Wheelchair Hoops Tourney at Manhattan College This Weekend
Jackson-Heights, NY–Thirteen (13) wheelchair basketball teams, including eight New York metropolitan area teams and one team all the way from the country of Ghana, will compete from Friday evening, October 5th through Sunday evening, October 7th at the 2007 Mayor’s Trophy Tournament, held at Manhattan College’s Draddy Gymnasium and Horace Mann High School in the Riverdale section of the Bronx. This tournament is staged annually by the New York City Sports Commission.
Games will be played at the Draddy Gymnasium Friday evening from 5:30 PM to 9:00 PM, and throughout the day and evening on Saturday. There will also be Saturday morning games contested at Horace Mann High School. Sunday’s championship round games and awards ceremony will be at the Draddy Gymnasium.
Wheelchair basketball games will be contested in Division II and III, as determined by the National Wheelchair Basketball Association’s rules. The Jackson Heights-based United Spinal Association has three teams entered—one each in Divisions II and III that are sponsored by the New Jersey Nets NBA franchise—and the Division III United Spinal Association Cobras.
Wheelchair basketball is played on a standard basketball court but players may only push their wheelchair twice before dribbling or passing the ball. The height of the basket is the same as in college or professional basketball. Wheelchairs specially designed for speed and maneuverability are used in this highly-competitive sport.