made the "Game Winning Shot" in the Title Game, will be on 50 Years of Dayton Hoops today  (11am - ABC)  

Yates guided the Dunbar Wolverines to a state championship in the 2010 era.

Yates Talks about that historic moment, the amazing team he played on, who influenced him, his relationship with coaches Mark Baker and Perter Pullen, and more. 

COMMITTED TO MY CRAFT CEO TO TALK ON 50 YEARS OF DAYTON HOOPS

Xander Smart, the owner of the highly successful organization Committed To My Craft, is set to be featured on 50 Years of Dayton Hoops today.

Smart, who is one of the elite trainers in Ohio and in the country, talks about the success his organization has had in the Kingdom Summer League,  which is hosted in Columbus. 

His organization has won the championship 3 years in a row, which has never been done before.

Check out the exclusive interview on ABC at 11am today.

The replay of 50 Years of Dayton Hoops will be on YouTube and Spotify tomorrow.