On the Beat With the Dallas Wings 06/28/2021

The Dallas Wings held an off day press session featuring Head Coach Vickie Johnson and players Marina Mabrey and Kayla Thornton. The play of Mabrey and Arike Ogunbowale was a major part of the conversation, but plenty of other topics were also covered.

Coach Johnson started by discussing the team's play in recent games. In winning three of the last four, the Wings have reached 8-8, their first time at .500 in a couple seasons. The Wings are now tied for third place in the Western Conference.

Next, Coach Johnson discussed the play of Mabrey and Ogunbowale, individually and together, as well as their impact on the team on and off the court. Both could be in line for All-Star spots and Mabrey could be looking at the Most Improved Player award.

Mabrey followed Coach Johnson by continuing the discussion about Ogunbowale. She also talked about being  a candidate for the MIP award. She finished by talking about her tole on the team. Whether off the bench or as a starter, Mabrey brings the same attitude and effort.

Thornton was last to talk to the press. She started by reviewing the season so far. Obvious;y at 8-8, she is happy with the success of the team. She then jumped back to the Marbey-Ogunbowale topic. They are important parts of the team on the court, on the bench and off the court. They have a unique chemistry and are great as teammates.

Thornton talked about her role as a team veteran. She is happy to give advice and help the younger players, but all of the veterans on the team do that, as well. Additionally, everyone on the team, including the vets, is happy to listen and take advice from teammates and coaches.

To end the session, Thornton talked about the importance of the final few games leading into the break for the Olympics. At 8-8, it is crucial the team continues to build on that momentum and not let up now. A strong finish to this part of the season is important.

Dallas started the season 1-4, but has turned it around, going 7-4 in their last 11 games. With a new coach and several new players, the team took a bit to come together, but they appear to be on the right track. The Wings return to action on Wednesday hosting the Chicago Sky. They also host the Sky on Friday, then travel to New York and Minnesota, before returning home for a final game with the Las Vegas Aces before the break.

Las Vegas, currently 11-4, is the biggest challenge in that group. The other teams are all within a game of even, which should translate to opportunities for the Wings. Ideally, the Wings win four of the five, but even taking three would be a good end to this part of the season.

That press session can be found at On the Beat With the Dallas Wings 06/28/2021. Check back here for my coverage of the WNBA.

On the Beat With the Dallas Wings 05/11/2021

The Dallas Wings held a press session from Training Camp featuring. Kayla Thornton started the session and was followed by Moriah Jefferson. That interview session can be found at On the Beat With the Dallas Wings 05/11/2021.

Thornton talked about being the team veteran and working on her defense in camp. At 28, forward Thornton is in the unique position as the team's oldest player. Undrafted out of the University of Texas at El Paso, Thornton signed with the Washington Mystics for the 2015 season. After spending the 2016 season away from the WNBA, she returned with the Wings in 2017 and has been there since. Now entering her fifth season with the Wings, Thornton finds herself as the team vet (in age and tenure), a role she relishes, but doesn't really consider much. It's still just business as usual.

Jefferson discussed the team jelling with all of the new players, including Charli Collier, the top pick in the recent draft, her training camp and the importance of a woman as a coach. Point guard Jefferson was a star at UConn before being selected with the second overall pick by the San Antonio Stars in the 2016 WNBA Draft. Prior to the 2019 season, Jefferson was traded to the Wings. Jefferson only trails Thornton and Isabelle Harrison as the team's oldest player.

Last season, the Wings were 8-14, in last place in the Western Conference. Because the WNBA lumps all teams together for the playoff standings, the Wings actually finished one game behind the Washington Mystics for the eighth and final playoff spot.

In addition to Collier, the Wings had three other first round draft picks. Chelsea Dungee, Dana Evans and Awak Kuier join Collier as the 2021 rookies. The youthful Wings have 14 players still on their roster. These players average 1.6 years of WNBA experience.

Vickie Johnson is the new coach. Johnson entered the WNBA as a player with the New York Liberty in 1997, after a stellar career at Louisiana Tech. Selected in the second round (12th overall), Johnson played nine seasons with the Liberty and four more with the San Antonio Stars before retiring. She began her coaching career as an assistant with the Stars in 2011. She was named coach of the Wings during the last offseason.

Jefferson talked about the importance of a woman and a former player becoming a coach. Recently, I also talked with former player Val Whiting about the same topic. With no disrespect to male coaches like Bill Laimbeer, Dan Hughes and any other, I think it is important for the league to promote former players into coaching and team management.

Go to WNBA.com for more info and news on the Wings and the WNBA. Also, check here, GlobalTravelerUSA.com, GlobalWomensSportsRadio.com and Patch.com for my recurring coverage.

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.