Long Beach Gains Vote of Confidence

ABL chief Gary Cavalli said the other day that his league’s commitment to Long Beach is “multi-season,” but that the Long Beach StingRays could play three to six games next season at Arrowhead Pond of Anaheim.

A crowd of 6,006--2,300 more than any the team had drawn at Long Beach State’s Pyramid--watched the StingRays beat New England at the Pond on Saturday, prompting Cavalli’s statement.

“We will be in Long Beach next year,” Cavalli said. “But we might also play some games at the Pond.”

Cavalli said there has been no discussion of moving the StingRays to Dallas, Long Island or Nashville, areas he has identified as possible expansion sites for next season.

He was responding to speculation here that there was a limit to ABL patience with Long Beach’s attendance--the worst in the league. There is precedence for such a move. The ABL moved the Rage from Richmond to Philadelphia because of poor attendance in Virginia.

“Totally different situation,” Cavalli said. “Richmond was a small market. We’re not leaving the Southern California market--it’s too important to us.”

ABL crowds are less than half those of the WNBA, but the ABL is learning it might catch up faster by playing in big league venues.

Besides the StingRays’ bigger turnout at the Pond last week, the Philadelphia Rage also drew more than 6,000 at Temple University’s new Apollo Arena.

The San Jose Lasers draw twice as many at the 18,000-seat San Jose Arena as at San Jose State’s 4,550-seat Event Center. The same is true with the New England Blizzard at 15,200-seat Hartford Civic Center, versus the 8,600-seat Springfield Civic Center.

PLAYOFF BOUND

Actually, the StingRays are going someplace. The playoffs, looks like.

If the regular season ended today--it ends Feb. 17--first-place Long Beach (19-12) would be seeded second, behind Eastern Conference leader Columbus (24-7).

In the six-team playoff format, four other teams will be seeded, based on their records. No. 3 and No. 6 will play a best-of-three series, as will Nos. 4 and 5.

The winners advance to the semifinals against the conference champions, who will have home-court advantage.

THE COLLEGE SCENE

It used to be OK to say the “mighty” Stanford women were coming to town.

Well, they’re coming to town this weekend . . . but looking mighty peaked.

Stanford started 0-2 and is dragging around a 6-5 record after its 48-game Pacific 10 winning streak ended against Arizona in Tucson on Monday, 91-90.

A participant in the last three Final Fours and winner of the last three Pac-10 championships, the Cardinal arrives at USC (1-3) Friday night tied for second with UCLA at 3-1. Stanford plays at UCLA on Sunday afternoon.

Coach Tara VanDerveer is unhappy with her young point guards and the slow healing of Naomi Mulitauaopele’s right knee. Mulitauaopele had surgery a year ago and hasn’t played this season.

The good news for Stanford: 6-2 Kristin Folkl, arguably one of the best college players in the country, has rejoined the team, having completed her volleyball season. She had 21 points and 10 rebounds in the loss at Arizona.

SPREADING THE TALENT

That powerhouse Oregon City (Ore.) High girls’ basketball program has alumni starting nearly coast to coast.

At Vanderbilt, freshman point guard Ashley Smith, daughter of Oregon City Coach Brad Smith, is leading the Southeastern Conference in assists at 7.6 a game. Against Washington, she had 13.

She’s been so effective that Coach Jim Foster is comparing her to the ABL’s Debbie Black, coached by Foster at St. Joseph’s almost a decade ago.

“Debbie doesn’t have anywhere near the offensive skills Ashley has, but Debbie has an edge in intensity and commitment,” Foster said. “But Ashley will get there.”

Her prep teammate last year, 6-1 forward Brianne Meharry, is leading Oregon in scoring and rebounding and is shooting 56%.

And there are more on the way. Oregon City’s top player, 6-2 Lindsey Yamasaki, has signed with Stanford.

DUNKIN’ DIVERS

Here’s the roster of those entered in the ABL’s dunk contest Saturday in Orlando, the day before the All-Star game:

Kara Wolters, New England, 6-7; Sylvia Crawley, Colorado, 6-5; Sheila Frost, Portland, 6-4; Katryna Gaither, San Jose, 6-3; Linda Godby, Seattle, 6-6.