Brandon High School graduate Chelsey Buhler was a first-hand witness to a part of Detroit championship history.
Buhler, 18, was at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit as part of the Shockwave dance team for Game 5 of the Women’s National Basketball Association finals between the Detroit Shock and the Sacramento Monarchs. The Shock defeated the Monarchs 80-75 for their second WNBA championship, the first coming in 2003.
She said the crowd of 19,671 helped create a frenzied atmosphere for the decisive Game 5.
‘It was totally energetic,? she said. ‘Everyone was really into the game ? they were very loud, very supportive. The crowd played a key role. People were in line two hours before the game to get in.?
Buhler said after the victory, the members of the Shockwave celebrated with the team on the floor, and received championship T-shirts. However, they were not allowed in the Shock locker room for the postgame champagne celebration, since the dance team members were under the legal drinking age of 21.
‘That was the biggest game I’ve ever been part of,? she said. ‘It was very close to the Pistons (in terms of crowd size).?
On Tuesday, Sept. 12, Buhler and her Shockwave teammates took part in the Shock’s championship celebration at the Coleman A. Young Municipal Building on Jefferson Avenue in Detroit, in front of a specially decorated Spirit of Detroit statue. Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick served as master of ceremonies for the celebration.
After that, Buhler started preparing for her next venture as a member of the Detroit Pistons? Automotion dance team. She was scheduled to leave Thursday, Sept. 14 for a Automotion calendar photo shoot in Bay Harbor, Mich., before returning Monday, Sept. 18.
On Thursday, Sept. 21, she is scheduled to start practicing with Automotion in preparation for the Pistons? preseason schedule.