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In the 2024 WNBA regular season, the Indiana Fever have performed noticeably better. The squad had a rough start with a 1-8 record, but they were able to turn things around with four straight home victories to improve to a 6-10 record.

If the season ended today, the Fever would be in the postseason for the first time since 2016 thanks to their incredible comeback.

In the midst of this encouraging momentum, the squad had a nice vibe during their Friday pregame shootaround against the Atlanta Dream.

Caitlin Clark and NaLyssa Smith had a humorous but powerful exchange as the practice session came to an end. Smith got things started by making a half-court jumper that went in.

NaLyssa Smith and Caitlin Clark both nail the halfcourt shot after shootaround this morning 😮‍💨 pic.twitter.com/0ZzZIKcCCG
— Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) June 21, 2024

She quickly let Clark know about her accomplishment, laying the groundwork for a cordial challenge. Clark responded by showcasing her abilities by making a half-court shot of her own and then wildly celebrating in Smith’s face.

This conversation was especially important in light of the current worries regarding NaLyssa Smith’s dedication to the Fever.

These questions surfaced when it was revealed that she was dating Connecticut Sun guard DiJonai Carrington, a renowned opponent of Caitlin Clark.

I never expected to see this many people for a WNBA game. The Atlanta Dream vs. Indiana Fever. #caitlinclark pic.twitter.com/Ul9k7nxGLR
— Marcus Dewan Williams (@nubianbookstore) June 22, 2024

Fans were reassured by the moment of mutual support and strong friendship that Clark and Smith shared during practice, even in the face of other distractions.

In addition to showcasing their basketball skills, Clark and Smith’s lighthearted banter also emphasised the team spirit and unity of the Fever.

This is encouraging for the team’s chances of making the playoffs and for their further success as the season progresses. The Fever’s strong play and the apparent friendship between players like Smith and Clark point to a bright future for the group in the WNBA.

Source: USA TODAY Sports

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A big change has recently occurred for the Spring Lake girls varsity basketball team with the appointment of Cori Geoghan as head coach.

As the junior varsity coach for the past three years, Geoghan has been a vital member of the Spring Lake basketball community. He brings a wealth of knowledge and a new perspective to the position, succeeding longtime coach Rich Hyde.

Following a remarkable season in which the Lakers advanced to the Division 2 regional championship game for the first time ever in school history, this shift has taken place.

Geoghan comes from a long line of exceptional basketball players. She was twice named an All-State selection while attending Muskegon Catholic Central, where she also captained her team to two regional victories and four straight district championships.

Her stats from her final year, when she averaged 23.3 points, 5.8 assists, 5.5 rebounds, and 3.8 steals per game, were especially remarkable. With 1,765 points, she became the school’s all-time top scorer, leaving an enduring impression.

She was the first athlete from Muskegon Catholic Central to win the Muskegon Area Sports Hall of Fame Female Student-Athlete Award in 2000, further demonstrating her athletic ability.

Geoghan pursued her basketball career at Grand Valley State University, where she rose to prominence as one of the program’s greatest shooters ever.

In terms of career 3-point field goal percentage (39.1%), career 3-pointers made (155), and career free-throw shooting percentage (79.4%), she is ranked fifth all-time. These accomplishments highlight her extraordinary talent and dependability as a player.

Geoghan has proven to be a dedicated supporter of nurturing fresh talent even outside of her playing career.

She was instrumental in the development and execution of the Spring Lake school district’s Junior Lakers program, a girls’ basketball league for third and fourth graders.

This initiative has likely contributed to building a robust foundation for the high school program by nurturing early interest and skills in the sport.

The selection of Geoghan as head coach is evidence of her leadership skills, commitment to the community, and basketball aptitude.

Geoghan praised the district’s dedication to quality and shared her excitement for the position in a press release issued by the Spring Lake Athletic Department.

She expressed how excited she was to get to know the community and work with the student-athletes to create an environment that will help them grow and develop both on and off the court.

As a coach as well as a player, she probably sees fit to use her experiences and the effective tactics she has witnessed in the past to further the program.

Geoghan has a special understanding of athlete health and injury prevention from her work as a doctor of physical therapy at PTX Physical Therapy in Spring Lake. This understanding will be very helpful in her new position.

In addition, Geoghan’s private life is entwined with the Spring Lake neighborhood. Her connection to and dedication to the community she serves are further strengthened by the fact that she and her spouse, Josh Geoghan, have two children enrolled in the Spring Lake school district.

Her desire to see the program flourish can only be strengthened by her personal involvement in the community.

Geoghan inherits a program that has had recent success, going 43-27 in the previous three seasons, as she takes the helm of the Spring Lake girls varsity basketball team.

Building on this success and leading the team to even higher heights will be her challenge. With her history, her love of the game, and her close connections to the community, Geoghan seems like a good fit to guide the Lakers into this next chapter.

Her many roles as a community member, coach, and mentor provide her a special opportunity to have a positive influence on the girls basketball team at Spring Lake.

Under her direction, the Lakers have a bright future because to her combination of vast basketball knowledge, professional expertise in physical treatment, and dedication to young development.

There’s a real sense of excitement and hope for what the team may accomplish with Geoghan leading them as they get ready for the 2024–25 campaign.

*This Article was edited by Anmol author @09Sports.com

Source – mlive.com