Members of the Steel City UpAir women’s basketball team, based out of the Butler Cubs Hall, that recently won the 55-over gold medal at the National Senior Games in Pittsburgh include, from left, Heather Starcher, Betsy Mangiapane, Patty Cekella, Kathy Ridilla, Jody Smith, Julie Simeone, Debby Wilson, Lisa Povlick, Delta Zahniser and Shelly Klinek. Submitted Photo

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.