Men's Basketball

Delaware Senior Olympics Men's Basketball was held at the PAL Gym, in Hockessin, DE October 24^th, 2009.

2009 Results

Delaware Diamonds rebound from injuries, capture Bronze Medal at the 2009 National Senior Games

The Delaware Diamonds, Bronze Medalist, 2009 National Senior Games 3on3 Basketball, 60-64 age bracket: Kent St. Pierre, Hugh Campbell, Roger Raspen, Ted Brown, Bob Hefflefinger

A key player undergoes heart surgery, a valuable sub suffers a severe hamstring injury, and a starter leaves the team. With just two months remaining before the 2009 National Senior Games in Palo Alto, California, the Delaware Diamonds had lost half of its 3on3 basketball team. Player-coach Bob Hefflefinger of Hockessin, had been readying his Diamonds since their unexpected exit at the 2007 National Senior Games in Louisville, Kentucky. In the past 22 months his team had posted first-place finishes in senior leagues, and in senior state and regional tournaments.

While the Diamonds were losing players to injuries, so were the Blue Bombers, coached by Wilmington’s Charlie Ganter. Injuries forced Ganter to withdraw his Blue Bombers from the approaching National Senior Games. However, two of the uninjured Blue Bombers players were a good fit for Hefflefinger’s depleted Diamonds squad. After practicing together once or twice a week for six weeks, the five Delaware Diamonds, Hugh Campbell, Ted Brown, Hefflefinger, and former Blue Bombers Roger Raspen and Kent St. Pierre, headed to Palo Alto.

Nearly 10,000 athletes 50 years of age and older participated in the 2009 National Senior Games held on the campus of Stanford University from August 1 through August 15. Over 140 men’s basketball teams competed for 3on3 national championships in 5-year age brackets from 50 to 80 years. Most teams featuring former college stars, some of whom had played professionally in Europe.

During the five-day tournament, the Delaware Diamonds record in the 27-team, 60-64 age bracket was 6-3, with victories over South Carolina’s Sumter Old Dogs, Ohio’s No Limit, New York’s Rochester Royals, and the current national champion, the ‘Bama Boys. Two teams that the Diamonds defeated but then lost to in double elimination were the Gold Medalist, California Gold, and the Silver Medalist, Nevada’s Fresno Sharpshooters. The Diamonds’ Bronze Medal was the first medal won by a Delaware basketball team since the 2001 National Senior Games.

Delaware’s other representative in basketball at the 2009 National Senior Games was Gino’s 50. The team finished in ninth place in the 24-team, 50-54 age bracket. Gino’s 4-3 record included a 1-point, double-overtime loss in their final game. Gino’s 50 is coached by Wilmington’s Gino Mirolli and Tony Figliola. Team members are Gerry Glavey, John Malik, Gary Schils, Rod Moyer, Joe Maguire, James Zymanski, Raul Mercado, and Jim Dorsey.

Complete results and scores from the 2009 National Senior Games can be found at: www.nsga.com.

Coordinator Information:

DSO Volunteer Sports Coordinators organize and set up event competitions, and are knowledgeable in their specific sports.

Get your coordinator's contact information here.

Training Opportunities:

New Castle County

DSO Senior 3 on 3 basketball league will commence on Thursday, Oct 25 at Springer Junior High School on Shipely Rd, Wilmigton, DE.

Games will be played on successive Thursday nights through the end of April. Teams will be formed on Oct 25 and Nov 11. Two divisions: 55+ and 48-54.

Contact Gene Mirolli at 302-229-7633 for info.

DSO Basketball teams up with Sony Hill to grow senior hoops

Philadelphia’s own Mr. Basketball, Sonny Hill, and DSO Men’s Basketball coordinator, Charlie Ganter, are introducing the Senior game to the thousands of Delaware Valley residents attending the Hero Thrill Show at the Wachovia Center. The Show benefits the families of Philadelphia Police and Firefighters who have lost their lives in the line of duty.

During Mr. Hill’s 3-on-3 tournament, a fixture at the annual fund raiser, Charlie has three Delaware senior teams, Gino’s 50, Dorsey Insurance, and his Blue Bombers, playing exhibition games that include Philly’s Tenth Street Legends team.

Mr. Hill is the founder of the prestigious Sonny Hill Instructional League. a player consultant to the Philadelphia 76ers., and he hosts his own weekly program on WIP Sports radio.

For information on:

• participating in over-50 pick-up basketball games
• playing in a fall-winter 3on3 league
• or volunteering to help at tournaments

Contact Charlie Ganter at charlie.ganter@gmail.com, or at 302-427-0930. 302-731-1314.