01 Feb 2024 Diamonds are a girl’s best team
Many adults continue playing competitive sports as they age. Senior Olympic Basketball is an international organization, with teams from all 50 states and almost every country. Central Arkansas is home to men’s and women’s basketball teams that are some of the best in the nation.
At the Senior Olympic games, men and women 50 years old and older compete in several sports, from power walking to pickleball to half-court basketball. Curtis Stevens coaches two women’s basketball teams: the 55- to 59-year-olds and the 60- to 64-year-olds. He loves seeing his players improve and achieve goals.
“I have the pleasure of coaching a group of women who play basketball. Nothing out of the ordinary, except my youngest participant is 53 and my oldest is 63,” Stevens said. “We competed this past year in the nationals in Pittsburgh and came home with seventh in the nation in the 50-54 age group.”
Stevens invites women who will be 49 this year and are interested in the league to call him. Currently, he is seeking 50- to 54-year-old players to help round out a third team. “We are looking for more like-minded ladies who want to be part of the family,” Stevens said. “We are a team second, and a family first. We would love for you to come and practice with us. Try it on. My contact number is 501.304.6822.”
The first Arkansas state qualifying tournament will be on June 1 at the Benton River Center.
The 50-54 Blue Diamonds Team
Jess Barksdale (from left), Robin Hill, Pamela Alford, Coach Jim Barksdale, Melanie Conway, Thina Griffin-Stokes and Lori Wood.
The 50+ Team
Sherry Barker (from left), Tammy Green, Karen Redden Glenn, Jill Sanders, Myka Bono Sample, Rebecca Sorrells Danner, Coach Curtis Stevens, Mary Beth Kelloms, Thresa Turner Hunter and Mary Stevens.
The 60+ Arkansas Diamonds Team
This group has been together for three years. Their first national tournament was in 2022 in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., where they placed 14th. Last year at the nationals in Pittsburgh, they placed 10th.
Coach Fred Harris (from left), Karen Geater, Tina Benton, Belinda Boshears, Carol Childs, Terri White, Kim Stewart and Tami Tacket.
The 75+ Arkansas Diamonds Team
The 75+ Team of 2022 won gold medals at the national championship in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., in May 2022.
Coach Billy Graves (from left), Linda Lynch, Carolyn Trowbridge, Jodie Moon, LaVerne Graves, Sharon Thornton, Ellen Varhalla, Sharon Manus and scorekeeper Leroy Varhalla. Not pictured: Ellen Tallach.
The 2023 team won a silver medal at the championship game in July 2023 in Pittsburgh. They played seven games in five days to work their way to the championship round.
Back row: Laura Young (from left), Jodie Moon, Sharon Thornton, LaVerne Graves, Ellen Varhalla, Carolyn Trowbridge and Coach Billy Graves; front row: Sharon Manus (from left), Ellen Tallach and Linda Lynch.
