November 28, 2009

Adam Zagoria
Special to Rivals High

"When I started playing basketball around 9 years old, they didn't even have leagues for girls to play in," Thompson said in a recent phone interview. "So all throughout my recreational basketball career I played with boys. I mean, it definitely helped me, but just the opportunity to play with people like me wasn't available.

"Now if you look at the grassroots or youth level, there are leagues for little girls everywhere. It's just unbelievable."

Now that she's become one of the biggest stars in the WNBA, Thompson is giving back to the next generation of young women by hosting The Tina Thompson She Got Game Classic Dec. 19 at Forestville (Md.) Bishop McNamara High School.

"This event is going to be an all-day basketball affair for highly competitive girls high school basketball teams that otherwise do not compete against each other," said Afiba Dia Fairnot, who is helping to promote the event through the Veney Management Group. "The teams will be from Maryland, Washington D.C. and Virginia. Many of the committed teams are ranked in The Washington Post and will most likely be ranked during the 2009-2010 season."

Becca Tillet, whose Forest Park (Va.) team plays in the largest public school division in Virginia and finished 22-5 last season, is looking forward to playing Good Counsel (Md.), a parochial school in Maryland.

"We're not in the same conferences, so the only times you get to play them is in the special events," she said.

The event was originally to be hosted by Washington D.C. native Monique Currie of the Washington Mystics before she pulled out because of commitments to her overseas team. At that point, Thompson stepped in to add credibility and a star presence.

"I've heard a lot about the girls and the level of play and their talent level in that area. I know it's 12 of the top teams, so I'm just really interested and excited about seeing them get after it," said Thompson, a four-time WNBA champion and two-time USA Basketball gold medalist who plays for the Los Angeles Sparks.

Alongside Sheryl Swoopes, Thompson helped the Houston Comets win the WNBA's first four championships.

Yet in a sign that the league is struggling financially, the Comets went out of business last December.

"I was definitely surprised," Thompson said. "It wasn't anything I expected at all. I think it had more to do with economics and the economy, rather than just fan support itself. I mean, we are one of the few teams that have been in positive [financially] for most of the time that we have been a part of the WNBA."

She added: "The level of the WNBA as far as production and talent level has to continue to grow and maintain, but we also have to find owners that are committed to it. I know in Houston, Hilton Koch was one of the most passionate owners that I've seen in the WNBA, but economics played a part in that."

Still, the WNBA soldiers on with 13 teams, giving hope to new generations of girls hoping to follow in Thompson's footsteps.

And what will Thompson say if any of the girls from this event ask her how to reach the WNBA?

"I would just simply to be dedicated to it and to continue to work hard," she said.

What: TINA THOMPSON SHE GOT GAME CLASSIC

Where: Forestville (Md.) Bishop McNamara High School

When: Dec. 19

12:00 PM: Princeton Day Academy (MD) vs. Paul VI (VA)

1:30 PM: Freedom-South Riding (VA) vs. Georgetown Visitation (DC)

3:00 PM: Good Counsel (MD) vs. Forest Park (VA)

4:30 PM: Urbana (MD) vs. Holy Cross (MD)

6:00 PM: Archbishop Spalding (MD) vs. North Point (MD)

7:30 PM: Surrattsville (MD) vs. Seton Keough (MD)