Charlotte Sting weekly

May 17, 2004 - Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Charlotte Sting News Release


Experience Sting Basketball
The Sting are inviting everyone to come experience Sting basketball as they host the Chinese National Team at the Bobcats Basketball Center on Tuesday, May 18. Admission to the game is FREE!

Opening Night
The Sting will open their eighth season on Friday, May 21 at 7:00 p.m. against the Houston Comets. The first 5,000 fans will receive t-shirts courtesy of BET. Half-time will feature the Beale Street Flippers and a step show will take place immediately after the game. A Fan Fest featuring inflatable games and contests will begin at 5:30 p.m.

Home Cooking
The Sting finished the 2003 season tied with Detroit and Seattle for the second best home record in the league at 13-4. The only team to finish with a better record was the Houston Comets who finished the season with a 14-3 home record. The Sting are 69-41 all-time when playing at home.

Sting Re-launch Website
The Sting will re-launch their official website, www.charlottesting.com, on Monday, May 17. Designed by Wray Ward Laseter, the new website is modeled after the Sting ad campaign which depicts the players and coaches at their highest level of competition. The re-designed site will serve as the ultimate source for the latest and greatest Sting information.

Trio of All-Americans
The Sting roster is the only one in the WNBA to feature three three-time Kodak All-Americans. Dawn Staley (1990, 1991, 1992), Nicole Powell (2002, 2003, 2004) and Kelly Mazzante (2002, 2003, 2004) are part of an elite group of 22 women who have won the award three or more times during their college career.

STING TICKETS
Sting tickets can be purchased at the Charlotte Coliseum box office, at www.charlottesting.com, by calling 704-424-WNBA or through Ticketmaster at 1-877-WNBA-TIX. Tickets start as low as $10.

OVER THE AIRWAVES
Don't miss a moment of Sting basketball this season. Every Sting game can be heard live on WNMX-MIX 106. Calling the games will be Sam Smith, who returns for his second season with the Sting.

ON TV
Catch the Sting on WJZY-UPN 46 on July 18 at 4:00 p.m. as they travel to New York to face the Liberty and on July 31 at 10:00 p.m. as they play the Monarchs in Sacramento. The Sting will conclude their season on ESPN2 at 2:00 p.m. as they travel to Detroit on September 19.

This Week's Opponents

Chinese National TeamPreseason GameTue., May 18 5:30 p.m. (EST)Bobcats Basketball CenterAdmission is FREERadio: None TV: NoneNotes: This will be the first time the Sting will face a non-WNBA opponent...China began their US tour with a scrimmage against the Seattle Storm before heading out to play three WNBA teams in preseason action....China defeated the Connecticut Sun on May 8, 87-85, in overtime...The team will play the Detroit Shock on May 17 before heading to Charlotte to face the Sting on May 18.The Chinese National Team features Sui FeiFei, voted with Yao Ming as China's most popular basketball players in 2003, Ye Li, the girlfriend of Houston Rockets center Yao Ming, along with Miao Lijie and Chen Luyun.

Houston CometsFri., May 21 7:00 p.m. (EST)Charlotte ColiseumRadio: WNMX-MIX 106 TV: NoneHouston 2004 Record:Sting vs. Comets:All-Time Record: 4-11 2004 Record:Notes: Houston's roster features two-time MVP Sheryl Swoopes along with perennial All-Star Tina Thompson and last season's Most Improved Player, Michelle Snow...The Comets are coached by three-time WNBA Coach of the Year, Van Chancellor...Three members of the Comets will be representing the United States at the 2004 Olympic Games, Sheryl Swoopes and Tina Thompson will join Sting guard Dawn Staley as players and Van Chancellor will serve as coach of the 2004 USA Women's Olympic Basketball Team....Tina Thompson led the Comets in scoring in 2003 averaging 16.9 points per game.

Washington MysticsSat., May 22 6:00 p.m. (EST)MCI CenterRadio: WNMX-MIX 106 TV: NoneWashington 2004 Record:Sting vs. Mystics:All-Time Record: 13-8 2004 Record:Notes: The Sting defeated the Mystics in the preseason, 56-51, at the Bobcats Basketball Center on May 14, 2004... Chamique Holdsclaw led the Mystics in scoring in 2003 averaging 20.5 points per game.... The Sting's largest regular season victory ever (105-69) came against the Mystics on August 19, 1998 at the MCI Center...The Mystics have four players on their roster who played college ball in the Carolinas -Chasity Melvin (NC State), Alana Beard (Duke), Kaayla Jones (NC State), and Jocelyn Penn (South Carolina).



Women's National Basketball Association Stories from May 17, 2004


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