National Senior Games

On Tuesday, July 7, the East Coast Bouncers basketball team met in Minneapolis for participation in the Senior Games. After registering for the games and checking in to our hotel, the Hilton Minneapolis, we drove to our venue for a practice session. Since I had rented the Chevy Traverse and had the most experience driving in big city traffic, I was driver for the week.

Tuesday night, upon returning to our hotel after dinner, I heard someone calling my name. I kept looking around and finally spotted Phyliss and Sharon Stark sitting in Jody's car. Jody, whom I've known since I was 5 years old, was inside registering as they had driven up from Iowa to surprise me and watch our Wednesday games. And I was surprised!! I was also very tired as we had gotten up at 3:30 am to catch our flight. I didn't feel like I could go to bed too early since they had driven all that way AND spent $300 to stay in the same hotel. I took them to the bar in the hotel for a drink and food. We had almost two hours together before I began fading quickly.

My former teammates at the venue where we played basketball. Beautiful campus!!

Wednesday we played North Carolina Shooting 70's and Connecticut High Fives and won both games. My former high school teammates loved it and said they had a good time They headed back to Iowa around 4:30.

Thursday we played San Diego and a second game with the Shooting 70's. We won both games and finished pool play at 4-0. Today our cheerleaders were my sister, Jan, niece Brittany and two of her teenage daughters as well as niece Marla. They enjoyed watching the old ladies play and my nieces felt the need to get in shape. They all wanted to get out there and play.

Friday was the start of medal play. Cheering section today consisted of Jan, niece Marla, nephew Stan, his wife and four little kids, as well as some Village people. Our first game was against Texas Ball Hawgs. They have three 3-point shooters while we have very little outside shooting, which would be our downfall. This game I had 22 points, several hookshots, and my teammate, Julie, had 19. The last few minutes they sank some threes but we were able to hang on for the win. We starters played all 30 minutes of this game.

Edna shooting free throw against Ball Hawgs in Championship game.

Our second game was against Michigan Spirits, who had beat us for gold in Utah last October. We did a good job holding down "Big Edna"  but lost 30-28. Played all 30 minutes of this game also. I missed a layup in the last minute. Needless to say, I thought about that shot over and over. For the fifth night in a row, I did not sleep well.

Since it's double elimination, we played on Saturday. First game was a 9:00 against New Mexico Foxtrotters, a team we lost to in Utah. We beat them this time and that put us up against the Ball Hawgs again at 11:00.

After scoring 22 against this team the day before, I only got 6 points. I did block a couple 3 point attempts but I was so tired. My legs felt like rubber and I couldn't get my offense going. Plus they were putting all three of the players across the key and we had no one to pull them out. I got so frustrated with one of the players hanging on my arm as I moved across the lane that I swung my shoulder around and told her to get off me. The official felt I was too aggressive and  gave me a technical. My first one ever! I wish I'd swung as hard as I could to make the foul worthwhile! We lost the game and we were now out of the tournament, one game short of getting at least a bronze medal. Instead, we came home with another ribbon for fourth place.

Notice how I'm leaning against the wall. I was TIRED! And here I thought I was in great shape.

As I reflect on our four days of competition, I realize there is more to this than a medal, which is what I really wanted! I received many compliments on my play, many people thought we'd be in the championship game. We also inspired the younger people who watched and were in awe that someone could play that level of ball in their 70's. I hope they will work to keep themselves in shape. Anyone can start participating in senior games at age 50. I wish I had known about them at least 10 years earlier. There are presently 19 sports but I'm sure they'll be adding soccer in the future.

On Sunday, I dropped my teammates off at the airport and I drove to Osakis to spend a couple days with sister Jan and her family. That evening we all gathered at nephew Stan's home for a BBQ. About the time we were going to eat, the sky became very dark and the tornado sirens began. We headed for the basement carrying our plates. Nephew Ron is a volunteer fireman so he had access to a radio which kept him in contact with other first responders. While it got windy, there was no tornado and Osakis was spared.

Monday, Jan took me on a tour. First stop was her church, which is out in the country. They had done lots of remodeling and it's a very nice country church. From there, we went back into Osakis and had lunch at Just Like Grandma's. It was so nice, we decided to eat outside. From Osakis, we drove to Alexandria. Two of Jan's four children and their families live there. She took me by all of their schools, including the brand new high school. A stop at Fleet Farm to say hello to Jan's husband, Don, and her daughter, Brittany, both of whom have worked here for years. A drive by her children's homes, a stop at DQ where her granddaughter served our cones, and a stop by son-in-law Tom's work so I could greet him. That evening, we were back at Stan's for shishkabob. Delicious!

The weather for my week in Minnesota was very comfortable for me. I had a great visit and it was fun spending time with so many family members.

Tuesday, July 14, I left Osakis at 9:15. Dropped off the rental at 11:45 and headed in to wait for my 2:40 flight. While eating lunch, I got a message that my flight was delayed to 3:35. I headed for the gate and said I wouldn't be able to make my 4:55 connection in Milwaukee. I was told that flight is also running late so I should make it. Seems there was a glitch or weather issue at LaGuardia and many flights were delayed as a result. I made my connection with 90 minutes to go. After a shuttle ride from Orlalndo, I arrived home around midnight. LONG day and three days later, I'm still tired!