Lady Vols star cleared to play in Final Four

By MIKE ORGAN • Staff Writer (Tennessean) • April 3, 2008 Candace Parker and the Lady Vols got good news on Thursday when the injured All-American was cleared to play in the women’s Final Four. Doctors said Parker has a non-traumatic dislocation of her left shoulder but can play wearing a shoulder brace in Tennessee’s NCAA semifinal game against LSU on Sunday at 8:30 p.m. in Tampa, Fla. Parker practiced with the Lady Vols on Thursday before the team left for Tampa. “Following further evaluation and consultation with Dr. Greg Nathien and Dr. Matt Rappe, Candace was found to have a non-traumatic shoulder dislocation,’’ Lady Vols athletic trainer Jenny Moshak said. “She has very good range of motion and very good strength. She has been cleared to play and will wear a shoulder brace.” Parker will continue daily rehabilitation on her shoulder, according to Moshak. The Lady Vols will have a closed practice today at a high school and an open practice Saturday at St. Pete Times Forum, the Final Four site. Parker’s left shoulder became dislocated twice in the first half of Tuesday’s Oklahoma City regional championship game against Texas A&M. Wearing a shoulder sleeve she was able to return to the game and play the last 10:39, helping the Lady Vols to a 53-45 victory. Parker led UT to a 61-55 win over LSU in the Southeastern Conference Tournament championship at Sommet Center by scoring 28 points, grabbing six rebounds and blocking three shots. LSU beat Tennessee 78-62 in the regular season, Feb. 14 in Knoxville, as Parker scored 26 points and got 10 rebounds. In four NCAA Tournament games, Parker has averaged 24.5 points and 7.5 rebounds.