Lady 716ers moving forward

As many may know, last season's 716ers Girls dance team was short-lived and we only got to see them in action early in the season. In an effort to make improvements on whatever caused that, the Lady 716ers Dance Team is taking a new direction for the 2015-16 season. To start with, their new coordinator is no stranger to the Buffalo dance/cheer scene. Spending 4 seasons on the sidelines at Ralph Wilson Stadium as a member of the Buffalo Jills, including the last two as co-captain, Loren is well-qualified to lead this squad forward into the future. Besides her experience as a Jill, she brings to the job outstanding choreographical skills, class, and a strong work ethic.

Director LaToya and Coordinator Loren

Their new director also brings pro experience to the job as 2015 Buffalo Bandettes rookie LaToya was hired for the job earlier in the week. Besides her time on the Bandettes, LaToya spent 2014 as a member of the Queen City Classic Dance Team. I haven't known LaToya as long as I have Loren so the biggest thing I can say about her based on personal observations is that with her as director, the squad will definitely be great in front of the camera as LaToya was an ace in that area this spring.

LaToya and Loren are hitting the ground running as they're already hard at work getting set for tryouts next month. September 11 is the date and the King Charter Central School is the location as tryouts take place from 6-8 that evening with registration starting at 5:30. The audition fee is $15 and if you make the squad, you will make that back as the 14 spots on the squad are a paid gig!
In addition, they're launching a kid's dance program with auditions for that happening on September 18th! They'll be taking 60 kids ages 12-17. Email  716erskidz@buffalo716ers.net for more info.

Introducing the Buffalo 716ers Dancers!

Professional basketball has had an up-and-down existence in Buffalo. The Buffalo Braves still have a devoted fanbase who want to see an NBA team return to Buffalo after the Braves left for the west coast to play in San Diego and then LA as the Clippers. In the past decade, three seperate minor league franchises have set up shop in Buffalo before folding and the 716ers are hoping the 4th one is the charm, playing in the Premier Basketball League for a 2nd season. Playing their home games at Tapestry Charter School just south of Hertel Avenue in North Buffalo just off Delaware Avenue, the games are affordable at $7 a ticket and this season feature a dance team that performs at intermissions and halftime.

With this being my 1st game covering the 716ers Girls, I had no idea what to expect so I kind of played it by ear. I never saw the squad's coaches when I was there which I found different but the squad seemed to be well-prepared from what I could tell. When I got there, I grabbed a seat in the stands not far from a rookie on the Bandettes who knows some members of the squad as well as some of the players.
Since I wasn't totally sure how to approach working with a brand new squad like this, I stuck to shooting video of their performances as well as a few stills of them in action. Hopefully as the season goes on, I'll get more photos and video of them in action.

For the people who really want to lure the NBA back to Buffalo, I definitely encourage you to go to these games. Besides the fact that these are professional basketball players representing Buffalo who deserve the support, a top league like the NBA will only take notice if the passion for pro basketball is high in the area. Back in the mid-90s, when MLB was looking at expanding, Buffalo had a strong shot at getting a franchise for one reason...Buffalo Bisons games had a lot of support. The support the AAFC Buffalo Bills got is also a huge reason that Ralph Wilson Jr placed the AFL's Bills in Buffalo as well.
As far as the game itself, Buffalo took an early lead behind Antonio Speed and Glenroy Carr and never looked back, sending the Titans back to Lynchburg after getting crushed by a score of 127-82 in front of a sold-out crowd for the Home Opener.
Coming up next for the 716ers and 716ers Girls, the Erie Hurricane blow into Buffalo Saturday at 2pm!

Buffalo 716ers schedule released!!

Today, the Premier Basketball League announced their schedule for the 2014-15 season and included in that is the schedule for the Buffalo 716ers, which gives us the chance to see not only some professional basketball in Buffalo, but the 1st Buffalo 716ers Girls Dance team in action. All of Buffalo's home games are played at Tapestry Charter School at 65 Great Arrow Avenue in Buffalo, just a few blocks south of Hertel Avenue just off of Delaware Avenue.

• Saturday, Dec 6 2pm Lynchburg Titans at Buffalo
• Saturday, Dec 13 2pm Erie Hurricane at Buffalo
• Sunday, Dec 21 time TBA Buffalo at Rochester Razorsharks
• Saturday, January 3 2pm Lynchburg Titans at Buffalo
• Sunday, January 4 time TBA Buffalo at Rochester Razorsharks
• Saturday, January 10 7pm Buffalo at Lynchburg Titans
• Sunday, January 11 time TBA Buffalo at Carolina Pee Dee Vipers
• Saturday, January 17 2pm Carolina Pee Dee Vipers at Buffalo
• Saturday, January 24 1pm Buffalo at Philadelphia Flight
• Saturday, January 31 2pm Rochester Razorsharks at Buffalo
• Saturday, February 7 2pm Erie Hurricane at Buffalo
• Sunday, February 8 3pm Buffalo at Erie Hurricane
• Saturday, February 21 2pm Philadelphia Flight at Buffalo
• Sunday, February 22 3pm Buffalo at Erie Hurricane
• Saturday, February 28, 3pm Buffalo at Rochester Razorsharks
• Saturday, March 7 2pm Philadelphia Flight at Buffalo
• Sunday, March 8, 3pm Buffalo at Lynchburg Titans
• Saturday, March 14 7pm Buffalo at Lynchburg Titans
• Saturday, March 21 2pm Rochester Razorsharks at Buffalo
• Saturday, March 28 2pm Erie Hurricane at Buffalo

Tickets go on sale at midnight tonight for all the games. In addition to Dec 6 being the season opener, it's also Kid's Day. Get season or individual tickets at http://www.buffalo716ers.net/
The tickets for the Red & White game on November 15th is sold out but there are plenty of tickets for the First Annual 2014 PBL Thanksgiving Charity Tournament, hosted by the Buffalo 716ers. There will be four teams from the PBL battling it out November 29th & November 30th. Tournament action begins at Noon, featuring the 2014 PBL champs, the Rochester Razorsharks vs. Grand Rapids Cyclones. At 2pm, the Buffalo 716ers take on the Philadelphia Flight!!! All the games will be held at Tapestry Charter School! Tickets are $10.00 per day, which include access to both games.