Liberty battling through injuries, COVID, now look to get on roll
The Liberty are a work in progress. When coach Sandy Brondello took over the team this year she knew it would take time for the players to gel on the court.
With players showing up late for training camp because of overseas commitments and others dealing with injuries and the coronavirus, the process has gotten off to a slower start than expected.
“It’s getting healthy players back that will help,” Brondello said. “The players that are out are impact players that will make a change. We’ll have to find ways to deal with not having Betnijah.”
New York will be missing guard/forward Betnijah Laney for approximately the next two months after she had knee surgery last week.
The Liberty have won two of three games since it was announced that Laney would be out.
Stefanie Dolson, who came home to New York in the offseason, was on the champion Chicago Sky last season. That team started out 2-7 before getting on a roll.
“We have a lot of people injured. Training camp we had people in and out with COVID. A lot of people don’t know what’s happening behind closed doors,” Dolson said. “We haven’t had an entire roster this whole time. I think it’s something we’re trying to fight through and figure out how to play with each other. I see similarities between last year and this year. There’s still a lot of basketball to play through.”
RICH STRIKE 3RD CHOICE AT BELMONT
Kentucky Derby winner Rich Strike is the third betting choice on the morning line for the Belmont Stakes, with Triple Crown newcomer We the People installed as the favorite.
Rich Strike opened at 7-2 odds and drew the fourth post position in a field of eight horses for the 1 ½-mile third leg of the Triple Crown. We the People drew the rail and opens at 2-1, with Todd Pletcher-trained No. 6 Mo Donegal set at 5-2.
A month after Rich Strike pulled off an 80-1 upset to win the Derby and bypassed the Preakness for extra rest, trainer Eric Reed thinks the colt is training just as well at Belmont Park as he was at Churchill Downs.
“He’s done real good since he’s been here,” Reed said Tuesday at the post position draw. “I see the energy level a little higher now, and he seems a little more confident.”
We the People is coming off winning the Grade 3 Peter Pan Stakes at Belmont Park on May 15. With another wet track possible Saturday, France-born trainer Rodolphe Brisset said he “wouldn’t be upset” if rain is in the forecast.