HUNTSVILLE – The area’s new professional basketball team, the North Alabama War Dawgs and North Alabama Diva Dawgs have filled their rosters, set their schedules and now are ready to fill the stands.

The team is affiliated with the American Basketball Association or ABA, the largest professional sports league in the United States. Team owners are Christopher Burge and Timothy Jones.

Their season officially started with an away game against the Atlanta Storm on Oct. 26, but the travel did not delay the team’s involvement in Madison County. The War Dawgs and the Divas already have been active in several community events and happenings. The basketball team held a Fast Break Camp at Lakewood Gymnasium where they ran drills and helped local kids to improve their skills.

The Diva Dawgs were instrumental in organizing and presenting the Zumba event at Bridge Street Town Centre to support breast cancer research. An assistant coach for the Divas dance team was an instructor.

“The choice to locate the team in Huntsville came down to wanting to be in a city with a true sense of community. The mayor and the city have a beautiful chemistry. Things get done here in Huntsville, and the people of Huntsville are well represented in the process,” co-owner Burge said.

“The economic development force at play here is doing an amazing job. We want to be a small part of the vibe happening here in the Huntsville area. We just hope to deliver a great experience to the people of North Alabama,” Burge said.

“We thought it would be a good idea to host at Jemison High School because it’s new and gives us the opportunity to make a real difference for the North Alabama community,” Burge said.

Their inaugural season is demanding plenty of preparation. “It’s my hope that I can make this experience insightful, fun and memorable for everyone involved — players, dance team, staff and, most importantly, the fans,” Courtney Benjamin said. Benjamin is General Manager and Head Coach for Diva Dawgs dance team.

Benjamin plans to work with local colleges to extend internships to students at Alabama A&M University and Oakwood University.

For a game schedule and other information, visit Wardawgsbball.com.