Riceboro native DeLisha Milton-Jones is heading out to California as the second time Olympian prepares to meet with the 2008 National team for training. The trip comes after she was among three players and a coach ejected from a WNBA game Tuesday night when the players and coaches from both teams cleared the benches to fight just 5 seconds before the game was scheduled to end.
The scuffle was reportedly the first major fight in the WNBA, according to a Wednesday report by the Associated Press. In a close and tense game between the Detroit Shock and the Los Angeles Sparks a fight ensued between the Sparks', Candace Parker, and the Shock's Pienette Pierson.
According to news reports Parker and Pierson got tangled up after going for a rebound on a fouls shot. Push led to shove and teammates went in to defend each other. Detroit assistant coach Rick Mahorn allegedly pushed away the Sparks' Lisa Leslie, causing her to fall backwards. It was reported that Milton-Jones then struck Mahorn in the back with her hands as she tried to defend Leslie.
In an interview with AP sports writer, Vin A, Cherwoo Milton-Jones said, "That was unfortunate, but things like that happen in basketball sometimes. The league is going to have to decide what kind of action to take."
As a result of the fight Milton-Jones, Parker, Pierson and Mahorn were ejected.
The Sparks won 84-81.
Milton-Jones was credited for posting 19 points. She is listed among the team leaders in points scored and rebounds just behind Parker and Leslie.
Milton-Jones and her Sparks teammates, Parker and Leslie will be joining the 12-member USA Olympic women's basketball team headed to Beijing.
The roster features veteran Olympic gold medalists and young talented stars including two-time Olympic gold medalist Katie Smith (Detroit Shock); Sue Bird (Seattle Storm), Tamika Catchings (Indiana Fever), Diana Taurasi (Phoenix Mercury) and Tina Thompson (Houston Comets), all of whom have earned Olympic gold; as well as first time Olympians Seimone Augustus (Minnesota Lynx), Sylvia Fowles ( Chicago Sky), Kara Lawson (Sacramento Monarchs) and Cappie Pondexter (Phoenix Mercury).
It is Milton-Jones' second Olympic appearance.
Gathering for the first time as a single unit, the 2008 USA Basketball Women's National Team will practice July 28-31 in Palo Alto, Calif., in its final domestic training camp before traveling to the 2008 Summer Olympic Games in Beijing, China.
The scuffle was reportedly the first major fight in the WNBA, according to a Wednesday report by the Associated Press. In a close and tense game between the Detroit Shock and the Los Angeles Sparks a fight ensued between the Sparks', Candace Parker, and the Shock's Pienette Pierson.
According to news reports Parker and Pierson got tangled up after going for a rebound on a fouls shot. Push led to shove and teammates went in to defend each other. Detroit assistant coach Rick Mahorn allegedly pushed away the Sparks' Lisa Leslie, causing her to fall backwards. It was reported that Milton-Jones then struck Mahorn in the back with her hands as she tried to defend Leslie.
In an interview with AP sports writer, Vin A, Cherwoo Milton-Jones said, "That was unfortunate, but things like that happen in basketball sometimes. The league is going to have to decide what kind of action to take."
As a result of the fight Milton-Jones, Parker, Pierson and Mahorn were ejected.
The Sparks won 84-81.
Milton-Jones was credited for posting 19 points. She is listed among the team leaders in points scored and rebounds just behind Parker and Leslie.
Milton-Jones and her Sparks teammates, Parker and Leslie will be joining the 12-member USA Olympic women's basketball team headed to Beijing.
The roster features veteran Olympic gold medalists and young talented stars including two-time Olympic gold medalist Katie Smith (Detroit Shock); Sue Bird (Seattle Storm), Tamika Catchings (Indiana Fever), Diana Taurasi (Phoenix Mercury) and Tina Thompson (Houston Comets), all of whom have earned Olympic gold; as well as first time Olympians Seimone Augustus (Minnesota Lynx), Sylvia Fowles ( Chicago Sky), Kara Lawson (Sacramento Monarchs) and Cappie Pondexter (Phoenix Mercury).
It is Milton-Jones' second Olympic appearance.
Gathering for the first time as a single unit, the 2008 USA Basketball Women's National Team will practice July 28-31 in Palo Alto, Calif., in its final domestic training camp before traveling to the 2008 Summer Olympic Games in Beijing, China.