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Katie Smith, the league’s all-time scoring leader, did not allow her career to proceed without winning a WNBA title, and she had no plans in forgoing that game five chance. She made two clutch jumpers in the last two minutes including a big three pointer in one of the thrilling Finals ever. She scored 17 points and helped her team win 80-75 against the defending champions Sacramento Monarchs.

She teamed up with Finals MVP Deanna Nolan, who also scored crucial shots en route to a 24 point performance. Will and sheer determination propelled Nolan to lead the Shocks to overcome an eight point deficit in the first half. She found herself open, or should I say, willed herself to be open for those jumpers scoring 10 points in the third quarter alone. She looked like a lady Reggie Miller in that game, fighting thru screens and hitting those open jump shots.

Well, Detroit was totted to have the best starting five in the league with forwards Swin Cash and Cheryl Ford (Karl Malone’s daughter) and guards Smith and Nolan all averaging in double figures for the season. Center Ruth Riley completes the starting five.

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For two crucial games, they came back from 11 and 8 points down at halftime to win the game. They utilized, in both occasions two blistering third quarters to get back in the game. They just wanted the championship more than the Monarchs.

After loosing big time in game one, they were down by 11 at halftime in game two. And they were at their home court at the Palace. Smith then scored 16 second-half points for a 73-63 win.

Hitting open jump shots and scoring in transition is really important to have in a team’s game. And that was just what the Shocks did to win the series. They played good defense, being the second defensive team in the league just allowing a shade over 70 points per game, which resulted to easy fast break points.

And Nolan and Smith have become their take-charge leaders that brought them their second championship ring in four years. Smith drained the last 15 footer in the game and with 14 seconds remaining grabbed the rebound and threw the ball skyward into the air in celebration. She really looked like someone who has never won a championship before, and she haven’t until now! (Pics courtesy of sports.yahoo.com)