WS Chronicle

In photo above: Members of the Winston-Salem Lady Warcats and Winston-Salem Fire Department prepare for a jump ball during a charity game held on Saturday, June 13 at the Fulton YMCA. (Photo by Tevin Stinson)

WSFD outlast Warcats press to earn the victory in annual event

By Tevin Stinson
The Chronicle

On Saturday, June 13, at the Fulton YMCA, 385 W. Hanes Mill Road, members of the Winston-Salem Fire Department put down their fire proof suits and laced up their basketball kicks to take on the Winston-Salem Lady Warcats.

The Lady Warcats are members of the Women’s Blue Chip Basketball League (WBCBL), a semi-professional league for women.

The team is a registered non-profit organization and survives off donations from fans and a number of sponsors. First year head coach Christopher Geter said charity games like this one, is one of the ways the team earns money to take care of travel expenses as well as organizing events in the community for children.

“This game has been in existence for a couple of years,” Geter said. “All proceeds go towards funding the Lady Warcats and funding community events such as basketball camps and a mentor program called Sister to Sister.”

Although the game was for charity and didn’t count against their record, Geter and the Warcats did not want to leave the gym without the win.
“We’re defiantly coming in here to get the win,” Geter laughed. “The team actual beat them last year so we’re trying to keep them with a “L” this year as well.”

“We have a motto TCB, take care of business and thats what we expect to do every time we step on the court, charity game or not.”
Members of the fire department knew what they were up aganist in this years competition and seemed prepared for everything the Lady Warcats threw at them, and were determined to get the win as well.

Behind some streaky shooting and offensive rebounds the WSFD were able to escape with a 95-80 victory.

Early in the game the Lady Warcats showed a press that seemed to give the WSFD trouble. By forcing turnovers and getting easy lay-ups they were able to cut the lead to five before WSFD coach Jerrod Hardy made adjustments during a timeout.

“That press gave us a few problems but after that first timeout we were ready to go,” said Hardy.

Hardy who said he was aware of the teams struggles against the Warcats in the past was pleased with the way his team played and was happy they got the win.

“It feels good to get our redemption after losing last years game, they say revenge is a meal best served cold and we got it today,” laughed Hardy.

A number of members from the WSFD were in attendance to watch their co-workers play, including assistant fire chief Frank Stowe, who said he was their to see a good competitive game.

“I’m not playing this year but I am here to represent the fire department,” Stowe said. “Anytime you can support a positive community organization like this everybody wins.”

Admission to the game was $7, during half time a raffle was drawn for a 32 inch flat screen television. It is unclear how much money was raised during the game but the Warcats hope to have a grand total by the end of this week.

For more information on the Lady Warcats or the WBCBL visit www.ladywarcats.com