TULSA, Okla. — This week, a basketball team made up of Senior Women from Green Country earned fourth place overall in the Senior National Games.
They had been practicing the last few weeks leading up to the competition.
"It's like the Olympics, but they can't call it the Olympics, so they call it the Senior National Games," says Sherril Stone. She's the team captain of the Tulsa Tornadoes, the 7-woman team of 55 to 64-year-olds who went to play in the Tournament.
The team was one of around a dozen qualified from around the country. It's impressive, considering the Tulsa Tornadoes were formed by a quick spin-up. The entire team is made up of women who signed up to play in the Senior Women's basketball group after seeing a story on 2 News Oklahoma last fall.
"We've only been playing since January, and most of these teams have been together for years, so we're pretty proud of ourselves," says Stone.
The seniors play half-court three on three with 15 minutes halves.
Kim Bunker plays for the Tulsa Tornadoes and is the team coach.
"We worked hard as a team, we worked on a lot of drills, we've done a lot of plays, we hope to at least get up there and get a medal," says Bunker.
This team is formed from a larger group of women in their 50s, 60s, 70s, and 80s who practice and play together a few times a week. We caught up with them during practice at Hicks Park Community Center. The ladies are grateful to Hicks for supporting their love of the game. They are also hopeful this story will attract more Senior women who'd like to play. It's free to join this senior basketball group, but you have to be 50 and above. You don't have to have any previous experience, but you do have to want to have fun.
"Come out and try; you never know if you don't try," says Bunker.
The Senior National Games began Friday. The Tornadoes ended the competition in fourth place out of 14 teams who went.
What's next for them? They will continue to have more time to practice together and possibly grow the team.
For more information on joining the group, click here: click here.
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