Senior Games basketball tourney here Monday
The McMinnville Civic Center will host a rare opportunity for basketball fans to see award-winning 3-on-3 teams compete Monday.
The Upper Cumberland district of the Tennessee Senior Games will hold a round-robin tournament in 3-on-3 basketball at the local gym, beginning at 9:30 a.m.
In Monday’s preliminary to the State Senior Games, which will be held in Franklin later this summer, four teams will compete, including two from McMinnville.
The McMinnville Bulldogs “70” squad is in its fourth year of competition. Organized in 2002, the team is coached by Dewey Cantrell and was founded by JoAn Cantrell. Newly inducted Warren County Sports Hall of Fame member Carolyn Cook Lance, as well as Betty Griffith Eaton, Barbara Jones Turner and Isobel Jordon Smith round out the team’s roster.
The 2002 version of the Bulldogs won the silver medal at the state Games and moved on to the national level, where they were eliminated in the third round. In 2003, Cantrell, Lance, Eaton, Turner, Blanche Danielson Cook and JoDean Mitchell Ward won the gold medal at the state Games.
Last year, interest was high enough around the area to form a second team, the Bulldogs “65.” Ward, Jo Jacobs Robinson and Rita Cook made up that team, while Eaton, Cantrell, Lance, Cook and Beverly Schwind remained with the “70” squad.
Tragically, following the district exhibition games in May of 2004, Eaton was diagnosed with cancer and was unable to attend the state competition. She passed away last September.
Bulldogs “65” went on to receive the district gold medal, and placed third in state competition, just missing a trip to nationals. “70” also took district gold, and finished with the state silver medal, qualifying them for the National games, which will be played in Pittsburgh June 3-8. Jo Robinson from the “65” will play with the Bulldogs “70” team at the National Games.
The Senior Games are special events for seniors 50 and older that combine a wide range of competitive activities. Athletes compete within their age category, and must qualify in the top four at the district level to reach the state Games. The gold and silver finalists at the State level advance to the Nationals.
District and state Games are played every year, while the Nationals are played every two years. This is a non-qualifying year for the National Games.
For more information on the Tennessee Senior Games, log on to www.tnseniorgames.com.