Camp Begins for Experienced StingRays

The Long Beach StingRays of the American Basketball League begin preseason practice today at Long Beach State.

Coach Maura McHugh will guide the women’s team through two-a-day drills, before going to Seattle for an exhibition game with the Reign on Sept. 20.

Two other road exhibitions are scheduled, against Colorado at Austin, Texas, Sept. 28; and against Atlanta at Chattanooga, Tenn., Oct. 5.

The StingRays begin their 44-game regular season Oct. 17 against the San Jose Lasers at the club’s home arena, Long Beach State’s 4,200-seat Pyramid.

McHugh’s team has three 6-foot-4 players and seven who have played at least three pro seasons overseas. It recently added speed by acquiring former Long Beach State guard Dana Wilkerson from Philadelphia.

The team will be without its two front-line standouts, No. 1 ABL draft pick Yolanda Griffith and Olympian Venus Lacy, who are in Colorado Springs, trying out for the U.S. national team that will compete next year in the World Championships.

If both make the team, McHugh won’t have them until Sept. 23 at the earliest.

StingRays’ roster:

Centers: Yolanda Griffith, 6-4; Ingrid Dixon, 6-3; Cass Bauer, 6-4.

Forwards: Clarissa Davis-Wrightsill, 6-1; Trisha Stafford, 6-1; Necole Tunsil, 6-1.

Guards: Dena Evans, 5-5; Nicky McCrimmon, 5-8; Andrea Nagy, 5-7; Jenni Ruff, 5-11; Dana Wilkerson, 5-6; Beverly Williams, 5-9.