Flashback a year and recall your feelings about Swin Cash (pictured right). Some thought she was done. Others were disappointed she didn't contribute more during the 2008 season. Many were concerned about her back.

Cash underwent surgery on March 9 and tore through the 2009 WNBA season, being named the All-Star game's MVP after scoring a game-record 22 points and tallying six rebounds with four assists. Now, as she nears the year anniversary of that surgery, she's named to USA Basketball's national team.

Twelve additional players were added to the pool on Wednesday, including UConn stars Maya Moore and Tina Charles. Add Storm guard Sue Bird and Connecticut trade acquisition Renee Montgomery and All-Star Asjha Jones and there are seven Huskies on the national team, which is led by UConn coach Geno Auriemma.

Perhaps the school should change its slogan to "Pipeline to the Olympics?"

Actually the players have to prepare for the World Championships in Czech Republic in September first.

"It's an honor and a blessing to be named to the national team again," Cash told USA Basketball. She was a 2004 Olympian "I understand there's a lot of time between now and September, but this is a step in the right direction.

Cash is currently leading her Chinese team in the postseason, playing a Game 2 against Shenyang on Friday.

STORM SIGNING: The Storm announced the signing of 6-foot-3 Czech Republic forward Jana Vesela to the training camp roster. Vesela currently plays in Spain along side Erika de Souza (Atlanta) and Belinda Snell (San Antonio), helping to lead the team to the Final Four for the first time since 2007.

Vesela, 26, is averaging 5.0 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.6 assists in Euroleague play.

STORM AT STATE: Storm practice player Kevin Lindsay's Issaquah High advanced to the second round in a nail bitter on Wednesday. He's an assistant coach who couldn't hide his joy when Maddey Pflaumer was fouled in the fourth quarter, making two free throws with 0.6 on the clock to seal a 51-49 win.

Storm radio announcer Dick Fain is the head coach at Mt Rainier, which advanced to Class 3A state. That tournament begins next week.

View Original Post at seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/womenshoopsblog/index.html

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