It is a well known fact that Elsberry people like basketball.

Through the years at the high school level fans have seen the likes of great coaches such as George Wilson and Larry Logan. Not to mention superstar players like Lisa Ellis and Kari Koch-Dowell who have played on the gym floor. But, fans haven’t seen nothing yet as the Flyers Pro Elite Women’s Basketball team comes to Elsberry High School for a season of basketball.

The Flyers kick off the season this Saturday with an exhibition game against one of their league teams, the Missouri Arch Angels. League play will begin on Sunday May 8, 3 p.m. at Elsberry High School against the Kansas City Majestic.

For the Mother’s Day event the first 100 Mom’s will receive a rose courtesy of the Flyers and Broadway Flowers and Fountain. Many activities and giveaways are planned for each home game.Flyers

The competition level ranges from former college players to former NWBL, WNBA players and current International players. The Flyers 13 person roster is made up of women from the St. Louis area, Springfield, and as far away as Wisconsin.

The awe factor for Elsberry fans is that Kari is returning home to play on the court that she began her basketball career on and play in front of the people who have followed her journey. Kari has led the league in scoring the last three years.

The owner and coach of the team is Brittney Koch-Dowell who originally headquartered the team in Alabama for four years, before making the move to Missouri this past year.

“I am looking forward to a great season as we try to win our second national title and as we begin our season in a new home,” said Brittney.

One can tell just by talking to her that basketball runs in her blood and she loves every aspect of the game from ownership of the team, to coaching the players.

When asked what she enjoyed most Brittney responded by saying, “the relationships that I build with the players on and off the floor and the people we meet along the way.”

Part of the mission of the team is to be active members of the community, whether it is coaching and mentoring youth or fundraising.

At the exhibition game several organizations will be benefiting from the nights events.

IMG_6667The Flyers have chosen to team up with Bright Futures of Lincoln County and split the proceeds of admission to the game with them.

Also the Flyers are providing a huge basket of items to be raffled off with the proceeds to Bright Futures.

Also, happening during the evening is a fundraiser for Ayden Frail who is suffering from neuroblastoma cancer.

His mom, Jennifer Vratney-Frail is a 1997 Alumni of EHS.

The Flyers will be selling shirts in honor of Ayden for the night’s events with the proceeds going to his fund.

An added event that has been at the annual orange out the night is the infamous half-court shot worth $500 if made. The half-court shot is being sponsored by the Elsberry Kiwanis and the Elsberry VFW Post 9064.

For any information needed on the Flyers players or schedule be sure to check out their app at flyersproelitebasketball.teamapp.com or the link located on The Elsberry Democrat’s website, elsberrydemocrat.com.