Notebook: Marciniak enjoying new career as coach

Shopping was the hardest part.

It took Michelle Marciniak one day to realize with this new gig she couldn't escape with Nikes, track pants and a Storm T-shirt.

A retired guard, Marciniak entered the coaching field last April when she accepted a job as assistant coach at South Carolina.

"Having a real job, I figured out all I did was work out for a living," Marciniak joked of her three summers in the WNBA. She also played in the defunct ABL after starring at Tennessee.

"I had no clothes," she said, kicking up her leather shoes and saying, "My heels are all worn out. I had to go out and get office clothes."

Marciniak, 29, was recognized last night with a video tribute and standing ovation that seemingly lasted as long as the timeout midway through the first half of the Storm-Sparks game at KeyArena. Aside from her college notoriety, Marciniak gained her popularity in Seattle with her gritty style.

Los Angeles was one of her favorite teams to play. Last season she made several highlight reels after a comical foray with Sparks forward Latasha Byears, who bounced the basketball off Marciniak's head in frustration.

But even as Marciniak watched her former team play, she didn't miss being out on the court. She's settling into her office, which is decorated with Tennessee and Storm memorabilia, and she'll be on the road recruiting the entire month of July.

"I miss it, of course I do, but this was a professional decision," said Marciniak, who makes more as a college assistant coach than the WNBA's $41,200 veteran minimum. "If it was an emotional decision, then I'd still be playing. But this is the best situation for me. I love my job."

Player of the game: She did it in the championship series last year, and Sparks guard Nikki Teasley again pulled out her late-game heroics last night. She hit a tying three-pointer with 19 seconds remaining in regulation to force overtime. The Sparks outscored the Storm 9-6 in OT. Teasley finished with 19 points and seven rebounds.

Digits: Storm All-Star Lauren Jackson was 3 of 15 from the field, 8 of 8 from the free-throw line.

In attendance: Sonics coach Nate McMillan sat with owner Howard Schultz at KeyArena. Also at the game were Washington women's coach June Daugherty and husband Mike, as well as Storm regular Jamal Crawford, the former Rainier Beach High School star who plays for the Chicago Bulls.

Next: vs. Sacramento on Tuesday at KeyArena, 7 p.m.

Brought it

Soggy sandals, flip-flops and sneakers scrunched around the KeyArena concourse as fans made their way in from the late afternoon rain. The Storm recorded its sixth consecutive lower-bowl sellout (9,686) dating to last season. The Storm would like to average 8,000 fans this season. It averaged 6,986 last summer.

No more TV?

Unlike past seasons when the league required teams to televise a minimum of six games, the shifting of ownership responsibility to the individual teams and the new collective-bargaining agreement signed in April left that detail up to the owners. The Storm paid about $25,000 per game last season. This summer they have only two locally televised games, last week's matchup in San Antonio and last night's game.

Karen Bryant, vice president of Storm operations, said the team could add more but there are many reasons why the team probably won't go that route.

"A broadcast doesn't do us any good if nobody is watching," Bryant said.

Charity assist

Forward Amanda Lassiter was one of 14 WNBA players honored with the league's Community Assist Award. The WNBA donated $500 to the charity of Lassiter's choice, Children's Hospital.

— Jayda Evans