CHARLOTTE STING Charlotte landed possibly the best class in the 1999 draft, which after a second-place finish in the Eastern Conference, should send it into title contention. Dawn Staley, the Sting's first-round pick, has the talent and personality to take the team to the title series. A gold-medal winner in the 1996 Olympics and a star in the ABL, she is one of the most exciting players to watch. She averaged 13.2 points a game for the Rage in 1998. "I think we got a true point guard in Dawn Staley," coach Marynell Meadors said. "She has brought leadership, consistent outside shooting, and most importantly -- she's a well-respected point guard and everyone is taking her cues." "Our market in Charlotte is a little fickle sometimes, but as soon as we drafted Staley our phones started ringing," Meadors said. "We think she'll put the fans in the stands." The Sting landed another big name, Stephanie White-McCarty, who won the 1999 NCAA title with Purdue, in the draft. Even though she is fresh out of college, White-McCarty has the mental and physical maturity to make an immediate impact in Charlotte. "I talked to Carolyn Peck about Stephanie, and she's everything Carolyn said and more," Meadors said. "And I don't think she's come into her own yet." The Sting also drafted Charlotte Smith, whose basket at the buzzer gave North Carolina the 1994 NCAA title, and Angie Braziel, the Big 12 Player of the Year in 1999. SI for Women bottom line: Staley's creaky knees kept her around long enough for the Sting to draft her at No. 9. If her body holds up, Charlotte is a virtual lock for the conference title. ROSTER No. 4   23 33 41 24 50 51 22 00   10   32 7     Name Cass Bauer Angie Braziel Vicky Bullett Sonia Chase Pollyanna Johns Niesa Johnson Sharon Manning Rhonda Mapp Tia Paschal Tracy Reid Charlotte Smith Christy Smith Dawn Staley Andrea Stinson Tora Suber S. White-McCarty Pos. F F F G C G C C F F F G G G G G HT 6-4 6-2 6-3 5-9 6-2 5-9 6-3 6-2 6-1 5-11 6-0 5-7 5-6 5-10 5-7 5-11

SCHEDULE Jun. 10 -- at Washington, 7 p.m. Jun. 12 -- New York, 7:30 p.m. Jun. 19 -- Los Angeles, 7:30 p.m. Jun. 22 -- at Detroit, 7:30 p.m. Jun. 24 -- Phoenix, 7:30 p.m. Jun. 25 -- at Cleveland, 7 p.m. Jun. 27 -- at New York, 4 p.m. Jun. 30 -- Washington, 7:30 p.m. Jul. 3 -- at Orlando, 7:30 p.m. Jul. 7 -- Cleveland, 7:30 p.m. Jul. 9 -- Orlando, 7:30 p.m. Jul. 12 -- at Washington, 7 p.m. Jul. 10 -- at Cleveland, 7 p.m. Jul. 16 -- at Orlando, 7:30 p.m. Jul. 17 -- Washington, 7:30 p.m. Jul. 19 -- Utah, 7:30 p.m. Jul. 21 -- Minnesota, 7:30 p.m. Jul. 23 -- Houston, 7:30 p.m. Jul. 25 -- at Detroit, 5 p.m. Jul. 26 -- at New York, 7:30 p.m. Jul. 28 -- Detroit, 7:30 p.m. Jul. 30 -- New York, 7:30 p.m. Jul. 31 -- at Minnesota, 8 p.m. Aug. 2 -- Cleveland, 7:30 p.m. Aug. 4 -- Sacramento, 7:30 p.m. Aug. 6 -- at Houston, 8:30 p.m. Aug. 7 -- Orlando, 7:30 p.m. Aug. 9 -- at Utah, 9 p.m. Aug. 13 -- at Sacramento, 10 p.m. Aug. 15 -- at Phoenix, 10 p.m. Aug. 16 -- at Los Angeles, 10:30 p.m. Aug. 20 -- Detroit, 8 p.m. Coach: Marynell Meadors (third season with Charlotte) Top returning players: Guard Andrea Stinson (15.0 points per game), forward Tracy Reid (13.8 ppg) Key newcomers: G Dawn Staley (from the ABL's Philadelphia Rage), G-F Stephanie White-McCarty (Purdue) 1998 record and finish: 18-12, second in Eastern Arena: Charlotte Coliseum Average home attendance: 8, 561 Colors: Teal and purple