FLINT, MI – A new champion has been crowned in the Women's American Basketball Association, and guess where they're from? Flint, Michigan.

The Flint Monarchs finished its first season in the WABA with a league title, and an undefeated 8-0 record.

On Sunday, Aug. 10, Flint ran through the Chicago Lady Steam, 90-67, to capture the title in front of a few hundred spectators at South Suburban College in South Holland, Illinois.

"These girls gave up a lot of their game for the greater good to win a championship and it was probably the most unselfish effort we've had all year and it was a joy to watch," said Monarchs coach Bill Schnorenberg. "Our goal is to win a championship every year. If you're not willing to put in the sacrifice to try to win a championship, then I don't know why you're playing."

There wasn't a playoff system set for the WABA Finals, the two best teams were determined based on their performances in the six-team league. The Monarchs made history by joining the WABA for its re-launch season as the city's first professional team for women's basketball.

The WABA is certainly below the Women's National Basketball Association and fought through growing pains this year, struggling to build a solid fan base for consistent attendance and other problems, but will be back next year with the defending champions from Flint looking to repeat.

A few expansion teams are expected to join the league, too, which will make it even more competitive.

Everything didn't go as planned as far as marketing and promotion but Monarchs President and General Manager Dreyon Wynn is already in talks with WABA CEO Sonya Nichols on ways to make improvements.

"We know there will be some changes, but the interest is a lot more in the Flint Monarchs now than it was a year ago," Schnorenberg said. "We're just going to build on that. To win championships and to compete will always be the goal of the organization.

"From Year 1 to Year 2 will be better," he added. "We took care of business but we know that the league will only be better. Now that it's made it through a year there's interest now. We're not going anywhere. We did something positive for the city."

FLINT, MI – The Women's American Basketball Association has certainly battled through challenges in its re-launch season this summer, but the undefeated Flint Monarchs were a bright spot for the league.

Flint ended the regular season with a perfect 6-0 record after its 91-77 win over the Louisville Fillies on the road Saturday, July 26.

Former Michigan State guard Jasmine Thomas, a native of Flint, led the way with a career-high 28 points, seven rebounds and five assists.

Jasmine McCall chipped in 16 points to go along with a career-high 13 assists and two steals while former Eastern Michigan center India Hairston tallied 11 points and four rebounds with two assists.

"Jasmine Thomas has been playing at a higher level, now that she's comfortable running the team," said Monarchs coach Bill Schnorenberg. "Everyone was playing well. I don't want the season to end, as well as we're playing, but I know our goal. We're playing at such a high level and everyone's playing as well."

Flint Hamady grad Brandie Baker scored nine points with four rebounds. She has accepted an offer from a Chinese professional team and will leave the first week of August so she won't be finishing the summer as a Monarch.

Originally scheduled to redo its final home game for some time in August, the WABA has now decided to forgo its original plans for a playoff format to host one last championship game that could be played this weekend in Flint. League owners are still working out the terms of what will happen, but it will be determined this week.

The WABA has received little attention this summer, mainly due to its poor marketing, which failed to generate much hype from any of the major markets. However, Schnorenberg believes the league will get more notice in the future as things get planned out more carefully.

"I really like where this is headed. I just want to put an exclamation point on this season by hosting a championship," Schnorenberg said. "I understand that it's the first year and there's going to be a lot of bumps in the road, but we're continuing to do what we can control, and that's winning."