9th Annual Granny Basketball Tournament (Blog)

Experience firsthand the magic, the thrill, the competition, the suspense
and more at this year’s 9th annual Granny Basketball Tournament, which will be
held June 15-16 at Valley Southwoods School, 625 South 35^th Street,
West Des Moines, IA as part of the Iowa Senior Olympics. Games begin at 8:30
a.m. Saturday, June 15.

                Seventeen teams from around the state will compete for the coveted prize by playing an antique version of the famous half-court game which was popular in Iowa from 1935 to
1995. This older 1920s version features period costumes consisting of bloomers,
middy blouses and stockings. Games are played in three courts instead of two.
Teams consist of two guards, two forwards and two centers. No jumping, touching
or running are allowed (although “hurrying” is ok). There are no timelines or
lane restrictions and each player is allowed just three fouls.

Granny Basketball founder Barb McPherson of Lansing, Iowa, says the game appeals to the over-50 crowd because as well as social
interaction, competition and camaraderie, the game promotes fun exercise and is
gentler than the three-on-three game. The League’s oldest player is 87.

To get to Valley Southwoods School, located in West Des
Moines, IA take Interstate-35 to the Mills Civic Parkway exit (Exit 70). Go
east on Mills Civic Parkway to Fuller Road and turn right. Valley Southwoods is
on the northwest corner of Fuller Road and South 35^th Street.

The tournament is part of the Iowa Senior Olympics,
which will be held at various venues in the Des Moines area during the month of
June. Other events include track and field, golf, bowling, tennis, swimming,
badminton, racquetball and Scrabble®.

For more information about Granny Basketball, please
visit www.grannybasketball.com.
For more information about the Iowa Senior Olympics, including registration
which is now open, please visit www.iowaseniorolympics.com
or call 515-633-5011.