|
|
1997 SEASON
 |
| |
| 1997 ROSTER |
| Num |
Name |
From |
| 14 |
Katasha Artis |
Northeastern '95 |
| 23 |
Vicky Bullett |
Maryland '89 |
| 3 |
Andrea Congreaves |
Mercer College '93 |
| 43 |
Susie Hopson-Shelton |
Mars Hill '96 |
| 11 |
Nicole Levesque |
Wake Forest '94 |
| 50 |
Sharon Manning |
NC State '91 |
| 51 |
Rhonda Mapp |
NC State '92 |
| 24 |
Penny Moore |
Long Beach State '91 |
| 30 |
Tia Paschal |
Florida State '93 |
| 32 |
Andrea Stinson |
NC State '91 |
| 7 |
Tora Suber |
Virginia '97 |
| Head Coach |
Marynell Meadors |
|
|
|
On October 30, 1996, the City of Charlotte is awarded one of the eight inaugural WNBA franchises.
Local basketball product Andrea Stinson along with Vicky Bullett become the first players in franchise history as they are allocated to the Sting on January 22.
The Sting make their first ever draft choices selecting Rhonda Mapp in the first round of the Elite Draft on February 27and Tora Suber in the first-ever WNBA Draft on April 28, 1997.
The Sting take the court for the first time on June 22 as they face the Mercury in Phoenix. In front of 16, 102 fans, Andrea Stinson scores 18 points, but the Sting fall 76-59.
On June 29, fans welcome the Sting to the Queen City as the team plays their first game at the Charlotte Coliseum. The Sting win the game defeating the Cleveland Rockers 67-44.
Behind 15 points from Rhonda Mapp, the Sting post a narrow 64-61 victory over the Liberty in New York on July 26 to capture the first road win in franchise history.
On August 16, 18,937 fans fill the Charlotte Coliseum to witness the Sting defeat the Houston Comets 80-71. It is the largest crowd in Sting history.
The Sting conclude their inaugural season with a 70-52 win over the Utah Starzz at the Charlotte Coliseum. The team finishes with an impressive 12-2 record at home.
The Sting advance to the first round of the playoffs but fall to the eventual champion Houston Comets, 70-54.
Andrea Stinson finishes as the leading scorer averaging 15.7 points while dishing out 4.4 assists. Rhonda Mapp is the leading rebounder posting 6.4 boards.
|
|
