Howdy,

The Sun just couldn't help themselves when Jessica Moore ended up on the waiver wire - they just had to have another Alaskan.

"I know, right," Moore said after Saturday's 89-73 win over Washington. "With (fellow Alaskan) Kelsey (Griffin) here, it's awesome.

"Alaska is taking over."

El Sol had been looking to add post depth when Moore was waived last Wednesday by Indiana.

Teams have to wait 48 hours for a player to clear waivers, and Connecticut claimed Moore Friday. It made for a hectic weekend as Moore flew in to Bradley International Airport Saturday afternoon and was rushed to Mohegan Sun Arena for that night's game.

"It's been crazy how things happen, but that's how the league goes," Moore said. "It's my seventh season, so I'm used to the ups-and-downs of everything.

"To be coming back to Connecticut, it's amazing. It's kind of like a dream come true, really. I feel like this is a second home for me. Coming back is like a homecoming.

"I'm really excited to be here playing for Coach T, who's just an amazing coach, and being with Asjha (Jones) again, it's just really awesome."

■ ■ ■ ■

WNBA teams may carry only 11 players, so Kerri Gardin was waived to make room for Moore.

Gardin was a good story and, most importantly to the Sun, a good teammate. She was drafted in 2006 by Chicago in the the third round (34th overall out of 42 picks). She was cut before the start of that season. She signed a training camp contract with Seattle the following year and was again cut before the regular season.

Gardin signed with Connecticut in 2008 and earned herself a job. She even began that season as a starter.

Offensively, Gardin was limited, but she always played hard and was comfortable with her role as a reserve.

The thing I'll always remember about Gardin was her play in the second game of the 2008 season at New York.

Background - the consensus opinion that year was that Connecticut would stink. Nykesha Sales left the WNBA. Indianapolis native Katie Douglas had her request to be traded to Indiana granted. Margo Dydek was pregnant. Reserve Le'Coe Willingham signed a contract with Phoenix.

The Sun finished second during the regular season (21-13), beginning with wins on Saturday and Sunday on opening weekend.

Connecticut beat New York on Sunday, 77-63. Gardin started and had modest offensive numbers (she shot 2-of-3 and scored six), but her tenacity and defense resulted in a game-high seven rebounds and three steals.

After watching her create yet another turnover, my brain was screaming, "who is this person, why is she starting, and how is she being so disruptive?"

Also began wondering if the Sun had found their equivalent of Dennis Rodman.

Gardin played three years with Connecticut. Here's hoping she catches on with another team.

■ ■ ■ ■

One other (useless) memory of that May 18th day at New York - Jolene Anderson.

There was a play where Connecticut was in transition with a numbers disadvantage. Anderson, then a rookie, got the ball on the run and, without hesitation, threw up and nailed a 3-pointer.

Mentioned to her after the game that one isn't supposed to do something like that when the numbers aren't in their favor

Then Sun-guard Jamie Carey, standing nearby, interjected, "not on this team."

■ ■ ■ ■

Follow-up on Chicago's Epiphanny Prince - she won't be playing for Russia at this month's EuroBasket Women's tournament.

The Associated Press reported this weekend that the Russian Federation told Prince she wouldn't be used in the tournament. She plays professionally in that county during the WNBA offseason and has citizenship there. There's a chance she could compete for Russia next year at the London Olympics.

■ ■ ■ ■

The first thing one saw when they walked into Mohegan Sun Arena were banners hanging from the ceiling with a picture of the late Margo Dydek.

It made one both smile and have their heart sink.

The banners were one of several ways Connecticut paid tribute to its former center Saturday. Her number 12 was on the padding underneath both baskets. Sun players will wear a patch this year with her number on it. A tribute video was shown before the game that was wonderfully done, too.

Many good folks went above-and-beyond to contribute to the video. Head coach Mike Thibault, assistant Scott Hawk, general manager Chris Sienko and Jones were all filmed for the tribute.

Former Sun players Debbie Black (who also played with Margo with the now defunct Utahh Starrz), Carey, Douglas and Sales all wanted to send in their video tributes, too.

Ohio State and USA Basketball helped Black and Carey, respectively.

Minnesota played at Indiana last Tuesday, so Douglas and Whalen were able to be filmed at the same location with help from Indiana Fever media relations director Kevin Messenger.

Sales lives in Orlando. The Orlando Magic, on short notice, arranged to film her thoughts.

There was a lot of video that couldn't be squeezed into three minutes. Had everything aired, it might have lasted longer than a Sox-Yankees game on ESPN. Connecticut plans to upload them soon.

All the video was pieced together by Brennan Galloway, the Sun's Game Operations Manager.

The video can be found here.

Fair warning - a photo was included of Margo shortly after she gave birth to one of her sons.

You'll feel like a fork has been stuck in your heart.

The Sun will be collecting cards and notes to send to Margo's family at next Sunday's game. Fans can put them in drop boxes along the concourse.

Vaya con dios….