April 29, 2024

Iowa - the frontier for women’s basketball

By Debra Torres
The Arispe girls basketball team from the late 1930s. Bottom row, far right is Maxine (Fesler) Mohr. Three of her daughters went on to play basketball at East Union.

The Arispe girls basketball team from the late 1930s. Bottom row, far right is Maxine (Fesler) Mohr. Three of her daughters went on to play basketball at East Union. (Contributed by DEBRA TORRES)

The recent talent of Caitlin Clark, Audi Crooks, Emily Ryan and other phenomenal women basketball players has brought to light the history of this sport, including its roots in Iowa. As a native Iowan, it is nice to see our great state get some recognition for being at the forefront of this now wildly popular sport.

It is especially gratifying to me, as I come from a women’s basketball family. My mother played six-on-six high school basketball in Arispe in the late 1930s and my three sisters in the late 1950s and early 1960s. Just like the Joens girls from Iowa State and Oklahoma played for the same team at one point, my three sisters played together on the same team in 1959-1960, which was something quite unique. My sisters were featured in a story in the local newspaper.

Three sisters - Betty Jo, Ellen and Barbara Mohr, were featured in the local paper as they all played basketball at East Union in the late 1950s and early 1960s.

Three sisters - Betty Jo, Ellen and Barbara Mohr, were featured in the local paper as they all played basketball at East Union in the late 1950s and early 1960s. (Contributed by DEBRA TORRES)

Growing up in southern Iowa, my sisters played for East Union. It was an amazing experience for them to share the excitement of playing together, as well as, for my entire family watching them. It was especially challenging for my parents since win or lose, their girls were a big part of the outcome. Talk about highs and lows. Can you imagine a house full of girls after a loss? Or the crazy joy and energy of a house full of girls after a win.

I am several years younger than my sisters, and grew up going to every game with my parents. As you would expect, I aspired to play the game myself when old enough. However, as sometimes happens, things changed and my family moved to Creston, which at that time did not have women’s basketball. While I never had the chance to experience playing the game, it did not change my love for the sport.

My younger sister, Julie, did not play basketball, but attends all the Iowa State University women’s basketball home games. It’s just in our DNA. All these years later, our love for the game has not faded. Even now, when we see a basketball and hoop, we will find ourselves shooting baskets. Our moves are slower, but that doesn’t matter. It’s just about the joy of the game.

I believe we will dribble and shoot until we drop. I am so proud of my mother and older sisters in the small part they played in making this sport grow into what it is today. While my parents and one sister have passed away, we remaining sisters who now live in different states (Iowa, Ohio and Oklahoma), still watch every game on TV and text during the games with comments and, of course, coaching recommendations.

Congratulations to all the current Iowa players who have taken this sport to an atmospheric level. We are so proud of you, and you can be sure the Mohr sisters will be watching.