Seniors are still on the ball

Billie Gay Smith dribbles down the court last Wednesday evening during practice. (T-G Photo by Sadie Fowler) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

Since September, Allen has been coaching 21 women, all at least 50 years old, twice a week in preparation for the state Senior Olympic finals to be held July 17-23 in Franklin.

"These ladies are really an inspiration," said Cindy Allen, team manager.

This is Beth's first year coaching; it's the second year for Bedford County to have a team going to the state finals.

Zumba to basketball

"I was here for Zumba one night and I was asked to coach," said Beth, a former Eaglette who played for Rick Insell, now coach of Middle Tennessee State University's women's basketball program. "We have returning players this year and recruited 13 new ones."

Beth, who found a co-coach in another former Eaglette, Gloria Bryant, broke the team up into three groups by ages. Each group will compete in their respective divisions in Franklin. Those on the "baby" group range from ages 50 to 54, the teenyboppers are between 55 and 59 and the dinosaurs range from ages 60 to 64.

Beth Allen prepares her team for a drill last Wednesday. (T-G Photo by Sadie Fowler) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

Last year the team placed fourth in the state finals, but this year, with a stronger, larger team, they're hoping to move up a notch or two. They play July 21 at the Battleground Academy in Franklin. If they get into the finals, they will play on Wednesday, July 22.

Learning experience

The team traveled to Gatlinburg earlier this year to compete in a tournament. The tournament served as a bit of a wake-up call, Beth said.

"After we went to Gatlinburg we realized we had to recruit more people," Beth said. "Some of those ladies (at the tournament) had been playing together for 15 years."

The state finals are three-on-three games. Beth said before she could get the ladies in gear, she had to do a little research.

"I never played three-on-three," Beth laughed. "I got on the Internet and looked up three-on-three plays. And God bless them, if they would just play them we'd win every time."

It's all about fun

But for Beth, Gloria, Cindy, and the team members, playing ball is about more than just winning. It's about staying active, and having fun along the way.

"You can have a bad day and come out here with these ladies and it all goes away," Beth said. "They will put you in a good mood."

As they approach the games, the team practices Wednesdays and Sundays for nearly a couple hours.

"They are supposed to do conditioning on their own time," laughed Beth. "If we can keep them all healthy we should do well."

But that is easier said than done. One player just returned to practice after suffering a broken hip; another broke her foot in the Gatlinburg tournament.

Lifelong love

Bedford County's Senior Olympics basketball team includes, front row from left, Billie Gay Smith, Karen Thrasher, Yvonne McChristian, Sandra Schaffer, Patricia Robinson, Faye Buckingham, and Mary Jo Cartwright; middle row, Cindy Allen (manager), Dawn Bobo, Carol Green, Jennifer Jarrell, Joan Collins, and Beth Bobo Allen (coach); and back row, Jeweline Segroves, Dianne Woodson, Susie Henderson, Bertha Stewart, Vickki Cornish, and Gloria Bryant (coach). Team members not pictured are Jo Ann Bills, Margie Davidson, Janice Greene, and Terry Smith. (T-G Photo by Sadie Fowler) [Order this photo]

Despite a few setbacks, their dedication remains as strong as ever.

"Most of these ladies came and watched me and Gloria play when we were in high school," Beth said, explaining the ladies' love for the sport, which began when they were youngsters, has never wavered.

Team members include Billie Gay Smith (who played for Huntland in high school), Karen Thrasher (Huntland), Yvonne McChristian (Shelbyville), Sandra Schaffer (Coffee County), Emily Campbell (Cascade), Patricia Robinson, Faye Buckingham (Wartrace), Mary Jo Cartwright (Shelbyville), Dawn Bobo (Shelbyville), Carol Green (Coffee County), Jennifer Jarrell (Coffee County), Joan Collins (Shelbyville), Jeweline Segroves (Shelbyville), Dianne Woodson (Shelbyville), Bertha Stewart (Shelbyville), Vicki Cornish (Shelbyville), Jo Ann Bills (Shelbyville), Margie Davidson (Jackson), Janice Greene (Huntland), and Terry Smith (Franklin County).

Family traditions

Three of the ladies on the team have passed their love for the game onto their children, currently playing college basketball. Buckingham's son, Barry Stewart, plays at Mississippi State University; Bryant's daughter, Kayla Bryant, recently transferred to Union University in Jackson; and Jennifer Jarrell's daughter, Alex Jarrell, plays at Pepperdine University in California.

Learn more

For additional information on Senior Olympics women's basketball, call Cindy Allen at Shelbyville Recreation Center, 684-9780.