Where We Played
Parks as ground zero for grit
Women overwhelmingly identified neighborhood parks, playgrounds, and community centers as the foundation of their basketball development. Rather than structured practices, these informal spaces allowed young athletes to play for hours, compete against older players and boys, experiment creatively, and develop resilience through constant competition. Many described neighborhood courts as "ground zero"—places where earning a spot in the next game demanded skill, toughness, and confidence. Beyond athletic development, these spaces also fostered friendships, mentorship, and a strong sense of community that extended well beyond basketball.
Doris "DJ" Jones
Doris Jones was a 1,000-point scorer at McKinley High School and played at Louisville where she scored 804 points with 399 assists in 114 games. She was a basketball official, working both high school and NCAA games and is a member of the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame.
Yvette Angel
Yvette Angel played at Sacred Heart Academy earning Parade Magazine Second Team All-American in 1981. She was an All-American at Ohio State University playing for Tara VanDerveer, leading the program to four straight Big 10 titles. She is a member of the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame.
Alisa Robinson
Alisa Robinson is one of the most prolific scorers in Western New York women’s basketball history. She began her college career at Hilbert in 1986, then transferred to Canisius where her 670‑point campaign in 1989–90 still ranks as the highest single‑season total in program history.
Texlin Quinney
Texlin played at Sacred Heart from 1988-1992, leading the team to the New York State Federation Championship her senior season. She went on to play Division I basketball at Seton Hall and played for one season for the WNBA’s Indian Fever.
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