McHenry Garners MEAC Rookie of the Week Honor

Chris McHenry has been the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Rookie of the Week after averaging almost 14 points in Howard's four games during that period.

A 5-11, 175-pound freshman guard from Milwaukee, Wisc., McHenry poured in a career-high 29 points against Wyoming in the Duel in the Desert Tournament in Logan, Utah. He connected on 8 of 16 from the field and was a perfect 11 for 11 from the free throw line.

McHenry followed that performance with 18 points against LaSalle University, hitting on 7 of 11 from the field, including a sizzling 4 of 5 from beyond the arc.

For the week, he averaged 2.8 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.3 steals while making good on all 13 of his free throw attempts.

McHenry, who comes off the bench, is currently second on the team in scoring, averaging almost 10 points per game.

(Source: HU Bison)

Mystics Complete Coaches Picks

Washington Mystics Head Coach Julie Plank announced the appointments of assistant coaches Lubomyr “Luby” Lichonczak, Vanessa Nygaard and Vicky Bullett to her coaching staff. Per company policy, terms of the deals were not disclosed.

“I am extremely excited to have these outstanding professionals on staff with me. I have always felt that you are only as good as those around you, and I am very fortunate to be able to surround myself with some special talent,” said Plank. “I am confident that our Mystics players will be able to learn from our quality coaches/teachers, who will work extremely hard to achieve our ultimate goal…a WNBA championship in DC!”

Lichonczak brings 30 years of experience to the Mystics. He spent the last seven seasons as the University of Texas-San Antonio and for the past four years as associate head coach. Lichonczak was the head coach at Radford University for 11 years where he guided his teams to six conference titles and three NCAA tournament appearances. In 1992, he was named the Big South Conference Coach of the Year. Lichonczak has served as an assistant coach at Texas A&M, Old Dominion and Idaho. For the past two years, he was the advance scout for the Indiana Fever and the Minnesota Lynx.


Nygaard joins the Mystics following a season with the San Antonio Silver Stars where she served as an assistant coach and helped guide the team to the 2008 WNBA Finals. She spent four years as an assistant coach with Pepperdine University (2004-2008). Nygaard started her coaching career in 2003 with California State University, Long Beach. Prior to joining the coaching ranks, Nygaard played for six seasons in the WNBA. She attended Stanford University where she helped lead the Cardinal to three Final Four appearances.

Two-time Olympian, Bullett rounds out the Mystics coaching staff. She spent six seasons in the WNBA with the Charlotte Sting and the Mystics, helping lead both teams to a combined five playoff berths before retiring following the 2002 season. Bullett was also named to the 1999 Inaugural All Star team. For the past few years, she has been teaching special education and coaching basketball in her hometown of Martinsburg, West Virginia.

The Washington Mystics will tip off the 2009 season on Saturday, June 6th, on the road against the Connecticut Sun. Washington will host the club’s home opener on Sunday, June 7th, against the Atlanta Dream. Season tickets for the 2009 season are currently on sale and can be purchased by calling the Mystics Sales Office at 1-877-DC-HOOP1 or by visiting the Mystics web site at www.washingtonmystics.com.

Sports Quote of the Day

"If Plaxico Burress hadn't messed up, he (Roland Burris) would have had a shot."

That comes from celebrity snitch, and radio funny man, Huggy Lowdown, on this morning's Tom Joyner Morning Show (TJMS).

Huggy, who gives his witty, comedic commentary on events of the day (or week, week, week) said New York Giants' wide receiver, Plaxico Burress messed things up for Roland Burris, who was pegged to replace President Obama's senate seat.

Even though the two men's last names are spelled differently, that didn't stop Huggy from making his case.

"If Plaxico Burress hadn't messed up, he (Roland Burris) would have had a shot."

(Citing Plaxico messed things up for anyone named Burress, or any variation of said last name).

As you know Plaxico accidentally shot himself in the leg while patronizing a New York City night club last November.

Roland Burris was rejected as the successor to President-elect Barack Obama.

The two men's 'mishaps' have made international attention, and have been material for comedians near and far. To see today's mayhem, click here.

Bucknell Tops Howard

Rookie guard/forward Natalie Day rose to the occasion and scored a game and career-high 20 points in her second start for the Lady Bison. Howard cut a 22-point deficit down to 10 but the freshman's effort was not enough as Bucknell took a 63-53 victory over Howard at Burr Gymnasium on Monday.

Day started for the first time since the season opener in place of Morgan Neal, who did not dress after sustaining an injury versus Colgate last week.

Tamaya Daniels, the second-leading scorer and top rebounder for the Bison, missed most of the second half after injuring her knee in the first stanza. She played just two minutes in the second period and finished with one rebound and two steals in 17 minutes of action.

"Nobody's going to feel sorry for us," Howard coach Niki Reid Geckeler said. "I told the kids [the injuries] are what we have going on and we have to battle through it. They kind of wore us down and hurt us on the glass."

Bucknell had a 42-30 advantage in rebounds. Joyce Novacek had a double-double of 19 points and 14 rebounds to pace BU, who improved to 7-5 with the win.

Zykia Brown added 19 points for Howard, while freshman guard India Bradford had 10 points in 10 minutes off the bench.

Novacek scored six points as Bucknell closed the first half on a 10-0 run to go up 32-19. HU was within 60-49 after slowly chipping away at the lead before Amanda Brown hit a 3-pointer that extended the lead to 14, and Howard was never closer than 10 points the rest of the game.

The Bison (0-12) had 13 turnovers, a season-low, and forced 23 Bucknell miscues.

MEAC play begins with a trip to Florida A&M on Saturday, Jan. 10.

(Source, and photo, HU Athletics)

Another 'Just Stop It Already' Moment

Former NBA great, turned- TNT-sports-analyst, Charles Barkley, was arrested in Phoeniz Arizona last week for, what else?

Click here to find out.

Click here to really find out why.

Monday In Sports!

A New Year In Sports Abounds!

Boy, has the new year in sports been interesting already.

The Wizards win over LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers, at the Verizon Center, 80-77.

The Cavs beat the Wizards on Christmas Day, 93-89, so it was only fitting that the Wiz reciprocate with a win to start the new year off right for their DMV fans!

In what was an active forth quarter, fans could see Cavalier coach, Mike Brown (who was named coach of the month on last Friday) get ejected from the game after leaving the bench to challenge a foul called on his star player, LeBron.

James would later travel (can you say CONTROVERSY?) on a play, giving the Wizards possession.

Antawn Jamison hit a 17-footer with 10.5 seconds to clinch the win. Jamison had 26 points and 13 rebounds to bring the Wizards' season to 7-25.

"We're a grind team", said Wizards' Caron Butler. "Our disposition has to be relentless."

Indeed, it must.

The Wizards led 70-54 in the first half, and saw that lead diminish in the second half of the game.

Meanwhile.....

Up 95 North

Another relentless defense helps the Ravens rip Miami, 27-9, in wild card playoff action.

Dolphins' QB, Chad Pennington had a rough day on the job as he got sacked three times. (Pennington also threw 4 interceptions).

Rookie coach, John Harbaugh and his QB Joe Flacco are 12-5 as they take on their next foe, the Tennessee Titans.

Oddly enough, Pennington was this year's AP comeback player of the year. (Guess B'more missed that memo - or didn't need it).

Check out Ray Lewis after the win. (This guy is still gorgeous!)



High School Ballin'

What's up with HS ball?

Hoop Magic Sports Academy gets ready for a tournament of high school basketball teams from the DMV.

Check out Sports Groove's, Mark Gray here as he talks with HMSA owner, Curtis Symonds (Mystics' former COO).

Just A Side Note.

I still remember trying out for the Mystics last year at Curtis' Hoops Magic facility in Chantilly. Did I really think I could ball like that?! What was I thinking! Fun experience, though.

Keeping That New Year's Weight Loss Resolution

Six words. Don't let this happen to you. Ouch! That was mean. Sorry.



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Another 'Not Really Sports Related' Moment

Lance and Eva

You probably remember me telling you I met David Oliver, 2008 Beijing Olympian, and had him on the DC UrbanSports Radio show, right?

His friend, and former Howard University college mate, Lance Gross (who turned down the op to become a pro track and field athlete to pursue a professional acting career instead) is getting married to model, Eva (formerly Pigford) Marcille.

Eva became famous when she won the third season of America's Next Top Model.

Lance and Eva acted together in an episode of Tyler Perry's House of Payne where Eva breaks Lance's heart after ending their relationship so she could get back with a former beau.

Here's wishing Lance and Eva the best in their new engagement (and let's hope that life doesn't imitate that episode).

Read more here about the happy couple's engagement. The two appear in this month's issue of Essence Magazine.