Convenience Big Store: Remembering Houston's trailblazing women's basketball champions

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Today's starting lineup

The Gordie Howe-led Aeros of the 1970s. Hakeem Olajuwon's mid-90s Rockets. The Cynthia Cooper/Sheryl Swoopes/Tina Thompson Comets from 1997-2000. The 2006 and 2007 Dynamo. The star-laden 2017 and 2022 Astros. We know Houston's celebrated championship teams. But do you remember the Houston Angels? Danielle Lerner takes a deep dive into the history of the team that won the first professional women's basketball championship in the United States, but whose legacy has largely been forgotten over the decades.

Please scroll down for the rest of this morning's headlines.

Greg Rajan, Senior Editor

greg.rajan@houstonchronicle.com

Basketball

Photo by: Gulf Photo, Houston Chronicle File

Houston's forgotten hoops champions

As the WNBA surges in popularity, it owes a debt to the pioneers of the WBL, who endured chauvinistic journalists and bounced paychecks to pursue their passion. Among those trailblazers were the Houston Angels, the first women's pro basketball champs.

Texans / NFL

Suspended after a positive test for performance-enhancing drugs, Texans defensive end Denico Autry denied using illegal substances and blamed it on a pharmacy providing the wrong medication.

Photo by: Tim Warner/Getty Images

Mail call

Jonathan M. Alexander takes his weekly plunge into readers' Texans questions, including possible pursuits before the trade deadline and the impact of the latest suspension to the defensive line.

Help from an old friend? Could Robert Saleh, who has connections to Houston and DeMeco Ryans, help the Texans against his old team in a couple weeks? GM Nick Caserio praises the fired Jets coach. Read More
Different look for Packers: The Texans are going to luck out with the weather in Green Bay, but the Packers are still calling it their "Winter Warning" game as they go for a whiteout with alternate uniforms. Read More

Sports Media

Announcer Jim Nantz speaks during the NCAA Tournament national final game at NRG Stadium on Monday, April 3, 2023, in Houston.

Photo by: Brett Coomer, Staff Photographer

Hello again, Houston friends

CBS' Jim Nantz is working his first Texans game this weekend in nearly four years. The longtime play-by-play man and UH graduate would love to make Houston assignments a habit, as happened with the dynasties of the Patriots and Chiefs.

Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. (10) takes a shot against New Orleans Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram (14) during the second half on a preseason NBA basketball game on Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024 in Houston.

Photo by: Brett Coomer, Staff Photographer

Going with the flow

The Rockets, among the NBA's most adept teams at running the floor, were one of last season's worst at getting points in the middle of the shot clock. Now they're working on generating scoring when the fast break isn't there.

UH Football

FORT WORTH, TX - OCTOBER 4: A.J. Haulcy #2 of the Houston Cougars intercepts as DJ Rogers #0 of the TCU Horned Frogs looks on during the first half at Amon G. Carter Stadium on October 4, 2024 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)

Photo by: Ron Jenkins, Getty Images

Will takeaways lead to turnaround?

The Cougars had two interceptions and a pair of fumble recoveries against TCU, indicative of what coach Willie Fritz knows is an almost sure path to victory.

Where the pros play: UH will play Saturday at Kansas City's Arrowhead Stadium, the home of the Chiefs. Here's a look at how the Cougars have fared at NFL venues through the years. Read More

College Football

Carson Beck, who led a Georgia rally against Alabama, will be one of the keys in Saturday's game between the fifth-ranked Bulldogs and No. 1 Texas Longhorns.

Photo by: Kevin C. Cox, Getty Images

Inside the SEC showdown

Texas' defense will face its toughest challenge of the year in Georgia quarterback Carson Beck's passing game. We take a closer look inside the matchups Saturday night in Austin.

Coaches cashing in: The Longhorns' Steve Sarkisian is the third highest-paid football coach in the country, but plenty of other coaches in Texas are doing well. Read More
Western Kentucky 31, Sam Houston 14: Caden Veltkamp threw for 281 yards and three touchdowns as Western Kentucky beat Sam Houston. Read More

Astros / MLB

Houston Astros pitcher Josh Hader (71) delivers in the ninth inning during Game 1 of the American League Wild Card Series at Minute Maid Park, Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024, in Houston.

Photo by: Brett Coomer, Staff Photographer

Offseason analysis: Bullpen

The back-end trio of Josh Hader, Ryan Pressly and Bryan Abreu amassed a lot of K's, but a high number of blown saves may suggest a lighter workload is needed.

Dodgers 8, Mets 0: Shohei Ohtani hit a three-run homer to punctuate Los Angeles' rout of New York to take a 2-1 lead in the NLCS. Read More

High School Football

Katy running back Tremayne Hill (2) celebrates with wide receiver Cade McCall (8) after scoring a 32-yard touchdown during the first quarter of a non-district high school football game at Legacy Stadum, Friday, Sept. 6, 2024, in Katy.

Photo by: Jason Fochtman, Staff Photographer

Another challenger to the throne

Perennial power Katy and upstart Jordan are both unbeaten in District 19-6A ahead of Friday's game. We also look at this week's other notable matchups around the Houston area.