Tragedy struck when Hurricane Helene, considered the deadliest to strike the mainland U.S. since Katrina by the researchers, hit major parts of the USA. The calamity induced by the hurricane gripped Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and others. And among the millions displaced, is the South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley’s former teammate Tynesha Lewis.

Staley shared the disappointing news on Friday through X and requested her fans to help Lewis. “Hurricane Helene has displaced and become a real challenge for my friend and former @WNBA teammate @iamtynesha and her Asheville team…please help if you’re able. Love thy neighbor!,” Staley requested to locals and her followers.

The Hurricane has affected hundreds of lives in Western North Carolina. According to many reports, the death toll has already reached over 115, and the complete scope of the devastation caused by the natural calamity in the already water-logged areas is not known so far. However, the affected people are being relocated. Resonating with the same, the reigning National Champion head coach couldn’t help but ask people to help her former teammate.

Lewis was drafted as the second-round pick in the W by the Houston Comets in 2001. Representing the Comets for two years, Lewis moved on to the Charlotte Sting where she played with Staley as a teammate, the 1999 first-round pick. One of the most memorable games for the Comets, came up when Lewis made a driving layup at the buzzer to help her team win 59-57 against the San Antonio Stars in June 2004.

The two had reportedly formed a close bond as Lewis remembered Staley’s words of wisdom to her: “When in doubt, take it to the basket.” And Lewis did exactly that. Though she scored only four points in the game, her layup came when her team needed it the most. However, Lewis’ role with the Sting decreased over time and she transferred to the Minnesota Lynx, where she plied her trade for 2 seasons before calling it a day.

Story of Tynesha Lewis and Dawn Staley after being teammates

Much like Staley, Lewis made a comeback to basketball when she started coaching. While Staley was the head coach for the Temple Owls team from 2000-08, Lewis started as a graduate assistant for the NC State from 2011 season onwards. Though Staley secured herself a stable college, Lewis continued to progress from team to team, ultimately taking over the role of a head coach at the Elizabeth City State Vikings from 2020-2024.

This season, she became the head coach for UNC Ashville whereas Staley operates next to it in the Southern part, and has earned herself quite a name. Furthermore, Lewis’ achievements might pale in front of Staley but have their own fan following. She took the Vikings to a 61–29 record and helped them secure a championship.

For her work, she was named the National Sports Media Association’s Clarence “Big House” Gaines coach of the year for Division II in 2023. And hopefully, she will bring the same work ethic to Ashville. Hopefully, she will be able to rise from the setbacks caused by the natural calamity.