All American Red Heads Team

The All American Red Heads was one of the first professional women’s basketball teams. Established in 1936, almost 50 years after women's basketball began, this "barnstormning team played until 1986. They played by men's rules and were a smash success with the audience. They were so successful as an exhibition team that they fostered another team, the Ozark Hillbillies and a third team, the Famous Red Heads.

Orwell Moore, a high school coach, coached two of the teams from 1948 and then purchased them. The teams boasted AAU All American players and stars like Peggy Lawson, Kay Kirkpatrick, Hazel Walker. Other stars included Willa “Red” Mason, Johnny Farley, Jolene Ammons and Cheryl Clark. Orwell Moore’s wife, Lorene “Butch” Moore was also a spectacular Red Heads player. Through the 1960s and 70s, three teams toured. During the off-season, players taught basketball to girls. Orwell also began Camp Courage, a basketball camp for girls. Charlotte Adams, Glenda Hall, Kay O’Bryan and Jolene Ammons became player coaches.

The All American Red Heads would have up to 3 teams on the road at the same time. Seasons would run from October to the end of April, beginning of May. This would consist of aprx 200 games and the teams would travel over 40,000 miles by car.

This is a very basic write-up on the All American Red Heads (per John Molina, honorary member of the All American Red Heads and co-author of upcoming book). To read more, please visit their site below

External links

* http://www.allamericanredheads.com/