The second season of the WBL would kick off Thursday, November 15. Not with the 8 original teams from the inaugural season, but 14 (with the original Dayton Rockettes team not making it to season 2). The new teams:
Washington Metros
Philadelphia Fox
St. Louis Streak
Dallas Diamonds
California Dreams
San Francisco Pioneers
New Orleans Pride
The massive expansion was Byrnes idea as stated his philosophy was "No fancy promises, no quick profits" With 14 teams, there would now be 3 divisions.
The league would once again use the National Scouting Association to come up with a list for it's second draft.
Heading this list was Nancy Lieberman from Old Dominion. Other All Americans included Jill Rankin, Denis Curry, Rosie Walker and Lynnette Woodard.
Woodard would not be drafted as she was only a junior at Kansas. She would go on to become the first lady Harlem Globetrotter and even play in the WNBA. Another noticable name in the list was Valerie Still. Val would go on to become MVP of the championship series in the ABL for the Columbus Quest.
The season consisted of 36 games with a division champion and runner up both making the playoffs.
The New York Stars would win the eastern division with a 28-7 record, followed by upstart New Orleans Pride at 22-13.
The Midwest would again be won by Iowa at 24-12 with Minnesota Fillies a close second at 22-12.
The western division had the current world champion Houston Angels at 19-14 on top of the San Francisco Pioneers at 18-18.
First round playoffs would be best 2 of 3 with the top 2 teams (New York and Iowa) getting byes.
San Francisco would avenge their second place finish by beating Houston 2-1 and eliminating the possiblity of the Angels repeating as champions.
Minnesota Fillies would be the New Orleans Pride 2-1 with one of the games going to OT before the Fillies would pull it at at 93-93.
In the second round New York Stars would make a quick series, sweeping the Pioneers 2-0 and the Fillies would fall to the powerhouse Iowa Cornet's 2-1.
The Championship would be best 3-5. WBL games were known for their high scoring games and this championship series didnt disappoint. New York would win 3-1.
1. New York 128 - Iowa 96 (in NY)
2. New York 119 - Iowa 99 (NY)
3. Iowa 119 - New York 112 (IA)
4. New York 125 - Iowa 114 (IA)
One of the biggest moments in womens basketball also happened this year. Ann Meyers (shown above) became the first woman to sign a contract with the NBA. She would end up getting cut during training camp of the Indiana Pacers and play for the New Jersey Gems. She would average 22.8 pts a game and share co-MVP honors with Molly Bolin (32.8 points a game)
