A Boost Of Energy

A BOOST OF ENERGY can take a team to a higher level. In the WNBA’s first All-Star game in 1999, an energized West surged past the East.

The best players in professional women’s basketball gathered at New York’s Madison Square Garden to showcase their sport. Whitney Houston turned up the electricity before the game with a rousing rendition of the “Star-Spangled Banner” that brought the sellout crowd of 18,649 to its feet.

A trio of Houston Comets—Sheryl Swoopes, Cynthia Cooper, and Tina Thompson—blitzed their Eastern opponents in the game’s early stages. The three combined for 11 points in the opening minutes and paced the West to a quick 14–2 lead. Although the East closed to 31–29 with 4:39 remaining in the first half, Yolanda Griffith’s turnaround jumper ignited a 12–0 run to close the half as the West held a 43–29 cushion.

Defense dominated the day for the West. Utah’s Natalie Williams (14 points, 8 rebounds), Sacramento’s Yolanda Griffith (10 points, 5 rebounds), and Los Angeles’s Lisa Leslie (13 points, 5 rebounds) completely throttled the East offense and allowed the West to coast to a 79–61 victory. The East shot only 35 percent (26-of-74) for the game and pulled down 36 rebounds compared to 48 for the West. For her efforts, including a dunk in the pregame warm-ups, Lisa Leslie picked up the Most Valuable Player award.

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POINT People watching WNBA basketball for the first time often seem amazed at the women’s power. During games, the players sprint up and down the court, bang inside for rebounds, and play suffocating defense. They use all of their energy toward team victory.

The apostle Paul wrote about God’s power. If God truly lives inside us, the Lord offers us power and stamina to do good for him.

GOAL! Compare your physical energy and your spiritual energy. Are you lacking in any area? Exercise your body and your spirit by eating a nutritious diet of healthy food, working out, and taking part in sincere worship and Bible study. Ask God to give you the stamina needed to live for him.