Missing the games that bring together family

When I was 14 years old, our family moved from rural Audubon County, Iowa, to a farm between Avoca and Walnut, Iowa. I was nervous and anxious about starting a new school.

When I was a freshman and almost 15 years old in September of 1954, Walnut's girls basketball coach, Harry Dean, asked me to try out for the team. I agreed with some hesitation, as I had not played basketball before. In one of our first games, I made a basket from quite far out, which really surprised me. This really helped my self-confidence.

In the 1950s, Iowa girls basketball played half court. Oklahoma also played this type of girls basketball at one time.

In my junior year, I continued on the varsity team, and we again had a good team. In fact, we went to the state tourney in Des Moines in March 1957 — the first time for Walnut. What excitement that was for us and for the people of Walnut. Sadly, we lost to (eventual state champion) Garrison in the first round.

I married in 1962 to my classmate at Walnut High School, Wayne Craney. Both our sons — Kent and Patrick — were involved in many sports throughout their childhoods. We have four wonderful grandchildren — Ryan, Courteney, Malcolm and Iris — who were all involved in sports. So sports is a topic of conversation when we are together.

We all miss the games now during this pandemic, that is for sure. We hope all sports return very soon.

Carmen Cordes Craney, Oklahoma City

Why do you love sports? Email us your response at NICsportsdesk@ oklahoman.com.