As expected, the Storm made its first cuts after Monday’s practice, waiving post Aneika Henry and wing Breanna Salley.

“It’s difficult, because all the players here are good players,” said Storm Head Coach Brian Agler before the decisions were finalized. “It’s difficult because the competition is real equal, and it’s also difficult to put a damper on somebody’s career.”

Agler gave extended action to the young players in both days of practice in order to evaluate who would go to make room for Sue Bird and Swin Cash, who will return to practice on Tuesday. Rookies and invitees made up nearly all of the team that scrimmaged the last two days against the Storm’s practice squad.

COACHING PEDIGREE

There were a lot of NCAA wins in Royal Brougham Pavilion on Saturday. In addition to Storm Head Coach Brian Agler (123 Division I wins at Missouri-Kansas City and Kansas State) and Assistant Coach Nancy Darsch (234 wins at Ohio State University), the Storm boasted two of women’s college basketball’s all-time winningest coaches in attendance as guests.

Joan Bonvicini (626 wins) of Seattle University is a regular visitor, and had extra reason to check in Monday with two of her former players on the floor. Beyond Salley, Bonvicini also recruited second-round pick Ify Ibekwe to Arizona and coached her during Ibekwe’s freshman season. Former Virginia Head Coach Debbie Ryan (736 wins), who resigned her position after this season, was also in attendance. Storm Assistant Coach Jenny Boucek played for Ryan in college.

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