Flint Monarchs announce 2018 schedule; season begins Saturday

FLINT, MI -- The Flint Monarchs open defense of their Global Women's Basketball Association championship at 3 p.m. (ET) Saturday on the road against the Illinois Warriors.

It's the first of nine regular-season games for the Monarchs.

Their home opener will be at 4 p.m. June 9 against the Milwaukee Aces at the Dort Federal Event Center, the new home of the Monarchs.

The Monarchs roster includes local products Arlesia Morse, Sparkle Taylor, Brandie Baker and Jasmine Thomas as well as recent college players Taylor Gleason of Goodrich and Morgan Neeley of Hamady.

Also returning form last year's team are Detroit-area products Jasmine McCall, Crystal Bradford and Nya Jordan.

"This is going to be the best season of basketball we've ever had for the Flint Monarchs," said team president and general manager Drey Wynn.

"This talent-laden roster is very strong and we have our dark horse back with us this season who arguably is our best player in Jasmine Thomas."

The Monarchs' other home games will be July 7 against Illinois, July 20 against the Toledo Threat, July 21 against the Chicago Breeze and Aug. 4 against the Indianapolis Bandits.

All home games will start at 4 p.m. with he exception of the Toledo game, which begins at 2 p.m.

Road games are scheduled for June 16 against Chicago, June 30 against Indianapolis and July 14 against Milwaukee.

The playoffs begin Aug. 18 and the GWBA championship game is Aug. 25.

Tickets to home games are $10 for general admission seating. Tickets are on sale at the Dort Federal Event Center box office. Parking is free.

Flint Monarchs announce 2018 schedule