ZELIENOPLE - Sometimes dreams too fantastic to dream become realities.

For Sister Jane Amiotte, a deaconess at Glade Run Lutheran Services, playing competitive basketball was one such dream.

Amiotte is a member of the Butler Cubs senior women's basketball team in the 60-64 age division. They'll be playing in June at the 2005 Senior Olympics in Pittsburgh.

Other team members are Carol McCollough of Chicora, Bobbie Siccitano of Jefferson, Green County; Kathy Blair of Sarver; Karen Adams of Bethlehem; and Mary Jo Garmey of Pittsburgh. They are coached by McCollough's husband, Don.

"We're a lot of crazy old ladies who didn't have the opportunity to play," said Carol McCollough.

Not only is the 60-to-64 team heading for a chance to compete against teams from all over the United States, the other four Butler Cubs senior squads - 50-54, 55-59, 65-69 and, 70-75 - have made it to the nationals as well.

"We're the only group in Pennsylvania playing like this," said Amiotte of the Cubs' teams, which all placed either first or second in the Senior Olympic qualifying rounds in Shippensburg last season.

Amiotte and her teammates played in the championship game at the 2003 nationals in Virginia Beach, Va., as the 55-to-59 team - losing to Louisiana and ending up with the silver medal. The players have changed age categories since that victory.

The national and state competitions are held on alternate years.

Growing up in Fergus Falls and Wheaton, Minnesota, Amiotte said "it was against the law" for girls to play basketball competitively.

"Even in college, at the University of Minnesota, all the girls could do was figure skate," she said.

The only place Amiotte could play basketball was in physical education class in both high school and college. And that was under the old half-court girls' rules with two dribbles, three forwards and three guards who never crossed the center line or shot a basket.

Because outdoor basketball courts are rare in a place where winter is a three-season event, Amiotte said she didn't play pick-up games at the playgrounds.

After college, marriage and children and the seminary - where she became a Lutheran deaconess - took up the middle of Amiotte's life.

A Lutheran deaconess is much the same as a Catholic nun, except for the married with children part. She spent the better part of 35 years working in Canada's far north.

Amiotte has been a housemother at Glade Run Lutheran Services for the past seven years, caring for six boys between the ages of 13 and 18.

"Sometimes I play basketball with the boys, but they're awfully good," she said. "When the boys and girls (who live at Glade Run's residential facilities) are playing together, that's when I'll play."

"I'm so lucky to live here with a basketball court I can use anytime," said Amiotte, who lives within easy walking distance of the gym on campus.

Her early basketball experience was limited to being a guard, so learning to shoot was all new when she returned to playing three years ago.

"I'm learning stuff now I've never done before," said Amiotte.

"(Learning to play better) is very easy for her because she's very receptive," said Don McCollough. "She does what we tell her to improve herself.

"When playing defense, she's learned to move her feet for zone defense, and learning how to use the banking board for her shots was a big help."

"I am improving and I work to get better so I don't get flustered while dribbling and shooting," said Amiotte. "I'm in better shape than when I came here and this makes getting old feel fun.

"When I came here, I didn't know anyone."

Amiotte said she was looking for ways to meet people. Coming across an invitation to play in the Butler County Area Agency on Aging's monthly newsletter, she decided to take a shot.

"We welcome any new faces," said Carol McCollough. "No experience is necessary. This is for fun and to learn. Those who want to get serious with the competition part can travel with the team."

The teams practice at Cubs Hall in Butler at 4 p.m. on Tuesdays and 10 a.m. on Saturdays.

Fund-raising events like the Senior Olympics golf tournament at Lake Arthur Country Club have helped the teams purchase warm-up suits, so they should look good when they take to the floor at Petersen Events Center on the University of Pittsburgh campus, June 7 through 10 for the Senior Olympics.

The 60-64 team is sponsored by 84 Lumber, and the company has brought the ladies their uniforms.

"We're always looking for more sponsors," said Carol McCollough.

This year, the fourth annual Senior Olympic scramble golf tournament at Lake Arthur County Club will take place on June 30. To reserve a spot, call 724-445-3242.