On the Beat With Dallas Wings 7/22/2020

I was back virtually "On the Beat" with the Dallas Wings. This media session featured assistant coach Crystal Robinson and players Kayla Thornton and Satou Sabally. With no disrespect to anyone, perhaps the real star was nine year old Camilla "Pepper" Persley, a young, but talented reporter.

Much of the conversation of all involved Sabally and the other rookies making the adjustment to playing bigger, tougher defenders than they previous payed in their college careers. The coaches and veteran players are working hard to get the younger players game-ready in this abbreviated training camp.

Young Pepper proved she is already game-ready, as she asked solid questions and showed her basketball knowledge. In fact, Pepper stole a few of my questions before I could ask them. When I first heard Pepper, I thought it was cute and cool to have a youngster involved. Then when I heard her articulate her questions, I quickly realized Pepper, despite her age, carried herself as a seasoned veteran reporter. I am quite sure everyone else was as impressed as I was.

The WNBA tips off on Saturday. The Wings open their season on Sunday at 3 p.m. CST on the CBS Sports Network.

Go to GlobalWomensSportsRadio.com for my recurring coverage of the WNBA. Also, check WNBA.com and Dallas Wings for info on the league and the team. Finally, check TheBrownGothamite.com, a very interesting site run by Pepper's father.

On the Beat With the Dallas Wings 7/19/20

Yesterday, I featured my first media session with the WNBA Dallas Wings, featuring assistant coach Crystal Robinson and players Moriah Jefferson and Allisha Gray. Today, I have the second day, with assistant coach Bryce Agler and players Arike Ogunbowale and Marina Mabrey.
Guard Mabrey talked about lessons learned in her rookie season. Mabrey got a bit more animated when she discussed playing in the new environment. She stressed that it is all competition. She and the team want to win every game no matter where it's played.
When discussing the biggest thing she learned in her first season, guard Ogunbowale joked that she “is not a true point guard.” She went on to talk about the importance of spacing.
Last up was asst. coach Agler, whose new haircut added some fun to the session. Agler sported a newly shaved head. Coach Agler talked about the difference in playing in the empty arena, noting that everyone will be able to heard the plays called. Everyone will know more about all teams because of that. The session ended with a little more ribbing of coach Agler.
Everyone in the organization is positive about the team. The Wings finished last season with a record of 10-24 good for last place in the Western Conference. This season, they have a very young team, featuring three rookies, four 2nd year players and nobody older than 27. Everyone feels that the team will be good once they jell. The short season forces that process to happen quickly and their success will depend on how soon it starts coming together.

My coverage of the WNBA will be here, GlobalTravelerUSA.com and  GlobalWomensSportsRadio.com. You can check all of my WNBA videos on the Johngy's Beat WNBA playlist on YouTube.

Go to Dallas Wings for more news on the team. Also, go to WNBA.com for info on the other teams and the league.

On the Beat With the Dallas Wings 7/18/20

Over the weekend, I had the pleasure of being a part of two media sessions with the WNBA's Dallas Wings. On Saturday, assistant coach Crystal Robinson and players Moriah Jefferson and Allisha Gray answered questions via a Zoom call.
Asst. coach Robinson asserted that rookie Satou Sabally is “really, really good” and that she will be effective in the league. She went on to talk about the young players being a special group of rookies, but needing to grow a bit and catch up to the veterans in the league. Coach Robinson also talked about the Wings playing more people and the players needing to learn to fit in and to earn playing time.
Guard Jefferson discussed the advantages of playing in one location as opposed to the rigors of travel. Guard Gray stated that “all travel is like a business trip” and she won't really miss that part, although she will miss other arenas.
Each player came to the session with ice packs on various body parts and this was just from a practice. You can only imagine how sore and tired they are after a full game and then more games pretty much every other day.
The season will be a real test for every team. Staying healthy will be of major importance. Fortunately, the Wings are a young group, which should be in their favor in terms of recovery time.
My coverage of the WNBA will be here, GlobalTravelerUSA.com and  GlobalWomensSportsRadio.com. You can check all of my WNBA videos on the Johngy's Beat WNBA playlist on YouTube.

Go to Dallas Wings for more info on the team. Also check GlobalWomensSportsRadio.com for recurring coverage of the WNBA and all women's sports.