PITTSBURGH — Winning isn’t everything, but it sure is fun, especially when you return to a sport you haven’t played in decades.

Five former Butler County girls basketball players — Jody Imbrie Smith, Heather Slear Starcher, Debby Buzanoski Wilson and Lisa Dorenkamp Povlick of Butler, and Patty Brain Cekella of Seneca Valley — comprised half of the Steel City UpAir 55-over women’s basketball team that won the gold medal at the National Senior Games in Pittsburgh a few days ago.

The basketball games were played in the David L. Lawrence Convention Center.

“It was fun being back in my hometown, ” said Smith, 61, a 1979 Butler graduate now living in Alpharetta, Ga. “The goal is always to win, but it was wonderful just playing with this great group of women.

“I was a scorer, but I don’t score points without other players setting great picks, making great passes ... We were a team on the court and that’s what made it so much fun.”

Smith was one of the best girls basketball players to come through Butler. Her 2,288 points scored for Grove City College remain a record there.

“Jody was two years ahead of me, so we were (high school) teammates only briefly,” Wilson said. “Getting a chance to play on the same team again, and with some women who were four or five years after us in high school, was special.

“This was an awesome experience for me. I’ve always been passionate about basketball. My husband and I coached (girls basketball) together at South Side Beaver for ten years. I thought my playing days were long behind me.”

There were 24 teams in the 55-over division. They were divided into three groups of eight. Teams that won their group received gold medals.

Steel City UpAir went 6-1 in its seven games over a two-day period. The squad defeated Pasadena (Calif.) 48-38 in the championship game. Other wins were 38-29 over Connecticut, 42-19 over Tulsa (Okla.), 45-36 over Chicago, 55-39 over Texas and 54-28 over Evanston (Ind.). Its lone loss was 40-33 to San Diego (Calif.).

“The whole experience was amazing,” Povlick said. “Being able to play in the nationals so close to home ... We had plenty of support and big crowds. I got to play with Debby Buzanoski after watching her play for Butler when I was a kid. Jody is seven years older than me and was my idol in basketball.

“It was a thrill getting on the court with her.”

This team competed at Senior Nationals in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., last year and took home a bronze medal. It competed in a seniors tournament in Maryland last year and won a silver medal.

This time it was all gold — Pittsburgh gold.

The gold medals had “Pittsburgh” written on it with a bridge running across it with a back-drop of the city.

“So, so cool,” Povlick said.

Starcher said players from many teams across the country already knew each other from previous tournaments. Players on out-of-town teams approached them for tips about where to go to eat and what to do around the city.

“It was like we were welcoming all of these teams into our home,” Starcher said. “We showed them where to go eat, went out to eat with them sometimes. Believe me, the games were very competitive. But everything was cordial and uplifting at the same timer. Everybody was cheering each other on.

“This was about forming relationships, making friends with people. We’re all just grateful to be playing the game.”

Smith and her husband — former Butler and Grove City College standout hoopster Mark Smith — have been coaching their kids in sports over the years.

“When Heather first asked me to play, I wasn’t sure how’d I do,” Smith admitted. “I hadn’t played in so long and I’ve had injuries. I went out and did some shooting, dribbling ... That’s not the same as playing.

“I told Mark that when I was out there making cuts, moving with the ball, I felt I was going pretty fast. Then I watched the video ... It looked like I was in slow motion.”

The Southwestern Pa. Senior Olympics — basketball and volleyball teams based out of the Butler Cubs Hall, where they practice each Saturday — has other teams and athletes competing in the National Senior Games, which continue this week. Steel City Quest has already won a gold medal in the 65-over women’s basketball division while Steel City Pursuit won a bronze in the 65-over division.

Other players on the Steel City UpAir team include 1985 Greensburg Central Catholic graduate Kathy Ridilla (formerly Duquesne University’s all-time leading scorer), 1989 Canon-McMillan graduate Betsy Mangiapane, 1978 Lakeview graduate Delta Zahniser, 1980 Norwin graduate Dr. Shelly Klinek and 1984 Allegany Central (NY) graduate Julie Simeone.

“This was awesome for me,” Wilson said. “I’ve always been so passionate about basketball. Being able to team up with and play against other women who share that passion ... I am so grateful for that.”