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HRES 654
Whereas, on September 16, 2007, the Phoenix Mercury won the 2007 Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) Championship after cruising to victory over the defending champion Detroit Shock with a strong final score of 108 to 92 in the fifth and deciding game of the series;
Whereas this is the Mercury's first WNBA Championship since the team's formation in 1997 as one of the WNBA's original 8 teams;
Whereas the Mercury is the first team to win the WNBA Championship on the road;
Whereas, after only 2 seasons as head coach, the superb leadership and up-tempo style of Coach Paul Westhead guided the Mercury to this Championship;
Whereas, after only 2 years in the WNBA, Cappie Pondexter scored 26 points in the final game of the series and was chosen as the Most Valuable Player for the WNBA Finals;
Whereas Cappie Pondexter was ably assisted by Penny Taylor, who scored 30 points, and Diana Taurasi, who scored 17 points, in addition to outstanding efforts from teammates Tangela Smith, Kelly Miller, Kelly Mazzante, Kelly Schumacher, Belinda Snell, Olympia Scott, Jennifer Derevjanik, and Jennifer Lacy;
Whereas this impressive win makes Coach Paul Westhead the first coach in history to capture both the NBA Championship and WNBA Championship;
Whereas the Mercury entered the WNBA Playoffs with their best record in franchise history at 23-11 and after 6 years of having missed inclusion in the Playoffs;
Whereas there was no doubt who was taking control of the final game as the Mercury led by as many as 14 points in the first quarter, posted an impressive record by shooting 73.3 percent for the first quarter, and led by as many as 18 points in the second quarter; and
Whereas the city of Phoenix joins the Phoenix Mercury owner, Robert Sarver, in taking enormous pride in the accomplishment of this outstanding team: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives congratulates the Phoenix Mercury and Coach Paul Westhead for winning the 2007 Women's National Basketball Association Championship.
Attest:
Clerk.
