REDLANDS Bayside has a special connection to American basketball’s biggest stage, with Moreton Bay College alumni Miela Sowah celebrating her first WNBA championship as the Golden State Valkyries completed a remarkable rise to the top of women’s basketball.
In just their second season in the competition, the Valkyries secured the ultimate prize, overcoming the Atlanta Dream 68-63 in a gripping championship decider at San Francisco’s Chase Center on Saturday.
The victory sealed a 4-3 triumph in the best-of-seven series, completing a fairytale championship campaign for one of the WNBA’s newest franchises.
For Sowah, the championship represents a remarkable milestone in her basketball journey after securing a player development opportunity earlier this year with Valkyries.
The two-time WNBL champion initially joined the Valkyries for training camp ahead of the 2026 WNBA season but was waived before the regular season commenced.
However, her American basketball ambitions received another opportunity on May 6 when Golden State signed her to one of its two Player Development roster spots.
Sowah went on to record 25 minutes of court time across the season, gaining valuable experience within a professional basketball environment that ultimately celebrated the sport’s biggest prize.
On the court, French international Gabby Williams delivered a championship-winning masterclass, producing a game-high 30 points to spearhead Golden State’s five-point victory.
Williams was outstanding when her team needed her most, converting 10 of her 23 field-goal attempts, including four three-pointers, while adding four blocks and two steals in a commanding all-round performance.
Kiah Stokes provided a formidable presence under the basket, collecting 13 rebounds and eight points, while Veronica Burton produced an impressive double-double with 10 points, 11 rebounds and five assists.
For Golden State, the championship represents an extraordinary achievement for a franchise that only entered the WNBA in 2025, transforming from league newcomers into champions in two seasons.
For Sowah, it marks another significant chapter in a basketball journey that began much closer to home, providing inspiration for aspiring young players across Redlands Bayside who dream of reaching the world’s biggest basketball stage.
