Shock hopes for that 'one thing' to get things going
BY KELLY HINES World Sports Writer
Saturday, June 18, 2011
6/18/11 at 5:57 AM
Ivory Latta has been through this before.
As a guard for the Atlanta Dream in 2008, Latta endured an 0-17 start to the season. This year, Latta and the Tulsa Shock are 0-5 heading into Saturday night's game against Washington at the BOK Center.
"I know the feeling," Latta said after Friday's practice. "I know how it felt to get that first win, and after we got that first win everything really starting falling in place for us.
"Here, I've just got a great feeling that we are there. We just need that one thing to get us over that hump to get that win."
The biggest issue for the Shock is finding that "one thing." Asked what has been the team's main problem this season, general manager and coach Nolan Richardson simply said, "We've shot the ball horrible."
Injuries haven't helped. Power forward Amber Holt, who Richardson said is the team's best all-around player, is out several more weeks with a broken left thumb.
Rookie center Elizabeth Cambage, who suffered a concussion in Sunday's loss at Connecticut, hasn't practiced this week and missed Tuesday's game against Indiana. She is not expected to play Saturday, but that will be a gametime decision, Richardson said.
Tulsa was its most competitive Tuesday against the Fever, even without Cambage. The Shock led with less than five minutes to play before Indiana went on a 16-7 run to win.
"I think that was our stepping stone of 'Ladies, look. We can really do this,' " Latta said.
Before the season began, Richardson said he knew the team would have its work cut out, with four out of the first five games on the road and against some of the league's best squads.
"We had to try to do something special to win one of those games," he said.
Now home for three straight games, the Shock is looking to pick up its first victory, along with some confidence.
"That's what it's all about now," Richardson said. "They've put in the time and the work. It's got to pay off.
"If it pays off, they see the payoff and that's when they go back to work."
Latta said the players are trying to take the intensity from their fast-paced practices and implement it in games. When that happens, she said, the Shock will find success.
"I get chills when I think about how good this team could be," Latta said. "I know it's coming. When it comes we're going to ride it on out."
Original Print Headline: Shock still looking for first win
Kelly Hines 918-581-8452
kelly.hines@tulsaworld.com
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