Set your calendar reminder for Saturday, April 12th for some of the most fun you will ever have at a Basketball Tournament! It is being held at the K/W Elementary gym. The "Grannies" are back and have added at least 2 more players to the team that has been playing in Wanamingo since 2007. The Grannies had long been the team to play, according to Loretta Froyum, because they were the ones that were the easiest to beat, but that is no longer true. Last year was their winningest season yet, and this year's scrimmages have shown that that winning streak is continuing!
The ladies play a 6 on 6 players team, taken from the 1920's Iowa basketball team's rules and regulations, along with the 1920's dress code, which is quite unique. You will have to come to the tournament to see what conspires among these seasoned players, and how the rules are different from our contemporary games, and the uniforms they play in! To participate on the team, all that is required is you must be a woman of 50 plus years to be actually playing. Other younger ladies and gentlemen interested in being a part of the team are allowed in other positions, such as coaching and keeping score. No discrimination here! It is a gentler game than what you are used to.
Entry to the games on April 12th are free will donations that go to support the K/W girls basketball camp scholarships. Lunch consisting of Sloppy Joes, chips, bars and fruit cups will be served as well, for a small fee.
The tournament schedule is as follows:
9 am LaCrosse Does vs Faribault Hot Shots
10:15 am Veroqua Driftless Dribblers vs Wanamingo Bulldogs
Noon LaCrosse Does vs Wanamingo Bulldogs
1:15 Veroqua Driftless Dribblers vs Faribault Hot Shots
Due to the up in the air decisions being made about the use of the school gym, the team wishes to let you know they may be looking for a place to practice if the gym is out of the equation. The men's basketball team also practices there on Wednesday nights. Jack Beulke was at the last practice held in the gym, filming the Grannies as part of his documentary he is putting together on the history of the Wanamingo school gym, where the ladies have been practicing and playing for the past 18 years. So, we invite you to come on down and experience basketball as it used to be, and have some fun! Go Grannies!!!
