Throngs of upset Chicago Sky followers spilled out of Wintrust Area on Thursday night time after seeing their staff eradicated from the WNBA Playoffs by the Connecticut Solar, ending the Sky’s dream of a second straight journey to the finals.
However regardless of the loss, many followers expressed optimism on the staff’s future, saying the deep playoff run proved how gifted the staff is.
The ultimate rating was 72-63 in favor of the Connecticut Solar, who made a dramatic comeback within the fourth quarter to oust the defending champion Sky from competition.
“We’re so unhappy, we thought we had it,” stated Saida Vargas, 22. “I assume there’s at all times subsequent 12 months.”
“They made it to the semifinals; the sport was extraordinarily shut,” Vargas stated. “They’re doing extraordinarily good, I’m excited for subsequent 12 months.”
Kitzia Picón was assured the staff would pull out the win after main at halftime, citing their file all through the season when main on the break.
“One thing occurred, protection wasn’t there,” Picón stated. “Seeing it go downhill actually sucked.”
Picón added that she thinks the staff remains to be going to be a contender subsequent 12 months and lauded followers for exhibiting up on a weekday.
“Chicago’s an incredible staff, an incredible metropolis. Individuals are right here on a Thursday night time, and I feel the long run is vibrant for the staff for positive,” Picón stated.
Hours earlier than tipoff, optimistic followers trickled into the world, wanting the staff to get again to the finals however happy with their efficiency all through the season.
Samantha Correa’s fandom for the Chicago Sky remains to be younger — like herself.
At 9 years previous, she’s been a supporter of the staff for 2 years, however this 12 months has been higher than final, she stated, as a result of her dad acquired season tickets.
“Final 12 months we had been sitting in several seats, however now I get a greater view,” Samantha stated.
Willie Correa, her dad, stated he thinks the items are there for sustained success.
“I feel the youthful group is studying, and I feel if we will match the precise items in, it may be a dynasty,” Willie Correa stated. “Now I really feel prefer it’s only a successful tradition, and I might like to proceed to see it.”
Robert, who took an Uber from Burbank to see the sport, agrees and thinks this Sky staff ought to be talked about with different nice Chicago groups, including that it’s been the one native staff with sustained success in recent times.
He stated that making it deep into the playoffs in back-to-back years “is admittedly powerful” and, the Sky “are in elite firm” with different Chicago groups which have contended for a number of years.
Robert, who requested to be recognized solely by his first title, hopes the staff’s success results in extra publicity for a gaggle “that basically deserves it.”
“They already received,” Robert stated, including that he’s glad a successful staff is taking part in within the metropolis and never within the suburbs. “When the Arlington Bears go to Arlington, that’s as much as them,” Robert stated.
Earl and Diana Clark, each of their 60s, confirmed up early to Wintrust clad in matching Sky blue tracksuits. Whereas they don’t suppose the staff is a dynasty simply but, they suppose the group has had an incredible season.
“I feel they did an exquisite job attempting to repeat; I feel they did a superb job,” Diana Clark stated.
Earl Clark, her husband, has been a fan since 2014, she stated. However his enthusiasm for the staff rubbed off on Diana, who grew to become a fan of the Sky this 12 months.
“Watching him watch the video games I began entering into it, and the truth that they’re right here made it simpler for me to come back and be a part of the sport.”
The Chatham couple took a bus as much as the world hoping to see a victory. However no matter occurs, Diana stated she hopes the staff “doesn’t lose religion that they’ll get up to now once more.”
