The memory of 6-on-6 basketball was alive and well Sunday during a special event in Everly.

Around 70 people packed the Hap Ketelsen Community Center to hear a special presentation about 6-on-6 basketball by Dr. Jennifer Sterling. The event marked the close of a special exhibit that was on display at the Everly Heritage Musuem, which was loaned to the facility by the Women's Archives located at the University of Iowa.

Former players came from as far away as Minnesota, South Dakota, Texas, Indiana and Nebraska for the event. Museum steering committee chair Connie Goeken was thrilled that Everly, which has a storied basketball history, could host the 6-on-6 celebration.

"We were very happy with the event overall, and hope to sponsor more things like this in the future," she said. "Many guests recounted state tournament highlights, funny stories about the gyms we played in, and all spoke of the total involvement and support of our community during those years."

Sterling, a lecturer in the Department of American Studies at the University of Iowa, spoke about the history of women's basketball in Iowa from 1915 to the present. Some of the high points during those years were rule changes, the switch from a three-court game to two courts and then to full court. She brought up many of the state record holders in the 6-on-6 game, four of whom were Everly Cattlefeeders, and three of whom were in attendance.

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Following the program, former teammates and friends had time to reconnect and catch up with one another.

Also discussed was the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union's ruling that allowed married high school females and those with children to continue playing. This came after a court case brought by Jane Rubel, of Ruthven. Sterling also detailed how the end of the 6-on-6 game came about as a result of the passage of Title IX, and several lawsuits brought by girls who felt they were being discriminated against for college scholarships because they were not playing the full court game in high school.

After her formal talk, Sterling invited guests to share stories of their 6-on-6 playing days. Several attendees also toured the museum, which opened last fall after two years of planning.