Colorado Chill of the NWBL

LOVELAND, Colo. – The Colorado Chill and the National Women’s Basketball League (NWBL) hosted the inaugural All-Star Game on Monday afternoon in front of 2,294 fans at the Budweiser Event’s Center.

The six NWBL teams were divided into two teams, the National and American, and squared off in the inaugural game. Members of the Chicago Blaze, Houston Stealth and Colorado Chill made up the National team and players from the Dallas Fury, Springfield Spirit and Birmingham Power comprised
the American All-Stars.

The American All-Stars defeated the National All-Stars by a final score of 83-75. The National team trailed by 19-points at halftime, but made a run in the second half getting it as close as six-points.

Springfield Spirit point guard and American All-Star Stacey Clinesmith finished with a game-high 15 points and was awarded the game MVP. Jen Surlas (Birmingham Power), Felicia Ragland (Birmingham Power) and Anna DeForge (Dallas Fury) were also in double-figures for the American All-Stars with 14, 14 and 10 respectively.

The National All-Stars had five players finish in double-figures for the day. Leading the way was Houston Stealth guard Tamicha Jackson, who finished the game with 14 points. Other players in double-figures for the National squad were Ruth Riley (10, Colorado Chill), Kelley Gibson (10, Houston Stealth), Octavia Blue (10, Houston Stealth) and Katie Cronin (11, Colorado Chill).

Prior to tip-off, the Chill hosted a three-point contest and slam-dunk contest. Players from the Dallas Fury took home both trophies, DeForge defeated Fury teammate Felicia Ragland in the finals of the 3-point shootout and Ta’Keisha Lewis took home the slam-dunk award.

The NWBL is a six-team league that features 27 active WNBA players. Other teams in the league include the Birmingham Power (Birmingham, Ala.); Springfield Spirit (Springfield, Mass.); Dallas Fury (Dallas, Texas); Houston Stealth (Houston, Texas); Colorado Chill (Ft. Collins, Colo.) and Chicago Blaze (Chicago, Ill.).