The women’s 70+ Silver Spirits basketball team represented North Carolina in the 2015 National Senior Games in St. Paul, Minn. July 7-11.

Thirteen teams were divided into three groups for team play. The Silver Spirits won all four games in their group, beating the New Mexico Canyon Nets 36-20, the Texas Lady Ball Hawgs 45-35, NOVA from Virginia 32-12 and the Chicago North Stars 42-14.

Bracket play in the double elimination started next.

In the first game, the Silver Spirits beat the Albuquerque Fox Trotters 34-24. Later that day, they beat the Arkansas Diamonds 30-28, for six straight wins.

The next day, the Silver Spirits lost to the Michigan Spirits 50-35, pitting them against the Ball Hawgs, which they had already beaten. The Spirits lost, 30-23.

The North Carolina state champion Silver Spirits were awarded the Bronze Medal for third place. The Ball Hawgs were second, the Michigan Spirits first.

“National Senior Games is like a reunion for this basketball team,” said member, Alice Barnette. National games are held every other year.

Team members Sue Allen, Rachel Howard, Charlotte Miller and Barnette have participated in 10 national tournaments while Vickie Frye, Kay Poole, Lois Green, Aileen Steelman and Mary Newton have played in six. Each has also played in the Huntsman World Games and won the world title.