Basketball Mom Doubles Prize to $100,000 with Twin Pick 5 Tickets

Verna Reed of Severn is rolling in the dough after getting Pick 5 number inspiration from a vehicle license plate.

Anne Arundel County resident scores in Oct. 20 drawing

Verna Reed of Severn just doubled her fun after buying two identical Pick 5 tickets for the Oct. 20 evening drawing. She won $100,000!

The basketball mom followed a trend set by other Lottery Pick 5 players in using a license plate number for Pick 5 wagers.

“I saw this license plate a few weeks ago and I really liked that number. I have been playing it for the last three weeks,” she said. That lucky number was 49101.

The Anne Arundel County resident is a senior director of a nonprofit group. Verna added that most of her children are grown, but she has a 15-year-old son who plays on an Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) basketball team. She called herself a “basketball mom” because she is busy attending her son’s games.

“I love to watch my son play basketball,” Verna said.

The 51-year-old hasn’t decided yet how she will spend the $100,000 prize won on identical $1 straight bets. She said some of the winnings will probably go to pay off bills.

Meanwhile, Nirvana Smoke & Mart at 7925 Crain Highway in Glen Burnie also got to join the fun. This Anne Arundel County Lottery retailer sold the two winning tickets and will receive two $500 bonuses from the Lottery for its role in Verna’s big win.