The month of June has been hot for the 3-1 South Carolina Storm. As the SC Storm continues their win streak, the feeling in the atmosphere is very optimistic. Peaking at the right time, veterans Sarah Lyon and Toni Jones has stepped up through some tough times. The Storm’s next contest is against the Conyers Rockets, on July 9th in Greenville SC.

Second year players, Aubany Thomas, Kristen Dickerson and first year additions Shantae Robinson, Chelsey Johnson, Kim Roach, Kelly Stewart and Shiranda Jeter, have brought some pride to the Upstate of SC.
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“Winning 2 region games has helped us move from the bottom, into a tie for 2nd place with I-26 rival the Capital City Cougars.  As we move into the last stretch of the season, First year players Christina DeWitt, Mikala Scott, and Cee Hunter will be back and healthy for the WBCBL Atlantic Regional tournament run. Finishing at the line, playing tough team defense, and staying together is what makes the silver and black HOOP PHI STRONG!”

• Coach Jon Shell

Evans, GA, June 28, 2016–Fans flooded into Evans High School gymnasium with their pink shirts and pink Georgia Soul paraphernalia this past Sunday for the Georgia Soul’s Breast Cancer Awareness Day game.
 
The team circled to the court against the Carolina Lady Rush with their special pink uniforms, sponsored by Dr. Tyjuan Williams and One Smile Away Dentistry. The ladies of the Georgia Soul ended the first half with a 3-point lead. Owner Ernesia Wright, began the special Breast Cancer Awareness half-time tribute to survivors, which included Erika Stokes (Evans, GA native) former Lakeside athlete and leading scorer, who won her battle against Breast Cancer.
After playing for South Carolina State University and graduating with honors, Ms. Erika Stokes traveled to play semi-professional basketball, but began to get home sick. At the age of 25, she saw a need to give back to the community and began the first women’s semi-professional basketball team in Augusta, GA known as the Lady Blaze. Georgia Soul owner, Ernesia Wright was a member on the team and became the first player to receive a contract to play professionally overseas.
 
At the age of 31, Ms. Stokes found a lump in one of her breast while conducting a self-examination. The doctors confirmed her fear and she given a diagnosis of an aggressive stage 2-A Hormone Positive Breast Cancer in March of 2012. There were rounds of surgery and chemotherapy. She is very thankful to still be alive today. “I had to put aside negative thoughts and trust the path that God placed before me. I am blessed and thankful to be alive today and four (4) years cancer free!” said breast cancer survivor Erika Stokes. The presentation ended with the ladies of the Georgia Soul giving special gifts to Ms. Stokes and other breast cancer survivors from the audience, to include male survivor, Mr. Cecil Herrin.
 
The pink power-packed game ended with Carolina Lady Rush on top 88-76. The Georgia Soul may have lost the battle against the Lady Rush but were victorious in being graced with survivors for the breast cancer awareness day. The Georgia Soul still continues to soar through their first season with a 5-0 record in their region and a 6-3 record overall in the Women’s Blue Chip Basketball League.
For more information on the Georgia Soul, the game schedule, and purchasing tickets, visit www.georgiasoulbasketball.com.
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If you would like more information about this topic, please contact Ernesia Wright at (706) 755-8059 or email at georgiasoulbasketball@gmail.com.
To view highlights from Sunday’s game, visit https://youtu.be/k6H_pOyF9hQ.

The Iowa Force women’s basketball team has reached the midpoint of their inaugural season. Now with a roster of 12, the Force have moved their record to 2-3 putting them at 4th place in the Midwest Region.
The members of the Iowa Force Basketball team are Sharnae Lamar, Akiko Ochiai, Laz Schreck, Rebecca Kramer, Charmaine Bell, PeeWee Porter, Tia Mays, Alyse Messa, Alison Nagel, Annessa Rosch, Shronda Butts, and Brittany Robinson. The Force are coached by Head Coach Ja’Nae` Mosley, and Assistant Coach Chris Morrow.

After a 1-1 start to the season with a loss to the Nebraska Strikers and a victory over the Missouri Arch Angels, the Force played the 2014 WBCBL Champion St. Louis Surge in their 3rd game. Despite a loss to the Surge, the Force responded with a convincing 75-68 win over the Kansas City Majestics. The Force traveled to Elsberry, Missouri this past week for a game against the Flyers Pro Elite team. In what was a very back and forth offensive juggernaut of a game, the Force fell 104-91 to move to 2-3 on the season.
The Force had their first basketball camp on June 2nd at the West Des Moines Valley Community Center. The camp was free with a donation to the Youth Emergency Situations and Shelter of Iowa. The Force will host an all girls basketball clinic on Thursday, June 30th from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at West Des Moines Valley Community Center. The cost will be $30 and the camp will cover ball handling, pivoting and footwork. Registration details will be posted on the website www.iowaforcewbb.com.

The Regional Tournament will be held Saturday, June 23rd in St. Louis. The top four teams in the Midwest Region will advance to the tournament, with the winner advancing to the National Tournament August 3rd-7th.
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The next home game for the Force is Saturday, June 25th at 7:00 against the Nebraska Strikers. All home games are played at AIB College of Business in Des Moines.

St. Louis, MO --  With a great start to the season, the St. Louis Surge Professional Women’s Basketball is gearing up to showcase their talents in the home opener played on June 11, 2016 at UMSL in the Mark Twain Building. Doors open at 6:00pm and tip off is at 7:05pm. This years’ roster combines six veteran players with six up and coming athletes ready to prove their talents to the Surge fans. The ladies have quickly found their groove and are a well oiled machine.
 
The Surge is eager to host the Nebraska Strikers in their first home game of the season. This is going to be a game that you do not want to miss. In addition to the great competition the Strikers bring on the court, the off the court action is going to be equally thrilling. From DJ’s, to live entertainment before and throughout the game, June 11th is going to be a day full of events. 
 
The St. Louis Surge is one of 40 teams in the Women’s Blue Chip Basketball League (WBCBL). This development women’s league was founded in 2004, and has served as a great avenue for women athletes. The WBCBL acts as a primary farm recruiting league for top level Professional teams worldwide. In addition to developing women’s athletic careers, The Surge supports its players professional careers outside of basketball as well by providing opportunities to meet build their resumes and meet prominent professionals in the St. Louis area.

- St. Louis Surge Staff