Monday, September 17, 2007
THE BIG E
Energy, enthusiasm, encouragement, exercise, enjoyment, entertainment, effort, elation. . . these words and more describe my latest adventure into the world of senior olympics basketball. It has recently taken me to San Diego for a tournmanet with a wonderful bunch of folks who helped us prove old age is not for sissies. Even the young audience seemed happy to see that later life is not doomed to be spent in a rocking chair. Ladies who were not able to play the sport were on hand to serve delicious food and encourage us in our fun.
Learning a new game at 70 has been an Exciting Elder Educational Experience. Three-on-three half-court basketball is quite different from the way we played 50+ years ago when I was in high school. Some of our team had never played the game before, and call it a dream-come-true. Everyone is so friendly and helpful, even on the opposing teams, and we often heard apologies for fouls and goofs. It seemed more like a family reunion than competition.
Besides the four games we played, there were free-throw and hot-shot contests that some chose not to enter, so the competition was sparse. Probably only one other lady was in my age bracket, as I won a medal in each category. And since there was only one other team our age, we automatically took second place without winning a single game. Our team, which had little practice together beforehand, was beginning to jell a bit by the fouth game against a younger team, and did quite well. No matter what numbers were on the scoreboard, the Canyon Nets had as much fun as the best team in the gym.
Onward and upward!
Cora Gail Trent
www.cgtrent.com
cgtrent@att.net
Learning a new game at 70 has been an Exciting Elder Educational Experience. Three-on-three half-court basketball is quite different from the way we played 50+ years ago when I was in high school. Some of our team had never played the game before, and call it a dream-come-true. Everyone is so friendly and helpful, even on the opposing teams, and we often heard apologies for fouls and goofs. It seemed more like a family reunion than competition.
Besides the four games we played, there were free-throw and hot-shot contests that some chose not to enter, so the competition was sparse. Probably only one other lady was in my age bracket, as I won a medal in each category. And since there was only one other team our age, we automatically took second place without winning a single game. Our team, which had little practice together beforehand, was beginning to jell a bit by the fouth game against a younger team, and did quite well. No matter what numbers were on the scoreboard, the Canyon Nets had as much fun as the best team in the gym.
Onward and upward!
Cora Gail Trent
www.cgtrent.com
cgtrent@att.net
