Stage is set for women’s hoops

NEW YORK — The U.S. women’s basketball team is expected to dominate the Athens Olympics, but first it will take on a WNBA All-Star team at Radio City Music Hall tonight, the squad’s final warmup before heading to Europe this weekend.

“This is a chance to show the best women in the world and how competitive they play,” said Detroit Shock coach Bill Laimbeer, who will coach the WNBA All-Stars.

Two-time Olympian Lisa Leslie will join USA starters Tina Thompson, Sheryl Swoopes, Shannon Johnson and Tamika Catchings on stage at the famed music hall.

The WNBA All-Stars will start Connecticut’s Nykesha Sales and Taj McWilliams-Franklin, Detroit’s Cheryl Ford, Los Angeles’ Nikki Teasley and Phoenix’s Anna DeForge.

“We’re going to treat it like a normal game because we need all the preparation we can get,” said Diana Taurasi, a rookie on the USA Team.

The game is being held on the stage of the famous hall because of the upcoming Republican National Convention at Madison Square Garden.