MORE ABOUT WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

In 1892, a year after basketball was invented, women began playing basketball at Smith College, in Northampton, Massachusetts. Senda Berenson, a physical eduation teacher at the college, used the sport as a way to keep her students physically fit and active during the winter. Here are some other facts about the history of women’s basketball:

•  Early basketball hoops were actually peach baskets with the bottoms cut out.

•  Basketball was originally played with a soccer ball.

•  In the beginning, the court was divided into three sections, and each player was required to stay in their section.

•  There were 6 to 9 players on a team, with 11 officials in early basketball games.

•  The first intercollegiate game took place between Stanford and Berkeley in April 1896. Stanford won, 2-1.

•  Men weren’t allowed to watch women’s basketball games in the beginning. Women were often assigned to guard doors and windows to keep men out.

•  In 1936, a team of women called “The Red Heads” toured the United States, playing against men’s teams, using men’s rules. All members of the team were required to dye their hair red or wear a wig.

•  Women had to play in skirts at first. This changed in 1896 when bloomers, a type of old-fashioned shorts, were introduced.

•  Some of the most famous female basketball players are Babe Didrikson, Lisa Leslie, Rebecca Lobo, Candace Parker, and Sheryl Swoopes.