The St.Louis Surge didn’t disappoint the energized crowd inside the Mark Twain building on the campus of UMSL. The Surge won their home opener 103-88 against the Nebraska Strikers, the only team to put a loss on the Surge ( 5-1). The Surge got tested by the Nebraska Strikers especially in the first quarter of the game. Strikers point guard Michaela Houser had a sizzling first quarter at one point outscoring the Surge all by herself 16-15. But the Strikers surprisingly abandoned their hot shooting point guard and played a lot of one on one basketball.
Houser went more than four minutes into second quarter without getting a shot. And by the time she finally was able to take one she cooled off considerably.
By this time it was too late for a comeback.
Surge guard Rebecca Harris was unguardable she led them with 27 points and did it with an array of cross overs, pull up jumpers – along with pure desire and determination. She is really good at changing directions without sacrificing any speed whatsoever. Harris played the game with a chip on both shoulders. It was as if every shot Strikers point guard Michaels Houser made just got Harris more agitated – and there wasn’t a Strikers player within distance of at least one Metrolink’s Station stop that wanted to take a charge against Harris.
And she wasn’t alone either. 6’4 post player Michala Johnson showed off her smooth post moves finishing with either hand and has the softest touch around the basket. She plays well without ball in hands. Very difficult to guard in post, Johnson is not a bad interior passer either. After she made a couple shots in the post, she had the Strikers off balance on defense.
The Surge just kept coming in waves at the Strikers whether it was forward Shannity James, or Jaleesa Butler and Leah Cotton. This is a very very deep team and fun to watch all together.
Surge owner Khalia Collier started off the game in heels, but then she changed into tennis shoes and her Surge basketball shirt. She greeted every single person in attendance, even twice if need be. What this young lady has accomplished is quite remarkable, and it’s only going to get better.
Next up for the Surge is another home game this time against the Iowa Force (2-3) tip off at 7:05. If you haven’t already, please subscribe to St. Louis American YouTube page. Like us on Facebook and Instagram. Follow Palmer Alexander III on twitter @thelegendkil and @NTheZoneNetwork
