Young leads San Antonio into the play-offs

The all-round ability of Vincentian basketballer Sophia Young has helped the San Antonio Silver Stars to the Western Conference Play-Offs of the WNBA.{{more}}

Last week Thursday, she hit a game-high 24 points for San Antonio against the Connecticut Suns, as they fast tracked their play-off.

Young, a forward, also had a mere nine points two days later against Sacramento Monarchs, but her team won 77-69.

But it was a big occasion for Young, who in the process recorded her 100th game in the WNBA, having played 34 in 2006, 33 in 2007, and thus far 33 in her third season in the US pro league.

Apart from winning their last five matches, the Silver Stars finished the regular season with aplomb, topping the Western Conference.

It was the best showing for the Silver Stars franchise, in their WNBA history, as they recorded 24 wins, as against 10 losses.

And Young, who is originally from the Central Leeward Constituency town of Layou, is second in her team’s scoring and also holds the same second position in rebounding.

Her efforts have earned her to be named among the 32 players vyeing for the WNBA most prestigious prize, the Most Valuable Player Award, which is done by online voting and coaches.

Young, who also plays for Galatasarray in the Turkish League, was voted the Western Conference’s MVP for week one of the 2008 WNBA.

And, as if showing that she is coming of age, Young in her debut season averaged 12.0 points per game. Last year that reached 16.8 and for 2008, has inched to 17.5.

Young and the San Antonio Silver Stars were scheduled to meet Sacramento last evening in the semi final. (RT)