For Van Chancellor, the positive aspect of coaching so many smart, experienced players on the U.S. women’s basketball team is that they often act like coaches on the floor. They also act like coaches in the locker room and during timeouts, never hesitating to offer suggestions. “Sometimes, at halftime, the coach can get a word in edgewise,” he said wryly. They put their words into action Monday, devising ways to overcome the team’s second successive slow start. Capitalizing on their defensive prowess and rebounding strength, the U.S. women played with the kind of energy and selflessness their male counterparts have lacked and rallied for an 80-61 victory over the Czech Republic at the Helliniko Indoor Arena. “Overall, we came out and executed and did the things we wanted to do,” said Sheryl Swoopes, who scored all seven of her points in the second half. Eleven of the 12 players scored, led by Lisa Leslie’s 15 points and a game-high 10 rebounds.
