Basketball - the love of the game, no matter the age - By Stephanie Coffin

Six teams from Maine Senior Women’s Basketball traveled to Minneapolis in July to compete in the 2015 National Senior Games. Three of the teams took home medals; one of those teams being the Maine Triple Threat team, which took home the silver medal in the 55-59 age Division 1 tournament. The team consisted of coach Maureen Sylvia (Westbrook), Kathy Sanborn (New Hampshire), Adrienne Turner (Hollis), Cyndi Bona (Scarborough), Mary Whited (Falmouth) and Lana Merchant (Windham). 

Triple Threat set the bar for MSWBB teams – winning gold medals in their first national tournament (back in 2009). Along with Maine Triple Threat’s silver medal, Maine Endo also won the silver medal in the 50-54 age groups in the Division 2 tournament and the Maine Pioneers squad won bronze in the 65-69 Division 2 tournaments. 

Maine Triple Threat has been playing together since 2008 and the current age range is 55-59. The team’s talent runs deep and is evident in their well-executed plays and fierce determination which pay off in consistent wins. The group practices two times a week with competitions that happen throughout the year. 

Games are played on a 3x3 basketball half courts with one basket. The game starts with three players from each team on the court. There are two 15 minute halves, where there is running time until the last two minutes of each half. If the game is tied at end of regulation playing time then overtimes are played until one is ahead when the buzzer sounds. 

Maine Senior Women’s Basketball is a group of passionate athletes, age 45 to 75 representing the State of Maine in regional and national tournaments. MSWBB currently consists of six teams in four age brackets. Five teams have brought home medals from National Senior Games, making Maine one of the foremost states for senior women’s basketball. This dedicated group practices year-round in Portland-area gyms, working on individual skill building, teamwork drills, aerobic conditioning and scrimmages. 

If anyone is interested in joining a team or would like to inquire more about these teams feel free to stop in and attend a following practice: Team Pioneers (age 65+) practice Tuesdays from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Memorial Middle School in South Portland. All other practices are Wednesday from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Memorial Middle School and Saturdays from 7:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. at Sullivan Gymnasium at the University of Southern Maine, Portland. You may also reach out to Deb Smith at N2Ldeb@yahoo.com and check out their Facebook page.