John Sheda

It’s Monday morning, and I’m writing this prior to the quarter final basketball game between Iowa and LSU. But regardless, this young lady of 22 from Des Moines can impact the whole country with her incredible basketball skills….but she has. Every arena, except two, she’s played in has as been sold out. Why? To watch Caitlin Clark play basketball. Now to be sure, the Iowa Hawkeye team is NOT all Clark because there are tremendously talented ladies as well. Attendance records in just about every college women’s basketball games have tremendously increased. She definitely has propelled women’s basketball in general and the great state of Iowa specifically.

“Is this heaven?” Costner was asked in Field of Dreams, some twenty years ago and he answered, “No, it’s Iowa.” These last couple of years, Caitlin has emphasized where heaven is. “Yes, Virginia, there is a heaven, and it’s located in Iowa.”

But, but, but, the game of girls basketball in Iowa started in small town gymnasiums all around the state as far back as anyone can remember. And it was entirely different than today’s basketball. It was six-on-six, three offensive & defensive players on each half court. It was an amazing game.

My brother, Larry, coached this unique game back in the 70’s & 80’s. The North Tama gym was always filled in those days cheering and rooting for the “Redhawks.” He had two daughters. Back in the day, the offensive girl was allowed to dribble twice. That’s it. Strange way to play basketball, but it worked. Boy, did it work.

Some readers may recall the name Denise Long, who played for Union-Whitten and in one game she scored 111 points. The year 1968, and the next year she was drafted by the then San Francisco Warriors men’s professional team.

A lady by the name of Norma Schoulte from Monona, also scored 111 points against Harper’s Ferry. Final score you ask? 132-12! Lyn Lorenzen from Ventura holds the National High School record of 6,736 points. Amazing.

But getting back to the prowess of Caitlin Clark and how this sort of, kind of gets all tied in together. Well, both head coach Lisa (Gesler) Bulder, late ’70’s Linn-Mar graduate and Associate Coach, Jan (Andersen) Jensen from Elk Horn-Kimballton High School in the ’80’s played in this six on six basketball. In fact, Jensen’s nickname was “Lottie” because she scored a “lotta” points. She still has the record of the highest scoring average in Iowa with a 66 points per game average. Which is why today, Caitlin Clark is such a powerful offensive scorer. She owes it all to the old way girls basketball was played “back in the day.” I never did find out what my brother’s career won/loss record is.

Maybe he’ll call me and let me know at 319.327.4640. Or text me at jsheda@indytel.com. Do your readers have any memories of this kind of basketball?