{"id":800136,"date":"2026-05-16T08:10:16","date_gmt":"2026-05-16T08:10:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/800136\/"},"modified":"2026-05-16T08:10:16","modified_gmt":"2026-05-16T08:10:16","slug":"jacksonville-waves-usher-in-new-era-of-womens-basketball-in-town-in-upshot-league-opener","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/800136\/","title":{"rendered":"Jacksonville Waves usher in new era of women\u2019s basketball in town in Upshot League opener"},"content":{"rendered":"

JACKSONVILLE, Fla.<\/strong> \u2013 The Jacksonville Waves and the Upshot League made a big debut on Friday night.<\/p>\n

The Waves opened the new era of professional women\u2019s basketball in town with a 103-95 loss to the Charlotte Crown at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena. An announced crowd of 7,308 saw the hometown Waves lead by a dozen in the second quarter, but the Crown clawed back to win the opening game in the upstart league. The four-team league is looking to become a viable alternative for players and fans of the WNBA. There are plans to add two more teams next season, and more after that. <\/p>\n

Former Bishop Kenny star and two-time All-News4JAX player of the year Jasmyne Roberts had 13 points for Charlotte. Deja Kelly had 31 to lead all players. Ribault grad Rennia Davis had nine points for Jacksonville. Ariel Hearn led the Waves with 25. <\/p>\n

Copyright 2026 by WJXT News4JAX – All rights reserved.<\/p>\n

About the AuthorJustin Barney headshotJustin Barney<\/a><\/p>\n

Justin Barney joined News4Jax in February 2019, but he\u2019s been covering sports on the First Coast for more than 20 years.<\/p>\n

Jaguars reveal truth about Trevor Lawrence\u2019s new hairdo<\/p>\n

\u25b6 1:07<\/p>\n

Jaguars reveal truth about Trevor Lawrence\u2019s new hairdoA look at the Jaguars 2026 schedule!<\/p>\n

\u25b6 1:10<\/p>\n

A look at the Jaguars 2026 schedule!Jacksonville IRONMAN Triathlon begins Saturday; US Coast Guard says there will be increased security<\/p>\n

\u25b6 1:00<\/p>\n

Jacksonville IRONMAN Triathlon begins Saturday; US Coast Guard says there will be increased securityMan shot by JSO after hostage situation involving woman, infant<\/p>\n

\u25b6 2:20<\/p>\n

Man shot by JSO after hostage situation involving woman, infantBrysen Wright with the endzone look in spring\u2026 saving the real magic for the season<\/p>\n

\u25b6 0:13<\/p>\n

Brysen Wright with the endzone look in spring\u2026 saving the real magic for the seasonSafety Dance activated \ud83d\ude02 Mandarin Mustangs out here celebrating that 2-piece special. #Varsity4<\/p>\n

\u25b6 0:18<\/p>\n

Safety Dance activated \ud83d\ude02 Mandarin Mustangs out here celebrating that 2-piece special. #Varsity4When Hicks Zarah gets downhill\u2026 it\u2019s over for whoever\u2019s in the way \ud83d\uded1 #Varsity4<\/p>\n

\u25b6 0:15<\/p>\n

When Hicks Zarah gets downhill\u2026 it\u2019s over for whoever\u2019s in the way \ud83d\uded1 #Varsity4Attorney for off-duty JSO officer accused in skate park takedown pleased after client cleared<\/p>\n

\u25b6 0:34<\/p>\n

Attorney for off-duty JSO officer accused in skate park takedown pleased after client clearedBattle over beer brewing: Hastings church appeals pizza restaurant\u2019s alcohol approval<\/p>\n

\u25b6 1:05<\/p>\n

Battle over beer brewing: Hastings church appeals pizza restaurant\u2019s alcohol approvalMan found fatally shot near Normandy Boulevard on Jacksonville\u2019s Westside<\/p>\n

\u25b6 1:11<\/p>\n

Man found fatally shot near Normandy Boulevard on Jacksonville\u2019s WestsideWhen Kyree Wilson gets the ball in space\u2026 it\u2019s a wrap \ud83d\ude24<\/p>\n

\u25b6 0:20<\/p>\n

When Kyree Wilson gets the ball in space\u2026 it\u2019s a wrap \ud83d\ude24Pt. 2: Batteries out. Parts off. New tools and toys for This Old Golf Cart<\/p>\n

\u25b6 4:02<\/p>\n

Pt. 2: Batteries out. Parts off. New tools and toys for This Old Golf Cart’Erased is a good one’: Jaguars rookie WR Josh Cameron dishes on his favorite hobby: anime<\/p>\n

\u25b6 0:36<\/p>\n

‘Erased is a good one’: Jaguars rookie WR Josh Cameron dishes on his favorite hobby: animeAt 73 and still going strong, Susan Wallis continues to inspire as she gets ready for 48th Ironman<\/p>\n

\u25b6 1:48<\/p>\n

At 73 and still going strong, Susan Wallis continues to inspire as she gets ready for 48th IronmanEva Longear-ia needs a home! \ud83d\udc36\ud83c\udfe1 <\/p>\n

\u25b6 1:08<\/p>\n

Eva Longear-ia needs a home! \ud83d\udc36\ud83c\udfe1 News4JAX ride-along with JSO DUI Patrol on Cinco de Mayo ends with arrest<\/p>\n

\u25b6 2:31<\/p>\n

News4JAX ride-along with JSO DUI Patrol on Cinco de Mayo ends with arrestPhase III water limits hit homeowners across Northeast Florida<\/p>\n

\u25b6 0:45<\/p>\n

Phase III water limits hit homeowners across Northeast FloridaJacksonville unveils Riverfront Music Garden, reopen Northbank Riverwalk to honor city\u2019s heritage<\/p>\n

\u25b6 1:45<\/p>\n

Jacksonville unveils Riverfront Music Garden, reopen Northbank Riverwalk to honor city\u2019s heritageCity of Jacksonville shares details, gathers input on next phase of Riverfront Plaza<\/p>\n

\u25b6 1:34<\/p>\n

City of Jacksonville shares details, gathers input on next phase of Riverfront PlazaJoshua Phillips withdraws bid for sentence review, cites need for professional counseling<\/p>\n

\u25b6 1:43<\/p>\n

Joshua Phillips withdraws bid for sentence review, cites need for professional counselingHold up wait a minute, I’m about to put some green in it!<\/p>\n

\u25b6 4:59<\/p>\n

Hold up wait a minute, I’m about to put some green in it!Shanna Gardner, Henry Tenon return to court for another pre-trial hearing<\/p>\n

\u25b6 0:42<\/p>\n

Shanna Gardner, Henry Tenon return to court for another pre-trial hearingFatal road rage shooting of Jacksonville musician Joe Starkey was justified under Florida law: SAO<\/p>\n

\u25b6 1:22<\/p>\n

Fatal road rage shooting of Jacksonville musician Joe Starkey was justified under Florida law: SAOAffordable housing project planned for Springfield as development reshapes neighborhood<\/p>\n

\u25b6 1:11<\/p>\n

Affordable housing project planned for Springfield as development reshapes neighborhoodJacksonville councilwoman declines to comment on HR investigation that removed her from classroom<\/p>\n

\u25b6 0:35<\/p>\n

Jacksonville councilwoman declines to comment on HR investigation that removed her from classroomPrevious photoNext photo<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"JACKSONVILLE, Fla. \u2013 The Jacksonville Waves and the Upshot League made a big debut on Friday night. The…\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":800137,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5136],"tags":[5229,3188,723,7310,76542,67,586,132,5230,68,2969,39399],"class_list":{"0":"post-800136","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-jacksonville","8":"tag-america","9":"tag-fl","10":"tag-florida","11":"tag-jacksonville","12":"tag-sports4jax","13":"tag-united-states","14":"tag-united-states-of-america","15":"tag-unitedstates","16":"tag-unitedstatesofamerica","17":"tag-us","18":"tag-usa","19":"tag-waves"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@us\/116583243831370681","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/800136","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=800136"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/800136\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/800137"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=800136"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=800136"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=800136"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}