High Hopes For Womens Hoops!

August 13, 1996

The 96 Olympic Games are done for, but we couldnt say bye without first talking up that Dream Team! No, not the basketball team that cruised and snoozed its way to a gold. We mean the other Dream Team - the one loaded with talented women who whomped and stomped over Brazil, 111-87, to grab the gold. It happened just hours before the closing ceremonies --and what a way to bring down the house!

The U.S. womens basketball team had played together for 14 long, grueling months - and on the court, the members harmony was obvious. (In other words, they were smooth!) Plus, they had a score to settle: Brazil was the upset winner over the U.S. in the 94 World Championships. Eight players on the U.S. Olympic team in Atlanta had been on that 94 team, and the defeat still stung them.

So Aug. 4 in Atlanta, it was payback time - and the team showed Brazil no mercy.

When it was over, fans and players went wild. (Bet you did, too, if you were watching.) The players cried and hugged. Jennifer Azzi and Dawn Staley did cartwheels across the floor. Teresa Edwards yelled, "Oh, man, this is sweet. This is so sweet, you cant believe it." And their coach, Tara VanDerveer, said, "The future of womens basketball is very bright."