A unique twist on basketball brought laughter, community spirit, and fundraising to Monticello Sunday.
The Grant Wood Gothics faced off against a team of Jones County “celebrities” in a Granny Basketball game at Monticello High School, all in support of the Jones County Safe and Healthy Youth Coalition.
Players wore 1920s-style uniforms, complete with bloomers, long socks, and three-quarter length shirts, and followed 1920s-era rules, meaning no running or jumping on the court. A special “jail” added another layer of fun for anyone breaking the rules or showing too much skin, with audience members able to help bail out players for a donation.
Jennifer Husmann, Project Coordinator for the Jones County Safe and Healthy Youth Coalition, said the event is about more than just basketball.
“It’s raising money for the coalition. Our coalition works to reduce youth substance use and also promote mental wellness,” Husmann said.
For the players, it’s just as much about fun and camaraderie. Veteran Granny Basketball player Joyce Kitson said the game gives older women a chance to “regain our youth” while supporting the community.
“Granny Basketball started in 2005 as a way for us older ladies to kind of regain our youth, I guess you call it, and we play old-fashioned rules. This is my 11th year and we have a lot of fun,” Kitson said.
The community turnout included local leaders and familiar faces: the Monticello Police Chief, the school superintendent, Chamber of Commerce director, and other staff and family members joined the “celebrities” team.
Halftime entertainment featured the Midland “Shake It Off” Dance Company, along with a game of knockout basketball for audience participation and prizes.
Husmann said events like this are a fun way to bring people together while supporting a meaningful cause.
“This is such a fun way to bring the community together,” Husmann said.
The Granny Basketball teams also use the event to support their own activities, including travel to the national tournament. But for Monticello, the focus was on local impact, community fun, and raising funds for youth mental health and substance use prevention programs.
Admission was a free-will donation, with proceeds benefiting the coalition and its ongoing efforts in Jones County.