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NBC Sports
3 days ago
- Sport
- NBC Sports
Atlanta Dream off to hot start under new coach Karl Smesko and play of Allisha Gray
NEW YORK — The Atlanta Dream made a lot of moves in the offseason, hiring Karl Smesko from Florida Gulf Coast and bringing in Brittney Griner and Brionna Jones to complement Rhyne Howard and Allisha Gray. So far the moves have paid off as the Dream have the third best record in the league behind Minnesota and New York. Atlanta (8-3) is off to one of the franchise's best marks through 11 games since coming into the league as an expansion team in 2008. The 2016 team also won eight of its first 11 games but then went on to drop its next six games. Gray has flourished in Smesko's system, shooting a career-high 51% from the field including 42% from behind the 3-point line. She earned the league's Eastern Conference Player of the Month for May. 'I think it's the offense and just finding my shots,' Gray said. 'I feel like Karl puts in an offense and the way he pays attention to the details and really helps me. Tells me if I'm open shoot the ball. Instills that confidence in me, that's been a big part of my success.' Griner came to the team as a free agent after spending the first 11 seasons with Phoenix after the Mercury drafted her No. 1 in 2013. With so much talent around her she doesn't feel like she has to shoulder the load every night for the Dream to win. In a 33-point victory over Washington, she took just four shots. The game before, a rout of Chicago, the 6-foot-8 star took only three shot attempts. 'Before you know if I only took three shots in the game it's a loss. Here you look up and we're beating a team by 25,' she said at practice. 'It just takes so much pressure off of me.' Power poll rankings New York and Minnesota both suffered their first losses of the season and the Lynx passed the Liberty for the top spot in the poll. Atlanta moved up to third with Phoenix and Seattle the next two. Indiana was sixth with Golden State behind them. Las Vegas, Los Angeles and Washington were next. Chicago, Connecticut and Dallas rounded out the poll. Paint the line orange The WNBA launched a new initiative aiming to bring the women's professional game closer to communities by painting the official WNBA 3-point line on park basketball courts across the country. It was debuted in New York at a park in Brooklyn. 'I'm excited about what this initiative means in terms of access and representation,' said WNBA Head of League Operations Bethany Donaphin, who grew up in New York. 'I think it's just further evidence of the way that we want to be able to connect with young girls who are inspired by the WNBA.' Player of the week Gray earned Player of the Week honors for the second time this season. The Dream wing averaged 23.3 points, six rebounds and 4.3 assists to help the team go 3-0 on the week. Other players receiving consideration were Napheesa Collier of Minnesota, Sabrina Ionescu of New York, Caitlin Clark of Indiana and Satou Sabally of Phoenix. Game of the week Indiana at Las Vegas. With Clark back in the lineup, the Fever continue a western trip in Las Vegas. It's unclear if A'ja Wilson will be back for the game as the Aces' star is in concussion protocol.
Hamilton Spectator
3 days ago
- Sport
- Hamilton Spectator
Atlanta Dream off to hot start under new coach Karl Smesko and play of Allisha Gray
NEW YORK (AP) — The Atlanta Dream made a lot of moves in the offseason, hiring Karl Smesko from Florida Gulf Coast and bringing in Brittney Griner and Brionna Jones to complement Rhyne Howard and Allisha Gray. So far the moves have paid off as the Dream have the third best record in the league behind Minnesota and New York. Atlanta (8-3) is off to one of the franchise's best marks through 11 games since coming into the league as an expansion team in 2008. The 2016 team also won eight of its first 11 games but then went on to drop its next six games. Gray has flourished in Smesko's system, shooting a career-high 51% from the field including 42% from behind the 3-point line. She earned the league's Eastern Conference Player of the Month for May. 'I think it's the offense and just finding my shots,' Gray said. 'I feel like Karl puts in an offense and the way he pays attention to the details and really helps me. Tells me if I'm open shoot the ball. Instills that confidence in me, that's been a big part of my success.' Griner came to the team as a free agent after spending the first 11 seasons with Phoenix after the Mercury drafted her No. 1 in 2013. With so much talent around her she doesn't feel like she has to shoulder the load every night for the Dream to win. In a 33-point victory over Washington on Sunday, she took just four shots. The game before, a rout of Chicago, the 6-foot-8 star took only three shot attempts. 'Before you know if I only took three shots in the game it's a loss. Here you look up and we're beating a team by 25,' she said at practice Monday. 'It just takes so much pressure off of me.' Power poll rankings New York and Minnesota both suffered their first losses of the season last week and the Lynx passed the Liberty for the top spot in the poll. Atlanta moved up to third with Phoenix and Seattle the next two. Indiana was sixth with Golden State behind them. Las Vegas, Los Angeles and Washington were next. Chicago, Connecticut and Dallas rounded out the poll. Paint the line orange The WNBA launched a new initiative last week aiming to bring the women's professional game closer to communities by painting the official WNBA 3-point line on park basketball courts across the country. It was debuted in New York on Thursday at a park in Brooklyn. 'I'm excited about what this initiative means in terms of access and representation,' said WNBA Head of League Operations Bethany Donaphin, who grew up in New York. 'I think it's just further evidence of the way that we want to be able to connect with young girls who are inspired by the WNBA.' Player of the week Gray earned Player of the Week honors for the second time this season. The Dream wing averaged 23.3 points, six rebounds and 4.3 assists to help the team go 3-0 on the week. Other players receiving consideration were Napheesa Collier of Minnesota, Sabrina Ionescu of New York, Caitlin Clark of Indiana and Satou Sabally of Phoenix. Game of the week Indiana at Las Vegas, Sunday. With Clark back in the lineup, the Fever continue a western trip in Las Vegas. It's unclear if A'ja Wilson will be back for the game as the Aces' star is in concussion protocol. ___ AP WNBA:
Fox Sports
3 days ago
- Sport
- Fox Sports
Atlanta Dream off to hot start under new coach Karl Smesko and play of Allisha Gray
Associated Press NEW YORK (AP) — The Atlanta Dream made a lot of moves in the offseason, hiring Karl Smesko from Florida Gulf Coast and bringing in Brittney Griner and Brionna Jones to complement Rhyne Howard and Allisha Gray. So far the moves have paid off as the Dream have the third best record in the league behind Minnesota and New York. Atlanta (8-3) is off to one of the franchise's best marks through 11 games since coming into the league as an expansion team in 2008. The 2016 team also won eight of its first 11 games but then went on to drop its next six games. Gray has flourished in Smesko's system, shooting a career-high 51% from the field including 42% from behind the 3-point line. She earned the league's Eastern Conference Player of the Month for May. 'I think it's the offense and just finding my shots,' Gray said. 'I feel like Karl puts in an offense and the way he pays attention to the details and really helps me. Tells me if I'm open shoot the ball. Instills that confidence in me, that's been a big part of my success.' Griner came to the team as a free agent after spending the first 11 seasons with Phoenix after the Mercury drafted her No. 1 in 2013. With so much talent around her she doesn't feel like she has to shoulder the load every night for the Dream to win. In a 33-point victory over Washington on Sunday, she took just four shots. The game before, a rout of Chicago, the 6-foot-8 star took only three shot attempts. 'Before you know if I only took three shots in the game it's a loss. Here you look up and we're beating a team by 25,' she said at practice Monday. 'It just takes so much pressure off of me.' Power poll rankings New York and Minnesota both suffered their first losses of the season last week and the Lynx passed the Liberty for the top spot in the poll. Atlanta moved up to third with Phoenix and Seattle the next two. Indiana was sixth with Golden State behind them. Las Vegas, Los Angeles and Washington were next. Chicago, Connecticut and Dallas rounded out the poll. Paint the line orange The WNBA launched a new initiative last week aiming to bring the women's professional game closer to communities by painting the official WNBA 3-point line on park basketball courts across the country. It was debuted in New York on Thursday at a park in Brooklyn. 'I'm excited about what this initiative means in terms of access and representation,' said WNBA Head of League Operations Bethany Donaphin, who grew up in New York. 'I think it's just further evidence of the way that we want to be able to connect with young girls who are inspired by the WNBA.' Player of the week Gray earned Player of the Week honors for the second time this season. The Dream wing averaged 23.3 points, six rebounds and 4.3 assists to help the team go 3-0 on the week. Other players receiving consideration were Napheesa Collier of Minnesota, Sabrina Ionescu of New York, Caitlin Clark of Indiana and Satou Sabally of Phoenix. Game of the week Indiana at Las Vegas, Sunday. With Clark back in the lineup, the Fever continue a western trip in Las Vegas. It's unclear if A'ja Wilson will be back for the game as the Aces' star is in concussion protocol. ___ AP WNBA: recommended
Winnipeg Free Press
3 days ago
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Atlanta Dream off to hot start under new coach Karl Smesko and play of Allisha Gray
NEW YORK (AP) — The Atlanta Dream made a lot of moves in the offseason, hiring Karl Smesko from Florida Gulf Coast and bringing in Brittney Griner and Brionna Jones to complement Rhyne Howard and Allisha Gray. So far the moves have paid off as the Dream have the third best record in the league behind Minnesota and New York. Atlanta (8-3) is off to one of the franchise's best marks through 11 games since coming into the league as an expansion team in 2008. The 2016 team also won eight of its first 11 games but then went on to drop its next six games. Gray has flourished in Smesko's system, shooting a career-high 51% from the field including 42% from behind the 3-point line. She earned the league's Eastern Conference Player of the Month for May. 'I think it's the offense and just finding my shots,' Gray said. 'I feel like Karl puts in an offense and the way he pays attention to the details and really helps me. Tells me if I'm open shoot the ball. Instills that confidence in me, that's been a big part of my success.' Griner came to the team as a free agent after spending the first 11 seasons with Phoenix after the Mercury drafted her No. 1 in 2013. With so much talent around her she doesn't feel like she has to shoulder the load every night for the Dream to win. In a 33-point victory over Washington on Sunday, she took just four shots. The game before, a rout of Chicago, the 6-foot-8 star took only three shot attempts. 'Before you know if I only took three shots in the game it's a loss. Here you look up and we're beating a team by 25,' she said at practice Monday. 'It just takes so much pressure off of me.' Power poll rankings New York and Minnesota both suffered their first losses of the season last week and the Lynx passed the Liberty for the top spot in the poll. Atlanta moved up to third with Phoenix and Seattle the next two. Indiana was sixth with Golden State behind them. Las Vegas, Los Angeles and Washington were next. Chicago, Connecticut and Dallas rounded out the poll. Paint the line orange The WNBA launched a new initiative last week aiming to bring the women's professional game closer to communities by painting the official WNBA 3-point line on park basketball courts across the country. It was debuted in New York on Thursday at a park in Brooklyn. 'I'm excited about what this initiative means in terms of access and representation,' said WNBA Head of League Operations Bethany Donaphin, who grew up in New York. 'I think it's just further evidence of the way that we want to be able to connect with young girls who are inspired by the WNBA.' Player of the week Gray earned Player of the Week honors for the second time this season. The Dream wing averaged 23.3 points, six rebounds and 4.3 assists to help the team go 3-0 on the week. Other players receiving consideration were Napheesa Collier of Minnesota, Sabrina Ionescu of New York, Caitlin Clark of Indiana and Satou Sabally of Phoenix. Game of the week Indiana at Las Vegas, Sunday. With Clark back in the lineup, the Fever continue a western trip in Las Vegas. It's unclear if A'ja Wilson will be back for the game as the Aces' star is in concussion protocol. ___ AP WNBA:
Indianapolis Star
3 days ago
- Sport
- Indianapolis Star
Homers, gems and steals: Vote for 2025 IndyStar high school softball player of the year
IndyStar has been recognizing the top softball players in Indiana with our Players of the Week poll. With the season now complete, we've decided to run a Player of the Year poll. Obviously, it's impossible to get every deserving player on here, but we did our best, compiling a list of 27 players from around the state (like I said, it's a really difficult list to narrow down). Thanks to everyone who's nominated players and participated in these weekly polls. The participation was crazy this spring. Stay tuned for our Central Indiana all-underclassmen and ALL-USA Super Team teams, which will be out later this month. Congratulations to Floyd Central's Addy Ware on being voted Player of the Week for Sectionals! The Florida State commit had herself a game in the sectional semifinal vs. Bedford North Lawrence, going 3-for-4 with four runs and three RBIs. She tripled twice and stole a base in the 16-2 win. Voting is open until 2 p.m. EST, Friday. Meet this season's top performers: The Indiana commit batted .477 and posted a .550 OBP for the sectional champion Knights. Bruggenschmidt totaled 41 hits (12 doubles, four homers), 34 runs and 25 RBIs, and swiped three bases. She was charged with a career-low six errors in the field, boasting a .929 fielding percentage with three double plays. The Gatorade Indiana Player of the Year led the Panthers to the state semifinals, batting .659 with 56 hits, 53 RBIs and 59 runs scored. Her hits included 21 homers, eight triples and 15 doubles. Erb, a Kentucky commit, also stole 18 bases and posted a .937 fielding percentage on 79 chances with two double plays. The Duke commit was excellent in her first season back with the Millers, batting .544 with 43 hits, 23 RBIs, 35 runs and only three strikeouts. She logged 11 doubles, tripled once and homered thrice for the sectional champions, stole 15 bases and turned three double plays in the field. More: 'If you were coached by him, you knew what love was.' Noblesville softball honors assistant's memory A Miss Softball finalist, Geyer surpassed Keagan Rothrock as the state's all-time strikeouts leader with 1,096 punchouts in her four varsity seasons. 228 of those Ks came this season for the Western Michigan commit, who finished 17-3 with a 1.17 ERA (18 earned runs allowed) and a measly .110 average against. Geyer also batted .444, accumulating 40 hits (12 doubles, one triple, five homers), 37 RBIs and 16 runs scored. More: Meet the five finalists for 2025 Indiana Miss Softball The Cadets' leading hitter, Gruca batted .516 with 49 hits, 21 RBIs and 30 runs scored. She boasted a .539 OBP, stole 10 bases and recorded 35 assists plus a double play in the field. Gruca is a career .461 hitter with 159 hits, 138 runs and 76 RBIs. Helton spun a 1.36 ERA with 155 strikeouts over 113 innings for the sectional runner-up Eagles. She also batted .411 with 30 hits, 29 RBIs, and 13 runs scored. She doubled seven times and homered seven times. 'I love this team': Emma Vargo wouldn't allow dislocated shoulder to keep her from postseason. Hirschy capped her high school career with a breakout season for the regional champion Dragons, setting career-highs across the board with a .533 average, 51 runs, 56 hits, 45 RBIs, 11 doubles, two triples and 12 homers. She struck out just 11 times, drew 12 walks and posted a .587 OBP, a vast improvement over last season (.452). The Kentucky commit also stole four bases. The Virginia Tech-bound Layton capped her decorated career with a similarly impressive senior season. She was 16-4 in the circle, posting a 1.48 ERA and totaling 265 strikeouts (two off her career-high) over 132.1 innings pitched. She graduated with 811 career Ks and a 1.06 ERA, plus a .469 batting average, 120 hits, 142 RBIs and 20 home runs. She had 50-plus RBIs and seven homers in both her final two seasons. Liezert was brilliant in her first season as the 4A state champion Bulldogs' primary ace, finishing 19-2 with a 0.85 ERA and 293 strikeouts over 139.2 innings pitched. She allowed just 17 earned runs and maximized her opportunities at the plate, going 7-for-15 (.467) with two doubles, a homer and 10 RBIs. The state's all-time hits leader and single-season record holder for Tecumseh, Marx batted .561 for the season with 64 hits, 47 runs, 15 RBIs and 26 steals on 26 attempts. The Miss Softball finalist and Southern Indiana signee led Tecumseh softball to three state titles plus last year's runner-up finish in her four varsity seasons. Class A final: She's in a wheelchair — and now a state champ: 'We're so thankful she's part of this program' Moore was critical to the Irish's 3A title run, batting .450 with 45 hits, 46 runs and 38 RBIs. She slugged a career-high seven homers, tripled twice and doubled eight times, and stole a career-best 16 bases on 16 attempts. Moore was nearly perfect in the field, committing just two errors and turning nine double plays. The Purdue commit finished her career with a .518 average, 108 RBIs and 15 homers. 'I know he's with me': Moore remembers late father after leading Cathedral softball to state Munson, an IU Indy commit, enjoyed an explosive senior campaign for the state runner-up Trojans, totaling 54 hits (.486 average, three triples, three doubles), 40 runs and 17 RBIs. A career .449 hitter (123 hits, 96 runs), she also stole a school-record 35 bases (76 career), and registered two assists and 49 putouts on 52 chances in the field. From Regionals: Mae Munson's nerves were 'shot.' But after game-altering defensive play, 'she was golden' The future Ohio State Buckeye and Miss Softball finalist batted .588 (50 hits) with 33 runs, a couple doubles and eight RBIs. Neal, also state medalist in track, is a career .480 hitter with 153 hits, 114 runs scored, 35 RBIs and a paltry 22 strikeouts in 345 plate appearances. More: How a conversation her sophomore year helped Izzy Neal bat nearly .600 as a senior The move-in shined in her first and only season as a Raider, posting a 2.58 ERA with 117 strikeouts over 81.1 innings against one of the state's most difficult schedules. The East Central recruit allowed just four home runs and shutout a potent Noblesville lineup in the regional. Have to lead the East Carolina commit's write-up with what she did during this year's Class A state tournament. She pitched every inning of every postseason game, striking out 108 batters and allowing just 11 hits. She and the Spartans closed the year with nine consecutive shutouts, including a two-hitter in the finale vs. Clay City. Wow. For the season: 22-1, 0.35 ERA (eight earned runs allowed, 10 total), 373 strikeouts, 23 walks, .083 OBA, .129 OBP For her career: 58-8, 0.48 ERA, 1,068 strikeouts, 69 walks, .109 OBA, .154 OBP Rainford was also a career .414 hitter with 125 hits, 68 RBIs, 111 runs and eight homers. The record-setting Auburn commit completed her high school career with a fittingly explosive senior campaign, batting .495 with 47 hits, 12 home runs, 15 doubles, a triple, 25 runs, 38 RBIs and a .588 OBP. She blew by Bremen grad Erin Coffel's all-time home run record (69), finished second in state history with 179 career RBIs and set a school record with 195 hits. She did all this while maintaining a .515 batting average. The Northwestern commit followed a stellar junior (and sophomore) campaign with a brilliant senior season. She batted .510 with 49 hits (seven doubles, three triples, one homer) and totaled 42 runs, 17 RBIs and a .565 OBP, with only five strikeouts. Renschen also stole 36 bases, leaving her with 96 for her career, and was perfect in the field (nine putouts, 36 assists). She finished her career with a .515 average, 158 hits and 141 runs. The state's latest rising star in the circle, Seiler capped an explosive postseason run with a one-hit, 13-K shutout of Andrean in the 2A state final. For the tournament, she pitched 40 innings and allowed zero runs on eight hits with 72 strikeouts. For the season, Seiler went 18-2 with a 0.76 ERA (14 earned runs allowed), 240 strikeouts and a .129 batting average against over 129 innings. She allowed just 57 hits and issued only 10 walks. Sinders led the Eels back to state, compiling a 14-5 record with a 1.74 ERA and 197 strikeouts over 137 innings pitched. She held hitters to a career-best .169 batting average against, and finished her career with 49 wins, a 1.60 ERA and 612 Ks. The Taylor commit also batted .469 (45 hits), scored 23 runs, drove in 15 and smacked her second career homer. Sinders was a career .447 hitter. 'It all means so much': Lizzy Sinders caps Clay City career at state with dad as coach, sister as AD. Stieneker, a Miss Softball finalist, set career-highs in average (.582), runs (52), hits (57), RBIs (49), doubles (20), triples (3), home runs (14) and stolen bases (8). She did her damage across 120 plate appearances (98 at-bats), and did so while striking out just nine times. The Marshall commit finished her career with a .459 average, 174 hits, 121 runs, 154 RBIs , 49 doubles and 29 homers. The two-sport standout sparked Hanover Central's run to the 3A final, setting career-highs in average (.522), hits (47), runs (21), RBIs (54), doubles (11), triples (1) and home runs (17). She maintained a .613 OBP and posted a career-best .984 fielding percentage, committing just four errors on 248 chances (19 assists, two double plays). One of the state's top arms, Grace Swedarsky continued to do Grace Swedarsky things this spring. The Virginia Tech commit compiled a 12-5 record with a 1.37 ERA and 197 strikeouts in 107.1 innings. She matched her career-low with 21 earned runs allowed and limited opposing hitters to a .156 batting average against. Swedarsky enters her senior year with 42 wins and 709 strikeouts for her career. Valentine, an Evansville commit, batted .552 for the 3A state champions, collecting a career-high 53 hits, 44 runs and 54 RBIs. She upped her power numbers this spring, cranking seven doubles, nine triples and nine homers, leaving her with a 1.094 slugging percentage. Valentine, who also stole a career-high 22 bases (60 career), finished her career with a .466 average, 164 hits, 164 RBIs and 23 homers. The Saint Mary's commit closed out her four-year high school career in style, batting .494 with 38 hits (nine doubles), 31 runs and 26 RBIs — all career-highs. She also stole 10 bases and logged outs on 47-of-50 chances in the field with one double play. For her career, Voliva hit .380 with 102 runs, 32 doubles and 124 hits. The third-year speedster swiped 28 bases this spring, leaving her with 105 entering her senior season. She registered 43 putouts and 28 assists (three double plays) in the field and remained a formidable presence at the plate, batting .471 with 49 hits, 45 runs, 18 RBIs, nine doubles, six triples and two homers. 'Her leg is literally snapped in half.' Bump in the road to becoming one of state's top softball players A Notre Dame commit and Miss Softball finalist, Zachary had a career year at the plate, batting .543 with 50 hits, 62 RBIs and 46 runs. Her collection of hits included 10 doubles, four triples and eight homers, and she finished her four seasons with a .482 average (196 hits, 169 runs, 174 RBIs, 20 homers). Zachary also stole 22 bases (79 career) and was charged with just one error on 54 chances in the field. Humphries enjoyed whatever the opposite of a sophomore slump is in 2025. She was 18-1 with a 0.94 ERA and 160 strikeouts in the circle (111.1 innings pitched) and batted .560 with 42 hits (four doubles, two triples, two homers), 28 RBIs and 11 runs at the plate for the regional champions.
