February 5, 2021 – Orlando, FL. –
The Orlando Boom were the Women’s Basketball Development Association (WBDA) 2019 National Champions. Because the COVID-19 kept the Boom and the rest of the competing teams in the WBDA for the 2020 season, the Boom are still the reigning champs. The Boom clinched the WBDA title in 2019 after defeating the Phoenix Lady Elite in the championship game. The game went to overtime and the Boom ended up with a 87-82 victory, with East Carolina University alum Antoinette Bannister named the Finals MVP.
There are multiple keys for the Orlando Boom to be successful and become back-to-back champs by winning the championship in the 2021 season. One of the keys to success for the Orlando Boom is to ensure Bannister returns to the team for the 2021 season. Throughout her time playing for ECU, Bannister had an average of 30.2% for field goals, with an average of 31.2% on 3-pointers. Although her return to the team is projected, it is not a confirmation that she will be back. If she does return, it would likely help Orlando have a better chance of winning the trophy again.
Another key to success for the Orlando Boom is for Eliot Hernandez to prove that he can still coach his team at the high level he did in 2019. Hernandez has a great deal of experience in basketball when it comes to both playing and coaching. He started out by playing for the Professional BSN Basketball team in 2000, and he is now the Johnson University Women’s Assistant Basketball Coach and men’s basketball coach. Unfortunately, he has struggled with coaching the Johnson University Florida Suns men’s basketball team. Currently in his first season as the men’s basketball coach, Hernandez’s team has a 4-8 record, with a three-game losing streak. If he can improve their record and turn the Suns’ season around, he could prove that he can lead the Orlando Boom to a season that ends with a championship. Staying safe and going through the COVID-19 protocols correctly is another key to success for the Orlando Boom. Because the pandemic is still going on, there will likely be measures in place to keep the members of the team and other people safe. These measures could include social distancing, wearing a mask and taking temperatures before practices, meetings and games. The Orlando Boom has multiple ways and chances to be successful once again. If they are able to use all of these keys to success correctly, they will have a solid chance of becoming back-to-back WBDA champions.
