Storm
Notebook: Photos put Jackson in spotlight

By Jayda Evans
Seattle Times staff reporter

Sheri Sam provided points in the clutch.

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HOUSTON — They sat along the visitor's bench during pregame and waited patiently.

For Houston coach Van Chancellor? No.

For Seattle coach Anne Donovan? No.

The cluster of three television crews, five print reporters and hangers-on were looking for Storm forward Lauren Jackson, whose nude photo spread in an Australian photography magazine has created nationwide debate.

Jackson is still oblivious as to why it's news in America.

"Is there an outcome?" she asked a Houston Chronicle reporter.

Player of the game: MVP Lauren Jackson was the high scorer, but forward Sheri Sam was the risk-taker. The Louisiana native, whose family made the four-hour trip from Lafayette, nailed a three-pointer with 45.5 seconds remaining (and plenty of time on the shot clock) that gave Seattle the cushion it needed to win. Sam finished with 10 points and two assists. Other player of the game: At times it seemed as if Houston was playing one-on-five and winning. All-Star Sheryl Swoopes accounted for more half of the Comets' points, even scoring when she was double-teamed. She finished with a career-high-tying 33 points on 14-of-25 shooting from the field. Swoopes' point total also set an opponent high for the Storm. Digits: The Storm is on a five-game win streak, tying the franchise high set in 2002 when the team clinched its first playoff berth as a No. 4 seed. Next: At San Antonio, today at 5 p.m., SBC Center.

"We're all here," he responded.

Seattle's ABC, NBC and CBS affiliates asked their Houston counterparts to interview Jackson about the spread. Jackson, a 6 foot 5 WNBA MVP, reiterated her stance that the pictures are beautiful and a prestigious honor in her country.

"It's a totally different culture, I'm starting to sense," she told the group. "I don't think it's anything that should be looked upon badly."

After about 10 minutes of questions, a Storm spokesperson piped in, "Are there any questions about the game tonight?"

The group just looked at him. Session over.

No Thompson

The Comets had five days to prepare for last night's game. After All-Star forward Tina Thompson strained her left calf in the final minutes of regulation of her team's overtime win against San Antonio last Saturday, Chancellor thought it would be enough time for her to heal. It wasn't.

Thompson, who is second in league scoring (20.6), was placed on the injured list yesterday afternoon. In addition to last night, she will not play against Minnesota today or at Seattle on Tuesday.

As for the Storm, Donovan said that didn't change her team's strategy. Seattle played Connecticut, missing rookie Lindsay Whalen, on June 11 and barely pulled out a five-point win.

Chancellor calls this squad his most inexperienced in the team's seven seasons. Brazilian All-Star guard Janeth Arcain didn't return because she is training for the Olympics, and Cynthia Cooper retired.

Slammin' Sam

Storm forward Sheri Sam had about 20 family and friends in the audience last night who drove up from her birthplace of Lafayette, La. She returned to the South on a hot streak, too. In the past three Storm wins entering last night, Sam averaged 12.7 points, 8.0 rebounds and 4.7 assists.

Center Janell Burse, from New Orleans, also had family present.

Note

Houston C Pollyanna Johns Kimbrough, who had been on the disabled list with a chronic left knee injury, was activated before the game.

Copyright © 2004 The Seattle Times Company

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