The Atlanta Dream defeated the Seattle Storm 37-21 to win the championship behind an all-around team effort. This season marked the eighth of the CMEK Women’s League.
“In that time, the league has become a staple in many of the incredible women’s lives who comprise the league. We rely on the league to not only compete in a sport on a high level, but to have an outlet for the pressure of our day to day lives,” said Dream captain, Elana Tamas, formerly of Frisch.
Amanda Leeder, a newcomer to the league, said, “I came to the league as an out-of-towner, in New Jersey for the summer to care for my child, who is not well. Joining this league for the summer season was an incredible outlet for me, and it was so wonderful to be a part of such a great team and well executed league.”
The league is comprised of women of all different ages, from different walks of life, but the friendship and camaraderie displayed by the players has become one the most attractive qualities to the players.
Said Tamas, five-time league champion, “As a business professional, I appreciate the ability the league gives me to develop me team skills, and ability to work and strategize with other strong, intelligent and competitive women.”
The Dream got off to a shaky start. The team’s center, superstar Nicole Sisco, who played Division 3 basketball on the Salisbury University team, was out for the first few games while recovering from a tonsillectomy. When she returned, the Dream regained their championship form and started to fire on all cylinders.
Atlanta guard Tamar Rothenberg; Aliza Hiller, who works at Yavneh and played for Mayanot; and Kristen Kush, a coach for CMEK; are the only three players who have participated in all eight seasons.
Dahlia Fischer, playoff MVP, formerly of SAR, and college ball player currently at NYU, is the team’s extremely talented point guard. She excels in every facet of the game and routinely is putting up 20 point games with her surefire 3-point shot. She noted, “As the season progressed, our team grew stronger and learned how to play with each other to make each other better.”
“Their teamwork makes the Dream work,” said Chad Mekles, league commissioner.
Bridget Hughes, Defender of the Season award winner, talked about the ability to work together effectively. She said, “Our team had great anticipation, and we were able to adjust our defenses, zone or man-to-man, depending on how the other team was doing. We worked hard to get to know how each other and never got down on one another.”
In accord with Hughes, Nicole Sisco, last season’s MVP, said, “I think we had great team chemistry and were able to motivate and push each other when needed to pull out a championship.”
Season nine begins in September. For more information email [email protected].
