Charlotte Sting Weekly
August 30, 2004 - Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Charlotte Sting News Release
Sting News and Notes
Welcome Back Sting!
After taking a month-long hiatus for the Olympics, the Sting return to action this week with three key match-ups against Eastern Conference opponents (9/1 vs. Connecticut; 9/2 at New York and 9/4 vs. Detroit). The Sting will play 9 games in 19 days in September.
Golden Girl
Guard Dawn Staley captured her third gold medal as she helped lead the Team USA to a perfect 8-0 record in Olympic competition in Athens. Selected as the United States' captain and flag bearer for the opening ceremonies, Staley led her team with 14 points in the gold medal game and 2.9 assists per game. The Sting will welcome her back on Wednesday as they host the Connecticut Sun at 7 p.m.
Powell Performs Well
In the last four games, Nicole Powell has averaged 13.3 points and 4.3 rebounds for the Sting. During that stretch, she shot 47.4% (18-38) from the floor and 52.4% (11-21) from three-point range.
Powell Receives Community Assist Award
Sting rookie Nicole Powell was honored with the WNBA's Community Assist Award for July. Powell will be recognized for her work in the community on September 4 as the Sting host the Detroit Shock.
Race for the Eastern Conference Title
The race for the Eastern Conference crown is extremely close as only two games separate first and last place. Currently, New York sits atop the standings with a 13-12 record. Connecticut (13-14), Detroit (13-14) and Charlotte (12-13) are all tied for second and are just one game out of first place. Washington (12-14) sits 1.5 games behind New York while last place Indiana (12-15) is just two games out of first place.
Sting Add To Roster
The Sting singed two players to their roster in August: 2004 third round draft pick Jia Perkins and second-year players Teana Miller.
Back To School Night
The Sting will host Back To School Night on Saturday, September 4. The first 5,000 fans will receive backpacks filled with school supplies courtesy of Staples and Shoe Show. Fans are encouraged to bring school supplies to donate to Communities in Schools. Anyone making a donation will receive a "Buy one get one FREE" ticket offer for the September 9th game.
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 ESPN2 on September 19 at 2:00 p.m. as they face the Detroit Shock at The Palace of Auburn Hills.
Connecticut Sun
Wed., Sept. 1 7:00 p.m. (EST)
Charlotte Coliseum
Notes: The season series between the two clubs is tied at one game apiece with two games remaining...The Sting are 5-3 all-time against the Sun at the Charlotte Coliseum...Last meeting, the Sting had two players record double-doubles (Charlotte Smith Taylor 11 points, 10 rebounds and Tammy Sutton-Brown 10 points, 11 rebounds) marking just the third time in Sting history that two players have recorded double doubles in the same game...Nykesha Sales leads the Sun in scoring averaging 15.8 points per game...Other players averaging double figures for the Sun include Taj McWilliams-Franklin (12.1 ppg) and Katie Douglas (10.4 ppg)...Rookie Lindsay Whalen is third in the WNBA in assists averaging 5.2 assists per game.
New York Liberty
Thu., Sept. 2 7:30 p.m. (EST)
Radio City Music Hall
Notes: This will be the final match-up between the two teams this season...The game will take place at Radio City Music Hall due to the Republican National Convention which is being held at Madison Square Garden...The Sting are 4-10 all-time against the Liberty in New York...In their previous three meetings the Liberty shot 48.8% (80-164) from the field and 41.1% (23-56) from three-point range compared to 41.7% (70-168) from the field and 27.0% (10-27) from three-point range by the Sting...Becky Hammon leads the Liberty averaging 13.7 points and 4.4 assists per game...Elena Baranova (12.0 ppg), Crystal Robinson (11.3 ppg) and Vickie Johnson (10.7 ppg) also average double figures for the Liberty.
Detroit Shock
Sat., Sept. 4 6:00 p.m. (EST)
Charlotte Coliseum
Notes: The Sting are 6-5 all-time against the Shock at the Charlotte Coliseum...In their previous two meetings the Shock have outrebounded the Sting 73-49...Detroit leads the league in rebounding averaging 34.2 rebounds per game...Detroit is the third-highest scoring team in the league averaging 69.7 points per game...Charlotte is the top defensive team holding their opponents to 61.1 points per game... Swin Cash leads the Shock with 17.0 points per game, while Deanna Nolan (13.6 ppg) and Ruth Riley (11.4 ppg) also average double figures for the Shock...Shock forward Cheryl Ford is second in the WNBA in with 9.4 rebounds per game... Swin Cash and Ruth Riley joined Dawn Staley on the gold medal team in Athens.
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