The National Senior Games were played in Houston, Texas, and Tulsa, Oklahoma had four women's basketball teams go to the games. A couple of players and the training staff from the Tulsa Shock, a professional women’s basketball team in the WNBA, put on a basketball clinic for the four women's teams.
"Makes you wish you were 20 again," said player Jane Soeten. "I didn't know they did all that warm up. You saw us when we finished the warm up – we were worn out."
Jane Soeten is a member of the Sooner Gals, Tulsa's 80 and older basketball team.
“I'm the baby on the team," Jane said at 84. Jane told us when she was young, playing sports wasn't lady-like, so she didn't start playing basketball until she was 65. Now, Jane enjoys the competition and the activity. "What I think it does, it keeps you motivated to keep moving.
Tiffany Jackson and Ivory Latta from the Shock worked with the ladies on their basketball skills, and they were impressed by what they saw.
“It was beyond amazing," said Latta. "I can look at them and see one day when I get to be 85, I'll be able to come out and play basketball and love doing it."
There are four teams: Happy Hoopers in the 65–69-year-old division, the Oklahoma Thrillers at 70–74, the Golden Girls at 75–79, and the Sooner Gals are 80 plus.
The senior games in Houston were more than basketball for Jane Soeten. "I do the discus, javelin, shot put, long jump triple jump, and the hammer throw," she said.
Her teammate Juanita Gilligan says this will be their last national competition, but she has other goals.
"I think I'm gonna take up golf after this. "
