Women’s Basketball
Women’s basketball is a team sport in which women play against other women. It is a sport that began to spread across the United States and beyond through women’s college competitions. Since 1892, women’s basketball has spread around the world, with its roots starting at Smith College in Massachusetts.
ASU women’s basketball nearly had its first Pac-12 win
Getting the chance to win a conference game is no small feat. Arizona State women’s basketball has struggled to find consistent flow offense and generate a lot of open shots. In its first game in the Pac-12 tournament, ASU could not pull off the victory. Instead, the Sun Devils fell to Oregon State.
ASU trailed by 13 points at the half. Despite a second-half surge, the Sun Devils were unable to close out the game. They were outscored 20-18 in the third quarter, as the Wildcats outscored them by 17 points.
In the fourth, the Sun Devils got within two points with a minute to go. Taya Hanson’s quick triple from behind the three-point line gave them a boost. But the team went on to lose by six points.
NCAA-sponsored Division I women’s basketball Final Four championship
Traditionally, college basketball’s “March Madness” has been a men’s tournament. But the NCAA-sponsored Division I women’s basketball championship has changed that. In addition to featuring some of the country’s top players, it’s now a week-long celebration of women’s basketball, complete with family-oriented activities, musical entertainment, comedians, and educational exhibits.
Last year’s championship game between Stanford and Arizona was the best title game in several years. It averaged over four million viewers and had the highest average rating of any title game in the NCAA’s history.
The NCAA is attempting to fix the optics of the game. A specialized committee, called the Division I Strategic Vision and Planning Committee, is still working on the issue.
In a bid to improve gender equity in basketball, the NCAA will update the branding of its championships. The NCAA is changing the logos to include the women’s tournament, the “Final Four,” and March Madness.
Women’s American Basketball
The Women’s American Basketball Association is a women’s professional basketball league. It is founded by Bill Byrne and is one of the major women’s professional sports leagues in the United States. Currently, WABA has over 20 teams in the country.
It was relaunched in March 2014. This league is the sister league to the American Basketball Association. There are also several rules that differ from the WNBA.
In its first season, the Women’s American Basketball Association played with seven teams. They played a 15-game schedule. They failed to finish the season, however. Several teams were folded before the end of the year.
Before the Women’s American Basketball Association, the Ladies Professional Basketball Association was formed. This league was also short-lived.
Women’s basketball was growing in popularity. Many companies recruited women from high school to play for their teams. Several women coaches began insisting on equal pay for their players.
Women’s Basketball League of Southern California
The Women’s Basketball League of Southern California (WBLSC) began in 1969. It was founded by William Kelly, who wanted to improve current operations. Today the league is comprised of over forty teams in the United States and Canada.
Players are coached by former Division I NCAA coaches. The WBLSC is a great opportunity for athletes of all ages and skill levels. Whether it’s to play professionally, or to get a taste of college basketball, the league is a great experience.
Several high profile teams and individual stars have called SoCal home. Jessica Grant led the country in three-point shooting, averaging 5.1 made three-pointers per game. She also led Mission Hills to the San Diego Section Open Division section finals.
Kelli Kamida set a Southern Section record with 16 three-pointers against Montebello. Keshmeshian was named CIFSS Division 1 co-Player of the Year.
Women’s National Basketball Association
The Women’s National Basketball Association is a professional basketball league featuring women’s teams. It is organized into two conferences, the Western and Eastern Conferences.
The WNBA provides information about players, coaches, and merchandise. For instance, in 2011, the league saw a 26 percent increase in mobile page views.
There is an annual draft that consists of three rounds. Each team chooses an 11-woman roster for the upcoming season. Currently, the draft is held in New York City.
A new entrant to the WNBA, Atlanta, was awarded an expansion franchise. This team is owned by businessman Ron Terwilliger.
In addition, the WNBA introduced an All-Defensive Team comprised of top defenders at each position.
Similarly, the WNBA invented a Peak Performer Award. The award is based on the number of points that were collected in the voting.
