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Catchings Takes MVP Honors in WKBL All-Star Clash



Tamika Catchings of the Woori Bank Hansae did here what she failed to
do in the United States.
Catchings captured the All-Star MVP award as the Central Team
defeated the Southern Team 120-112 in Sunday's Women's Korea
Basketball League (WKBL) All-Star Game in Seoul's Changchung
Gymnasium.

The 24-year-old Catchings chipped in 18 points and pulled down 15
rebounds to garner 38 of the 55 ballots in the MVP vote by media
members. Kim Kye-ryong of the Samsung Life Bichumi, who notched 22
points and 11 boards, finished second with 11 votes.

``It was a very emotional game. I wanted to enjoy the game but
didn't
want to lose. I will spend the prize money with my teammates,''
Catchings said after the victory.

Last year's Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
rookie of
the year Catchings also started the 2002 WNBA All-Star derby, but
missed out on the MVP award in her team's the two-point loss.

It was a first time for an import to bag the much-coveted award after
Lee Mi-sun of the Bichumi claimed last year's MVP in the
WKBL's
inaugural All-Star match.

The Central side took an early lead as their twin towers of Catchings
and Kim ruled the paint. Yet Hyundai Hyperion center Kang Ji-sook
poured in 14 points of the Southern's 34 in the third quarter,
reversing the score at 88-81 after the third.

Then, it was show time for Catchings, who collected 10 points, six
rebounds and four assists in the final period alone.

With three minutes to go and Catchings and company up by three
points, she dribbled the ball between her legs and drove to the net
before dishing off to Lee Jong-ae of the Hansae who was open on the
perimeter. Catchings also hit a trey and completed a monstrous
baseball pass in the closing seconds to complete her impressive
performance.

Fans were unable to see the much-anticipated duel between Catchings
and another WNBA star Chamique Holdsclaw of the KB Savers, as
Holdsclaw was sidelined with an injury.

By Kim Tae-gyu
Staff Reporter

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