Source: The Molina Collection
Author: John Molina
October 11, 1977, Vietnam was over and disco was the latest rage in music. Charlie's Angels gave the country something to talk about. It was on that day that the incorporation of the first womens professional basketball league happened.
The WBL was the idea of Bill Byrne, whom had previous experience in the American Football League. Over the next 9 months, applications were sent out to over 750 interested groups. By the summer of 1978, the first 8 franchises (each costing $50,000) were selected. They were (in order of acceptance):
- Iowa Cornets
- New Jersey Gems
- Milwaukee Does
- Chicago Hustle
- Minnesota Fillies
- Dayton Rockettes
- New York Stars
- Houston Angels
Now that the teams were set, it was time to gather players for this league. The National Scouting Association had been compiling information on players for the 2 previous years. On July 18th, 1978 the first draft was held at the Essex house in New York City. Ann Meyers and Rita Easterling were the 2 top draft picks. Along with signing top prospects, the WBL signed Wilson Basketball to a major contact to use their basketballs.
The first game was played December 9, 1978 at the Milwaukee arena where the Chicago Hustle defeated the Milwaukee Does 92-87. Approximately 8,000 fans attended the game.
The uniforms varied from team to team on their logos. The Dayton Rockettes, whom would only last 1 season, were very simple. The Rockettes would become the California Dreams the following season.
By the time The All Star game came on March 14, 1979, The Houston Angels had a firm hold on the Eastern Division with a 19-6 record. The Iowa Cornets and Chicago Hustle were tied in the West at 15-10.
The All Star game would be held at Madison Square Garden. Coaching the East was Don Knodel of Houston and Doug Bruno from Chicago. Leading the west would be Brenda Chapman and her 27.1 scoring average against the East's scoring leader from New York, Althea Gwyn. Other players on the roster would include Rita Easterling, Molly "Machine Gun" Bolin, Karen Aulenbacher and Paula Mayo.
By the end of the season, The Houston Angels held a league-best 26-8 regular season. The Angels began to gel into a championship contender. Playing 48 minutes, they averaged an eye-popping 99.4 points more than most of today's NBA teams, while allowing 90.5.
The Angels swept New York in the Eastern Division playoffs, advancing to face Iowa in the first WBL finals series. The Cornets were led by Molly Bolin, the blonde bomber who was known by her nickname of "Machine Gun'' Molly who made headlines with her average of 32.8 points Machine Gun Molly: WBL Legend The Angels won the first two games in Houston, 89-85 and 112-98, before heading to Des Moines for Games 3 and 4. Two losses later the Angels found themselves back home for the deciding Game 5.
Compounding matters was the fact that the Angels were playing at Hofheinz Pavilion for the first time all season, where the biggest crowd of the season, 5,978 packed inside to see the game. This was much more then the average 600-900.
Tied with two minutes to go, Paula Mayo went to work, scoring six straight points to put the Angels up to stay. They coasted home with the win and the first championship. But after the victory, there would be no parades or visits to the White House, which the Comets of the WNBA enjoyed after winning their first title.
The Angels instead went back to a player's apartment and toasted each other in anonymity.
Rita Easterling would be named MVP of both the All-Star game (19 pts and 18 assists) and the season; average 10+ assists a game and a 'then' record of 44 points in a game.
Don Knodel of the Houston Angels would be named Coach of the Year.
