North Carolina State University Athletics
Former Wolfpack Guards Giving Charlotte Some Sting
6/30/2003 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
June 30, 2003
By Tony Haynes
Raleigh, N.C.-It's not quite an NC State reunion, but it's awfully close. Every time the WNBA's Charlotte Sting takes the floor this season, coach Kay Yow's Wolfpack program is well represented by three former Wolfpack guards. Coached by Trudi Lacey, Charlotte is also benefiting from the contributions of Andrea Stinson and Tynesha Lewis. Following an 0-4 start, the Sting has won eight of its last 12 outings to get back into the playoff picture.
As usual, Stinson continues to be one of the WNBA's most versatile players. One of only four players in league history to have scored better than 2,000 points, she is averaging 11.5 points and 5.20 rebounds this season. Stinson was also recently honored for her off-court contributions when world-renowned poet Maya Angelou presented her with a prestigious award for community involvement.
"I think community involvement is very important," said Stinson. "I grew up here. I think anyone who makes it and is successful in what they love to do should share it with others."
In leading the Sting to its sixth straight home win on Saturday night--a 69-55 victory over Connecticut--Stinson tallied 15 points and nine rebounds.
After being placed on waivers by Houston prior to the season, Lewis has found new life in Charlotte. Originally a second round draft pick of the Comets in the 2001 draft, the third-year pro signed with the Sting on June 2. Following a slow start, Lewis gave Charlotte a lift in last Wednesday's 61-50 win over Cleveland, scoring five points and grabbing four rebounds in 20 minutes on the floor.
"Coming from Houston, it was going from organized chaos to (Charlotte's) structure," Lewis told the Charlotte Observer when asked about making the transition to a new system. "I appreciate coach Lacey sticking with me and believing in me, because I was lost. Coach Lacey did tell me when I got here, 'you will play defense, end of story.'
And when the coach speaks, Lewis listens, especially since Lacey is the only player in ACC history to have earned first-team All-ACC honors four consecutive years.
Interestingly, the college careers of the three NC State products were separated by 10-year intervals. Now, Lacey (1981), Stinson (1991) and Lewis (2001) are together in Charlotte for what is almost a Wolfpack family reunion.
