Fifty Something Basketball Players Set For Senior Olympics

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – A group of basketball players from our area is proving that age is just a number.

Each week, five men meet for basketball practice at Tupelo area churches.  The “Tupelo Cyrptoballers” is a team made up of men 50 and above.

This weekend, they will compete at the Mississippi Senior Olympic Games in Biloxi.  They will take part in three on three basketball games.

Team members have known one another for more than 20 years.

“We’re all from different Christian denominations, played in church league, we’re all brothers in Christ, and have a great time together, that’s what it’s all about,” said David Haadsma.

“As long as you stay active and keep your muscles working, you can continue to do a lot of things, you’re going to pull a muscle, strain some, but you can rehab those fairly quickly and get back to it, obviously you can’t go as hard as you used to, but you can still go a long time,” said Brett Hildenbrand.

The basketball contests take place Saturday.  If the “Cryptoballers” do well, they advance to nationals next year in Albuquerque.