KENNER, La. — The basketball court has felt like home for Bruins teammates Loriell Lewis and Anaiah Perry for much of their lives as they both started playing the game as young girls. Now, teens, the small forwards who play on varsity for Bonnabel, light up when talking about the game.
"One highlight was I remember we had one game it was actually this year I had 12 points," Lewis recounted.
"My highlight move was when I spun around this girl and threw an assist to Lo over there and she made a corner three I think that was a highlight," Perry said.
Each loves a different aspect about the sport – from the sisterhood to the mental challenge the game brings. But what they don't love – the lack of respect women's basketball gets. That even affected how the girls viewed the game they play.
"A few years ago, I was not interested in women’s sports at all. I was like yeah I rather watch the men's but last year and this year I enjoy watching it. I feel like the women have put on a show and they showed their power and we really on top," Lewis said.
Not only is it not respected, but their coach Danisha Shaw says it's not a growing sport.
"Honestly, not really, it’s not a growing sport. You have to go and find those girls and help and grow them with the game teach them and train them up," Shaw said.
Now, though, they hope and believe that's changing. With women's college basketball growing each year they're excited for the future of the sport. They say the NCAA Women's College Basketball championship this year changed things.
"My favorite game, UConn and Iowa, that was a real good game. I loved that game. To see everyone watching that and in tune with the game, not just putting it on and not watching it. But everyone was in tune. They were placing bets on it. Making bets on a girl's game is crazy," Perry said.
They credit players like Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark for changing viewers' perspectives on the game.
"I really enjoyed it. It was a really good show they really put on a great show they showed women’s basketball is really good and I feel like people should pay attention more I feel like people shouldn’t underestimate it," Lewis said.
Shaw says it's about time.
"It’s exciting! Women’s basketball been lit. We’ve been lit. But now everyone. It’s the hype era. Now that everyone's paying attention to the particulars and changing their perspective about the women’s game, it’s even more lit. And I appreciate Angel Reese and Cailtin Clark and all the girls bringing the flame back because it’s always been there, it’s just someone had to light it again," Shaw said.
The athletes say this growth excited them about their own future in the sport, with each Perry and Lewis considering taking their game to the next level and playing in college. In the meantime, they have a message for sports enthusiasts as they prepare to watch the WNBA draft Monday night.
"I think women’s sports are underestimated but if you really just pay attention you can see women can go far and they can go farther than man as they did this year," Lewis said.
"We’re up girls we’re getting up there we’re going to change the game and you’re going to see us the way you were supposed to see us," Perry said.