NFL
May 10 – The Valkyries are giving the league a glimpse of their offseason work with their 2-0 start. With eight active players, GSV battled against the Phoenix Mercury and secured the win in their home opener, 95-79.
Cecilia Zandalasini (concussion) and Tiffany Hayes (dislocated pinkie) were sidelined from injuries they endured during game one in Seattle.
As expected, the Mercury and GSV went back-and-forth in scoring, but GSV outscored PHX 31-11 in the 2nd quarter. They headed into halftime leading 48-31.
The roles reversed in the third quarter. Golden State found themselves giving up 31 points in the third quarter. They had 14 points in the paint and four triples, cutting their lead to six points.
Fourth Quarter Frenzy
Laeticia Amihere stepped up defensively in the fourth quarter and helped lead the Valkyries to victory. She had two of her three total blocks in the 4th, and made herself a nuisance for DeWanna Bonner in the post. Amihere ended the night +33.
“She came in gave us a spark. Her defense, her rebounding, her being able to put the ball on the floor,” Kayla Thornton said. “We really emphasized that she’s gonna have to be a really big part of our five and being a post presence for us at this moment, she’s accepted that.”
Janelle Salaün hit a much-needed triple to extend their lead to 76-70. Her three started the Valkyries’ 10-0 run, which Phoenix could not climb back from. Salaün led the team in scoring for the second game with 21 points off the bench.
The media room was curious about why Salaün continues to come off the bench when her offensive presence is clearly needed to spark the team. When asked about the starting five and maybe changing things up, Natalie Nakase said, “To me, starting doesn’t matter; it’s how you finish…If you guys think about it does the first minute more important than the last minute? To me, no. Every possession matters, every minute matters.”
Veronica Burton also ended the game with 12 assists, 0 turnovers, 13 points, and three rebounds.
There were many factors showcased in this game: the ongoing development of the team’s chemistry, Gabby Williams’ meshing with her new teammates, and Amihere’s growth over the offseason.
Golden State will face the newly updated Chicago Sky on Wednesday evening in Ballhalla. Amihere will face Kamilla Cardoso, another tough big to battle against under the basket. The Sky are coming off a win against the Portland Fire, one of the two new expansion teams for this season.
