2005 Record 6-28, .176 (6th in East) Award Winners & Honorees All-Star Dawn Staley 2005 Draft Recap Rd. 1 - 1, Janel McCarville Rd. 2 - 24, Jessica Moore Playoff History Six out of nine years Last Appearance 2003, lost in first round

Sam

The Sting's two major acquisition's last summer turned out to be their two best players on the court. Forward Tangela Smith, a trade acquisition from Sacramento led the team in scoring (13.6 ppg) and steals (1.65 spg), while finishing a close second in rebounds (5.2) and blocks (1.03).

Guard/forward Sheri Sam ranked second in scoring (11.4) and 18th in the WNBA in steals (1.29) after being signed as a free agent following a championship with the Storm.

Head coach Trudi Lacey decided it would be best for the franchise if she opted for an exclusive role in the front office rather than juggling two positions at once. Well-respected 14-year NBA veteran point guard Muggsy Bogues took over her position on the bench, and figures to grow with the organization.

Charlotte finished with the worst record in the league, compiling six wins and 28 losses. It wasn't until the second to last game of the 2005 campaign -- versus New York Aug. 25 -- that the Sting were able to get a win on the road.

The team was without a veteran presence in the backcourt. Allison Feaster left the team midseason because of her pregnancy to her since-born daughter. The development left a gaping hole at shooting guard.

The point guard spot was absent of talent as well. Two-thirds into her seventh season with the Sting, starting playmaker Dawn Staley, a staple of the franchise since 1999, was dealt to Houston.

Head Coach -Muggsy Bogues 2005 Starting Lineup -G- Helen Darling -G- Allison Feaster -F- Sheri Sam -F- Tangela Smith -C- Tammy Sutton-Brown Key 2005 Reserves -Adrienne Goodson -Jia Perkins -Kristen Rasmussen Key Losses -Jia Perkins -Tynesha Lewis -Dawn Staley

McCarville

2005 WNBA Draft No. 1 overall selection Janel McCarville had a quiet season, posting 1.8 points and 2.7 rebounds in 11.1 minutes per game. Her transition was slowed though as she suffered a lower back sprain after seeing just three minutes of action in her second WNBA game. The injury would end up causing her to miss five games.

"I know what I got beat on and did wrong during the season," she told the Rapids Daily Tribune following the season. "You have obstacles in your way in life that you have to overcome."

Will McCarville play with the fiery passion needed to succeed in the WNBA?

Pivot Tammy Sutton-Brown saw her shot-blocking production slip from 2.09 per game in 2004 to 1.09 in 2005, and she hasn't averaged double-figures since a WNBA All-Star season in 2002. The Sting need her to become an imposing presence in the paint if McCarville doesn't fill that role.

Finally, the Sting's backcourt is the club's biggest question mark. Starting spots are up for grabs, especially because Feaster's projected contributions next season are anybody's guess following the February birth of her newborn.