Inside scoop: Sky shouldn't hesitate to go big, big, big

In an e-mail sent to the media this week, the Chicago Sky included a link to a YouTube video of 6-foot-6 rookie center Sylvia Fowles dunking in a television shoot.

You can judge for yourself (www.youtube.com/watch?vHj3GTI5fEJo), but I think the dunk is pretty good, a legit dunk.

I only hope we see Fowles throw down a few of those during actual games this summer.

You know what? There's something else I would like to see that involves Fowles.

As a former post player, I love watching post players work together, forcing defenses to scramble to match up. I would like to see the Sky use Fowles and its other bigs -- Candice Dupree and Chasity Melvin -- together in games for prolonged periods, perhaps even start the three of them.

Right now, only Fowles and Dupree start.

"That would be cool because we just play so well together," Melvin said. "We all have different styles of play, but we feed off each other."

My apologies to veteran guard Jia Perkins, who would likely be the one to lose her starting spot in such a scenario, but think of the possibilities. The Sky would go from one of the WNBA's smallest teams last summer to one of its biggest.

Rebounding? No problem (like it has been in the past).

Defense in the lane? No problem. (Fowles got 4 blocks in Thursday's home opener win over Sacramento.)

High percentage shots? No problem. (Fowles, Dupree and Melvin all have excellent moves on the block and are good short-range shooters.)

"At some point, you will see the three of us in the lineup together," Dupree said. "Coach (Steve Key) has already talked about it. I think it could be good."

It could be especially good for Dupree, who, at 6-foot-2, is slightly undersized to be banging inside all season long. Out of necessity, she has been forced to do it the last two years -- and she's done it quite well.

But I sense Dupree is ready to dial that down a bit and spread her wings. She has a nice shooting touch and now might be a good time to test her range at small forward.

Meanwhile, think of the mismatch that would create on the perimeter.

"Who wants to stay in the low post and get beat up for 40 minutes every night? (Fowles) is a little bigger. She can handle it better," Dupree laughed. "I'm definitely looking forward to getting out around the foul line more and shooting some jumpers.

"Having Sylvia in there will open things up for everyone -- inside and outside."

No dunk you: I asked Melvin and Dupree if they felt they were under the gun now to improve their hops.

After all, if Fowles starts dunking in games, she's going to make them look bad if they don't keep up, right?

"No, because everyone knows that I can't jump anymore," laughed the 32-year-old Melvin, now in her 10th WNBA season. "I just told Syl that my only rule is that I don't want her dunking on us in practice."

Meanwhile, Dupree said the only dunking she does is with tennis balls. She's happy to leave the rest to Fowles.

"I don't want to hurt myself out there," Dupree laughed.

Slam-dunk reviews: Lest you think Fowles' dunking is all for choreographed television and YouTube, think again.

Said Melvin: "(Fowles) dunks very easily. She's dunking four or five times during layup drills and she can also do it in our post drills, or if we get that back screen for her. And they're all great dunks. It's scary. That's all I can say."

Said Dupree: "We're doing full court drills and she's throwing it down like an NBA player. It will be interesting to see if she actually does it in a game."

Banner day for Price

What a nice way to open the 2008 WNBA season for Chicago Sky guard Armintie Price.

Before she scored a career-high 22 points in the Sky's home opener win over Sacramento, she was honored with a banner that now hangs in the UIC Pavilion to commemorate her achievement of being named the 2007 WNBA rookie of the year.

Clearly, it didn't go to her head.

Price went 9-of-12 from the field, dished out 4 assists and collected 3 steals.

"That is what you want from her," Sky coach Steve Key said. "You hear somebody just got the rookie of the year award and the tendency in that sophomore season is to sit back and say, 'Hmm. I kind of got something already.' But instead, she came out like she did the first time she came out onto this floor."

The Bandits are coming

The Bandits, Chicago's professional fastpitch softball team, is gearing up for the 2008 season, which opens at home on June 6.

Saturday, the team opened its first-ever retail store at 72 S. Grove Ave. in downtown Elgin, which is now its new hometown since all home games will be played at nearby Judson University.

Today, the team will hold open tryouts from noon to 3 p.m. at the Elgin Sports Complex (Field 4) to fill two roster spots. Players must be 21 or older to participate.

If you'd like to meet the Bandits players on Memorial Day, then head to On-Q Hennessey's Seafood/Steak from 2-5 p.m. Monday. Members from the Bandits will be on hand to sign autographs, take pictures and field questions. Free admission and food specials are available.

-- Patricia Babcock McGraw

Classy honor for DePaul

Junior Dunja Antunovic of the DePaul women's tennis team was honored recently as a national recipient of the Cissie Leary Award for Sportsmanship. The Intercollegiate Tennis Association gives the award annually to a women's player who displays inspiring dedication and commitment to her team, which has enhanced her team's performance and exemplified the spirit of college tennis.

"The Cissie Leary Award is a tremendous honor for Dunja," DePaul head coach Mark Ardizzone said. "In just three years she has given so much to the DePaul family and collegiate tennis as a whole. We are all looking forward to her senior season."

During her junior campaign, Antunovic compiled 22 singles victories with 13 wins in the top match. In three seasons, she has won 71 singles matches and captured 62 doubles victories.

Antunovic is heavily involved in the DePaul community, serving as vice president of the DePaul Captains' Council while writing for the DePaulia student newspaper. She is a Big East Academic all-star and an ITA Scholar Athlete.