Glory Blethen, a former standout on the Boothbay Region High School girls basketball team and a key player for the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, is now making waves with the U.S. Navy’s All‑Armed Forces squad. Her recent participation in the All‑Armed Forces basketball tournament in California highlighted her continued rise in military sports.
A Tournament That Decided International Representation
The All‑Armed Forces tournament, held May 11‑17 at Paige Field House on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, brought together elite teams from the Marine Corps, Air Force, Space Force and Army. Competing against these services, Blethen and her Navy teammates faced a rigorous schedule that tested both skill and cohesion.
During the competition, Blethen found a familiar ally in former Coast Guard Academy teammate Kira Wood, who also earned a spot on the Navy roster. The two shared the court as the tournament determined the All‑Armed Forces teams that would represent the United States at the Conseil International du Sport Militaire (CISM) Basketball Championship in France. Blethen took the opportunity to thank the support networks of Northland and Tahoma, whose encouragement helped bring the achievement to fruition.
Ultimately, twelve female athletes, including Blethen, were selected to wear the Team USA jersey in France. The upcoming CISM Championship promises to showcase the best of military basketball on an international stage, and Blethen’s inclusion underscores the growing visibility of women’s service‑team sports.
As the athletes prepare for the trip abroad, the story reflects a broader narrative of dedication, teamwork, and the pathways that military competition creates for talented players like Blethen.