The Flyers Pro Elite Women's Basketball Team is on its way to Elsberry, and not just for an exhibition game or a local fundraiser. In fact, the team is looking for a new home, and they are hoping that the Elsberry community is just the fit they have been looking for. Elsberry alumni Kari Koch-Dowell and Brittney Koch-Dowell approached the Elsberry R-II School Board during their Dec. 9 meeting and requested the use of the high school gym during the team's 2016 season.
The team, as well as the Women's Blue Chip Basketball League, the league that they play in, is geared toward athletes age 20 and above who no longer have NCAA eligibility. 'They have to be done with college basketball,' said Brittney during a telephone interview with The Elsberry Democrat. The league is comprised of 40 teams from across the United States who square off against one another during a season that generally lasts from May until August. Games are held on Saturday and sometimes Sunday evenings at 7 or 8 p.m.
There are a total of seven teams in the WBCBL Midwest Region that the Flyers will be competing in, including teams from Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska and Wisconsin. However, they will also be playing other teams from throughout the country that aren't in their region. 'We're sort of a feeder for international basketball and for players who are still looking to make it into the WNBA,' said Brittney.
Brittney is the owner and coach of the team, which at one point was headquartered in Alabama and known as the Auburn Flyers. She said they became known as simply the Flyers Pro Elite during the team's fourth year in Alabama due to the fact that people were confusing them with Auburn University. 'That kind of hurt us a little bit,' said Brittney. She added, however, that the team would now love to incorporate Elsberry into its name. 'We won't do it unless the community wants it to happen,' said Brittney.
She stressed to the board that the team wants to be here for the long-run and not just for the 2016 season. 'We want to bring the best athletes out to the Elsberry community and give back to the youth in the area,' said Brittney. As part of that giving back, Brittney said the team plans to do a lot of free clinics and camps, and to mentor young people in the community in whatever ways are available. Brittney plans to have the team's schedule completed by January and told the board she is anticipating that between eight and nine games will be played in Elsberry's high school gym, while the remainder will take place on the road.
She added that the team would pay to rent the gym and would also provide staff and security in accordance with the guidelines of the WBCBL. Admission to the games is expected to cost approximately $5. Brittney told the board that 30 percent of anything that comes in the door will go directly to the school, as will a portion of what is made on concessions.
As an added draw, she mentioned that Kari is actually a member of the Flyers and will be participating in the games. Brittney said this creates an opportunity for those in the community who watched Kari play in high school to come out and see the growth in her skill set. Kari said she plans to assume coaching responsibilities with the team as soon as they have won the national tournament again. 'I want to win one more title,' said Kari.
[Update] The Flyer's request was approved by the board and Brittney said they couldn't be more excited. She added that, in addition to the appeal of returning to Kari's home turf, the team had another reason for wanting to play in Elsberry. 'I've researched the area,' said Brittney. 'Elsberry loves the game of basketball. They are fanatics.' - The Elsberry Democrat
Toccara Toland-Tatum returns to the WBCBL - 7 days ago
Everyone please welcome the return of Mrs. Toccara Toland-Tatum as the New Regional Director for the Atlantic region. She originally joined the WBCBL by venturing into the realm of team ownership, by founding the Winston-Salem Lady Warriors of North Carolina in 2010. Mrs. Tatum worked her way up the ranks and was named the Carolinas Regional Director from 2014 until 2016 and now takes over the position as the Atlantic Regional Director, which was formerly held by WBCBL Commissioner, Ms. T... [read more]
Everyone please welcome the return of Mrs. Toccara Toland-Tatum as the New Regional Director for the Atlantic region. She originally joined the WBCBL by venturing into the realm of team ownership, by founding the Winston-Salem Lady Warriors of North Carolina in 2010. Mrs. Tatum worked her way up the ranks and was named the Carolinas Regional Director from 2014 until 2016 and now takes over the position as the Atlantic Regional Director, which was formerly held by WBCBL Commissioner, Ms. Terri Steed.
As player/coach/owner, Mrs. Toland-Tatum built a solid program and led her Lady Warcats to 2 WBCBL national playoff appearances.
'We value our members and we are proud to have dedicated individuals working their way up the rankings, while continuously improving the outlook of the WBCBL. This is a league of tremendous opportunity on so many levels.' - Mr. McCray
Ms. Toland-Tatum has her Bachelor's in Business Administration and her Master's in Sports Management. She presently teaches Physical Education and serves as the Head Varsity Girls Basketball Coach at Lexington Senior High School in NC.
'I'm excited for the opportunity and look forward to pushing the Atlantic Region to the top of the WBCBL." - Mrs. Toland-Tatum
Jacksonville, Florida The WBCBL SUNCOAST Region had the opportune pleasure for three of our regional teams to host and play the Hungarian Team Sport Club from the University of Physical Education, of Budapest, Hungary. The Florida Lady Reign would lead off the series of highly competitive games. Although the Lady Reign fought until the very end, unfortunately, the newly formed young team fell short of a victory to our Hungarian counterpart by a score of 49-55 The second leg of the Hungar... [read more]
Jacksonville, Florida The WBCBL SUNCOAST Region had the opportune pleasure for three of our regional teams to host and play the Hungarian Team Sport Club from the University of Physical Education, of Budapest, Hungary. The Florida Lady Reign would lead off the series of highly competitive games. Although the Lady Reign fought until the very end, unfortunately, the newly formed young team fell short of a victory to our Hungarian counterpart by a score of 49-55 The second leg of the Hungarian Club tour would feature a game against the Jacksonville Beach Panthers. It was an action packed game from start to finish. The second year Lady Panthers would prevail with a final score of 72-58. The final game for the Hungarian Club, before departing back to Budapest, would feature the veteran squad and re-launching of the Dade County Bulls. As you would predict, the Lady Bulls would win the game in Suncoast Region style, 71-59. Great job to all of the teams and their efforts to make our overseas sisters feel welcomed. Having the opportunity to host the young ladies of the Hungarian Club and to compete with an International team was truly a memorable experience. The Sisterhood displayed between the teams and the high level of basketball showmanship was very rewarding. We look forward to hosting other international teams in the future. Ms. LaSchelle Brown, WBCBL Suncoast Regional Director
Nashville, TN - March 26, 2018 - The Music City Icons Professional Women's Basketball team had their first community event on Saturday, March 3, 2018. Over 500 kids between the ages of 5-14 years old were registered to participate in the 2018 SEC Downtown Dribble. This event was hosted by the Nashville Sports Council in partnership with the Bridgestone Arena. Once the kids completed registration they received their very own basketball and t-shirt. They were then instructed to follow the M... [read more]
Nashville, TN - March 26, 2018 - The Music City Icons Professional Women's Basketball team had their first community event on Saturday, March 3, 2018. Over 500 kids between the ages of 5-14 years old were registered to participate in the 2018 SEC Downtown Dribble. This event was hosted by the Nashville Sports Council in partnership with the Bridgestone Arena. Once the kids completed registration they received their very own basketball and t-shirt. They were then instructed to follow the Music City Icons General Manager Jeff Davis to the Dribbling Station. Upon arrival, they were greeted by the Music City Icons players and Head Coach, Matthias McNeal, who took the kids through several basketball dribbling drills. Former International Basketball player Angie Ramey (6'4''-F/C-91, college: Ark.-Fort Smith) provided the kids with motivation and inspiration as they tried to master the dribbling drills. 'It was amazing to watch kids of all ages put 100% effort into learning how to improve their basketball skills,' says Owner Renee Bobb. This was the first year that the Music City Icons participated in the Downtown Dribble and, based on the response from the parents and kids, I am sure they will be requested to return. One of the newest members to the Music City Icons Professional Women's Basketball team, 6'1' center Celiscia Farmer (6'0''-G-90, college: Alabama, agency: PEPI SPORT) said she truly enjoyed sharing her knowledge and skills with the children. One of the highlights for her was helping the kids learn how to handle the basketball under pressure. For more information, contact Music City Icons Owner, Renee Bobb, at (615) 753-5647 or P.O. Box 583, Hermitage, TN 37076.
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