July 12, 2021 – Orlando, FL –
The WBDA was Originally formed in 2004 as the Women’s Blue Chip Basketball League, the organization rebranded in 2019 as the Women’s Basketball Development Association. Their inaugural season was in 2019, followed by a cancelled 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This means, the Orlando Boom are still the champions of the WBDA after their championship run in 2019. I was lucky enough to sit down via phone call with the new head coach of the Boom, Mercedes Sirmons. Sirmons spent 2019 as an assistant coach on the Boom under then Coach Eliot Hernandez and has now been promoted to the head coach position as his replacement and is eager to use her young, driven, and knowledgeable attitude to continue the winning ways in Orlando.
When asked about the expectations for the upcoming season, Sirmons said, “to continue to believe in the system and the program so we can bring home another ring.” Sirmons also talked briefly on how lucky she was to be promoted to the head coaching position as she said, “it feels great to continue to live out the Boom experience and have an avenue for women’s basketball. It feels awesome just to continue my passion.”
Coach Sirmons brings the best possible coaching to the Boom in a sport dominated by male head coaches, Sirmons knows she can do as much as any other coach, man or woman. She stated she’s never backed down from a challenge and realizes it’s always a learning process and says she’s open to learning every step of the way. The pressure will be high as Sirmons expects there to be a target on the Boom’s heads this upcoming season with them being the reigning champions. She’s communicated to her players that even the worst teams are going to give them their absolute best. Coach Sirmons takes advantage of every practice to prepare for every battle this upcoming season.
Sirmons expects adversity this year with it being her first year of coaching, she believes the expectations will be high. She says that she believes in her players, coaches, and the organization. With these high expectations, we can be prepared to see the Boom bring their best basketball every night with an exceptional woman, coach, and basketball mind, coaching them this season. Thank you to Coach Sirmons for taking time to discuss her new position and the upcoming season for the Boom as they continue their difficult title defense.
