Granny Basketball Fundraiser

<p><strong>The Jones Co. “Celebrities” Vs. the Grant Wood Gothics</strong></p> <p>Can you imagine a basketball game where there is no running or jumping? Did you miss this event last year?  Come see it for yourself or come join us in the fun again!  The players on one team, the “Grannies”, include women in their 70s wearing outfits from the 1920s (bloomers and long socks).  The players on the other team will be Jones County “Celebrities” also not showing any leg skin, upper arm, or belly skin! The Grannies have added another fun new twist by having a jail for anyone “speeding” or getting a “skin” violation!</p> <p>That is what’s going to happen when a team of women ages 50 and older compete at 2 p.m. on Sunday, March 8, at the Monticello High School. The Celebrity players for the Coalition team include the Monticello Police Chief, Monticello School Superintendent, Anamosa Chamber Director, Jones County Naturalist, a Wyoming/Olin Pastor, Jones County Public Health Director, Riverview staff, youth and others. The audience may be able to help get the Police Chief or others out of jail for a couple of bucks!</p> <p>Doors will open at 1:30 p.m. with a concession stand lunch. The game will raise money for the Jones County Safe and Healthy Youth Coalition, working to reduce youth substance use and promote mental wellness in the county. Admission is a Free Will donation. The Coalition wants to make this a community event that everyone can attend! Half-time entertainment will include the Midland Youth Dancers (age 4 to 8) and a game of Knockout with audience participants. The Grannies may also be making a quilt or two to be raffled off during half time to raise money for the Coalition and/or the Grannies’ trip to the National Tournament.</p> <p>The Granny Basketball League follows rules created for women’s basketball in the 1920s. The rules not only include no running and no jumping but also allow only two dribbles before a pass. The game uses the full court but divides it into three sections. The six players on each team must stay in their own sections. Three pointers can only be made with a “Granny” shot underhanded!</p> <p>The Jones County Celebrities will be required to wear an oven mitt on their right hand. “The Grannies think they need to handicap us somehow because we are so young, but several of us are close to or over 50 as well!” said Jennifer Husmann, Project Coordinator for the Coalition. “Please come out and watch this fun event!”  The Granny Basketball League started in Iowa in 2005. There are currently more than 600 Granny Basketball players on 52 teams in 10 U.S. states and one Canadian province, according to the Granny Basketball website.</p>