| |
 Perrot cheering Comets from sidelines
Posted: Saturday May 22, 1999 12:13 PM
NEW YORK (AP) -- The Houston Comets will play their first game without point guard Kim Perrot against the New York Liberty. Three months after brain surgery, Perrot will be in Houston Saturday cheering on the Comets. Perrot, who helped lead the Comets to consecutive WNBA championships, was diagnosed with lung and brain cancer in February. Perrot had planned to travel to New York with the team for the exhibition game at Madison Square Garden. But Perrot, on the injured-reserve list, decided against the trip Thursday night. "She didn't feel good enough to travel," Houston coach Van Chancellor said. "She's in good spirits and upbeat. She's been at practice inspiring us at every turn. But I think it's hard for her to watch us." Perrot has attended some practices and worked out on the treadmill and bicycle to build her strength, Chancellor said. The 32-year-old Perrot had surgery to remove a golf ball-sized cancerous brain tumor and received radiation to shrink other brain tumors. A recent MRI showed the brain tumors were gone, said Houston media director Megan Bonifice. "If anyone will beat it, Kim will," said the Liberty's Teresa Weatherspoon, who played against Perrot in college in Louisiana. Doctors have said the fact that the cancer did not originate in her brain makes that part of her illness easier to treat. Even on the sidelines, Perrot provides leadership. "She gets on us about defense, specifically," league MVP Cynthia Cooper said. "She's the one that provides the spark and motivation. "She's going to be with the team on and off and make some road trips. Hopefully, she'll be out there on the court with us soon." Jennifer Rizzotti and Sonja Henning will compete for Perrot's starting guard spot. "We're definitely going to miss Kim at the beginning of the season," Sheryl Swoopes said. "I love Jennifer and Sonja, they've been doing a good job for us. But Kim did so much. She would create for somebody else, penetrate and dish or make the extra pass. "If it's meant for her to come back and play, we'll be here supporting her. We'll definitely welcome her back with open arms. We just have to hope and pray for the best." Perrot decided to postpone chemotherapy for lung cancer so she can work on strength and conditioning, Bonifice said. "She will have a stress test to see how her heart is doing," Bonifice said. "She's had light supervised workouts in the training room." Perrot, of Lafayette, La., and Weatherspoon developed a friendly rivalry when they played against each other in the Sun Belt Conference. Perrot played for Southwestern Louisiana and Weatherspoon for Louisiana Tech. "It was always a feisty game, but afterward we always had a hug and a smile," Weatherspoon said. Perrot averaged 8.5 points, 4.7 assists and 2.80 steals in the WNBA last season, second to Weatherspoon. She finished runner-up to Weatherspoon for defensive player of the year. Weatherspoon spoke to Perrot after her surgery. "In between the four lines we're competitors," Weatherspoon said. "But with what Kim is going through, there was nothing more important than me telling her that `I love you and wish you well.'" A recent fundraiser by Houston Rockets owner Leslie Alexander raised $400,000 for "Kim's Place." The Houston facility will provide families of children with cancer a place to stay with others facing similar medical challenges.
| |||||||||||||||||
Copyright © 1999 CNN/SI. A Time Warner Company. Terms under which this service is provided to you.
| |||||||||||||||||
