All-Star Starters Announced 
New York, July 8 -- Results of the fan voting for All-Stars have been announced with Chamique Holdsclaw tallying the most votes. She will be joined by Mystic teammate Nikki McCray, and New Yorkers Teresa Weatherspoon, Tari Phillips, and Vickie Johnson in the East. For the West Comets' Tina Thompson and Janeth Arcain join up with Monarchs' Ruthie Bolton-Holifield, Yolanda Griffith, and Ticha Penicheiro. The game will be played July 16th in Orlando with television coverage by ESPN at 8 PM.
EAST
Forwards: Chamique Holdsclaw (Wash) 105,006; Vickie Johnson (NY) 45,769; Sheri Sam (Mia) 41,223; Vicky Bullett (Wash) 39,566; Elena Baranova (Mia) 32,888; Taj McWilliams-Franklin (Orl) 27,215; Shalonda Enis (Cha) 23,245; Eva Nemcova (Cle) 19,192; Stephanie McCarty (Ind) 18,273; Chasity Melvin (Cle) 16,515; Rushia Brown (Cle) 12,360; Astou Ndiaye-Diatta (Det) 9,030; Alicia Thompson (Ind) 9,025; Monica Maxwell (Ind) 7,699; Deanna Nolan (Det) 7,015
Centers: Tari Phillips (NY) 63,149; Ruth Riley (Mia) 53,548; Murriel Page (Wash) 39,686; 25,261; Cintia dos Santos (Orl) 23,914; Wendy Palmer (Det) 15,271
Guards: Teresa Weatherspoon (NY) 75,349; Nikki McCray (Wash) 57,280; Dawn Staley (Cha) 49,982; Becky Hammon (NY) 41,062; Sandy Brondello (Mia) 36,696; Debbie Black (Mia) 33,388; Tonya Edwards (Cha) 27,774; Andrea Stinson (Cha) 27,748; Nykesha Sales (Orl) 25,731; Merlakia Jones (Cle) 21,354; Shannon Johnson (Orl) 15,991; Kelly Miller (Cha) 14,151; Crystal Robinson (NY) 10,446; Rita Williams (Ind) 9,936; Dominique Canty (Det) 6,230; Gordana Grubin (Ind) 4,969
WEST
Forwards: Tina Thompson (Hou) 93,901; Ruthie Bolton-Holifield (Sac) 53,466; Katie Smith (Min) 40,239; Natalie Williams (Utah) 32,197; Amanda Lassiter (Hou) 28,237; Tangela Smith (Sac) 26,157; Mwadi Mabika (LA) 25,473; DeLisha Milton (LA) 21,377; Sylvia Crawley (Por) 18,331; Michelle Edwards (Sea) 16,551; LaQuanda Barksdale (Por) 11,791; Kamila Vodichkova (Sea) 8,681; Adrienne Goodson (Utah) 7,669; Alisa Burras (Por) 7,291
Centers: Yolanda Griffith (Sac) 61,307; Lisa Leslie (LA) 54,412; Jennifer Gillom (Pho) 34,927; Tiffani Johnson (Hou) 31,158; Lauren Jackson (Sea) 20,043; Margo Dydek (Utah) 15,309
Guards: Janeth Arcain (Hou) 70,107; Ticha Penicheiro (Sac) 48,801; Jackie Stiles (Por) 46,095; Coquese Washington (Hou) 39,692; Michele Timms (Pho) 30,158; Sophia Witherspoon (Por) 29,428; Kedra Holland-Corn (Sac) 27,944; Jennifer Azzi (Utah) 24,270; Tamecka Dixon (LA) 22,954; Betty Lennox (Min) 17,657; Ukari Figgs (LA) 15,441; Korie Hlede (Utah) 11,092; Kristi Harrower (Min) 10,380; Sonja Henning (Sea) 8,080
WNBA.com: Stiles Player of the Week Stiles averaged 22.0 points, 3.7 rebounds and 4.0 assists for the Fire (8-4), shooting 53.7 percent from the field and 57.1 percent beyond the three-point arc.
In a 61-57 loss to the Cleveland Rockers on June 26, Stiles led all scorers with 22 points and seven rebounds, and shot 4-for-6 from the three-point line. On June 27, Stiles again finished with a game-high 26 points and dished out four assists in the Fire's 68-65 victory over the Indiana Fever. Tallying her fifth consecutive game in double figures, Stiles registered 16 points and shot 5-for-5 from the free throw line as Portland edged the Miami Sol 74-72 in overtime on June 29.
Other candidates for WNBA Player of the Week were Charlotte's Tammy Sutton-Brown, Cleveland's Merlakia Jones, Detroit's Dominique Canty, Houston's Tina Thompson, Indiana's Rita Williams, Los Angeles' Latasha Byears, Minnesota's Katie Smith, New York's Vickie Johnson, Phoenix's Jennifer Gillom and Washington's Chamique Holdsclaw.
WNBA.com: McHugh Takes Monarch Reigns SACRAMENTO, Calif., June 25 -- The Sacramento Monarchs announced Monday that Sonny Allen has resigned his post as head coach, effective immediately. The team also announced that Assistant Coach Maura McHugh takes over head coaching duties, beginning Monday.
"Though we are at .500, I hated losing more than I enjoyed winning," said Allen. "When you are coaching, you reach a point when you decide it's time to retire. This is never an easy decision for a coach or player. Right now is the right time for me. I appreciate the support of the entire organization -- the Maloofs, Jerry Reynolds, John Thomas and the team -- but my decision stems from the stress I have put upon myself."
In 2½ seasons with the Monarchs, Allen compiled a 46-30 record, and led the team to the WNBA Playoffs for the first time in 1999 and again in 2000. In his more than six decades of coaching, Allen tallied a 613-383 record (1959 through this season) and has coached at levels from high school to professional.
Allen leaves the Monarchs with a 6-6 record, coming off a 2-1 road trip and the return of Ticha Penicheiro from a left ankle injury.
"We are extremely appreciative of the outstanding job Sonny did for our team," said Monarchs General Manager Jerry Reynolds. "Sonny provided a consistent winner in the team. It is a sad day, but we do understand and want to honor his resignation."
Reynolds continued, "Fortunately, with a gifted and talented coach in Maura McHugh, the transition is smoother than it normally would be. Maura is a proven winner as a head coach and has gained valuable experience as an assistant to Sonny. We think that good things are ahead for the Monarchs."
McHugh joined the Monarchs as an assistant to Allen prior to the 1999 season after serving as director of player personnel for the ABL in 1998-99. As head coach of the ABL's Long Beach StingRays in the 1997-98 season, McHugh guided the expansion team (which included Monarchs forward/center Yolanda Griffith to a 32-22 record, just one game shy of the ABL championship.
Compiling a career head coaching record of 249-157, McHugh's experience includes coaching such schools as Arizona State, University of Oklahoma and Penn State.
"I have enjoyed working with Sonny over the last 2½ years," said McHugh." I know that this will be a big challenge; it's a very tough league this year. However, I feel we have a great franchise, top management and a superb group of players. I am very confident that the rest of the coaching staff (Jim Les, Steve Shuman) will help me get through this transition period."
"Joe and I would like to thank Sonny for his dedication to the Monarchs for the last 2½ seasons," said Maloof Sports and Entertainment owner Gavin Maloof. "Coach Allen brought the team to the playoffs and instilled a winning attitude. We are sad to lose him as a head coach, but are confident that the talent of Maura McHugh, combined with the players, will make the Monarchs a championship caliber team."
WNBA.com: Mystics to Host in 2002
NEW YORK, June 25 -- The Washington Mystics have been selected to host the 2002 WNBA All-Star Game, which will be held at the MCI Center.
"We are very excited to be showcasing the WNBA's brightest stars in our nation's capital," said WNBA President Val Ackerman. "Mystics fans have shown an incredible amount of enthusiasm for women's professional basketball, and it is fitting that we share with them one of our premier events."
The event will mark the league's fourth All-Star Game. WNBA All-Star 2001 will be hosted by the Orlando Miracle at the TD Waterhouse Centre on Monday, July 16, and will be televised nationally on ESPN beginning at 8 p.m. EDT.
The Phoenix Mercury hosted the 2000 WNBA All-Star Game at America West Arena before 17,717 fans. The Western Conference All-Stars defeated the Eastern Conference squad 73-61, as Tina Thompson of the Houston Comets was named Most Valuable Player. The New York Liberty hosted the Inaugural WNBA All-Star Game in 1999, which drew 18,649 fans to Madison Square Garden. Lisa Leslie was the MVP after leading the West to a 79-61 victory.
"We are thrilled with this opportunity," said Washington Sports and Entertainment Chairman Abe Pollin. "When the Mystics joined the WNBA family in 1998, we sought to embrace the excitement surrounding women's professional basketball. To be selected to host the WNBA All-Star Game represents the fulfillment of that vision."
The Washington Wizards have played host to three NBA All-Star Games: in 1969 in Baltimore as the Baltimore Bullets; in 1980 in Landover, Md., as the Washington Bullets; and in 2001 at the MCI Center.
"Washington Sports and Entertainment and the Mystics are honored to host the 2002 WNBA All-Star Game," said Susan O'Malley, Washington Sports and Entertainment President. "It is a privilege to be awarded this premiere event that will showcase MCI Center, Washington, D.C. and the best fans in the WNBA."
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