By Jennifer M. Rodriguez and Tom Scott
 Jr. Net Dylan Levine was named MVP. |
United Spinal Jr. Nets Win Championship
For the second consecutive year, the United Spinal Junior Nets wheelchair basketball team is National Wheelchair Basketball Association (NWBA) Prep League National
Champions and 13-year-old Dylan Levine from Paramus, New Jersey, won the Most Valuable Player Award. The team defended their title at this year’s National Jr. Prep Championships at the RiverPlex Recreation and Wellness Center in Peoria, Illinois. The team, comprised of youths ages 14 and under, is co-sponsored by United Spinal Association and the New Jersey Nets. The tournament ran from Friday, March 10 to Sunday, March 12.
“It was a great team win and I am so proud of all the players, coaches and family,” said Re Marks, Head Coach of the United Spinal Jr. Nets, who went undefeated at the Nationals and won the championship 38-34 against the Sterling Heights Challengers from Michigan. “The players worked really hard as a team and the coaches were able to steer the players and the family members toward a winning direction. We are so proud of Dylan for winning the MVP. He is a great leader for the team. And Bryson McLeod was voted to the first tournament team.”
Marks added, “the team has so many people to thank for their am so proud great team “It was a support, especially the United Spinal Association and John Hamre [associate executive director of development]. Without their help in getting this team started, we would not have had this opportunity.” Marks also thanked other supporters which include the Christopher Reeve Foundation and Luigi Bruno, father of Joseph Bruno, a player on the team, who helped the team raise $10,000.win, and I In the 2005 season, the team went undefeated, 16-0, clinching the championship title in Birmingham, Alabama against the Milwaukee Wheelin’ Wizards, 38-23. In addition to the Junior Prep Championships, the team also of all the competed at the 2006 Junior Division JV National Championships at the University of Nebraska in Omaha, Nebraska on March 17 to 19, players.” where they finished in second place behind the St. Louis Rolling Rams. The MVP trophy was awarded to Dylan Levine was his second in two weeks. The tournament featured the top 16 wheelchair basketball teams from around the country. Last year, the Junior Nets finished in third place at the JV Nationals with a 2-point win against the Seattle Junior Sonics. The first place trophy went to the Mad City squad from Madison, Wisconsin.
Wheelchair Basketball Demo at Final Four’s Hoop City
United Spinal Association members recently suited up for two of the top five wheelchair basketball teams in the country and demonstrated the popular adaptive sport at the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s Final Four “Hoop City” event at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis on Sunday, April 2.
The Edinboro University Fighting Scouts and the University of Illinois Fighting Illini wheelchair basketball teams demonstrated the sport during the Hoop City event, the ultimate NCAA college hoops experience where fans of all ages and abilities participated, and played until the final buzzer. There were competitions, basketball clinics, prizes, autograph sessions with NCAA coaches and great players of the past, and surprise appearances.
Recreation Coordinator Patrick Donaghey (left) and NRA Disability Shooting Service Director Dave Baskin (center) witnessed the fine shooting of Larry Grainger, who took first place in the freehand division. The Edinboro team plays all over the country and at the end of the 2004/2005 season they finished third in the nation with 25 wins, the most wins in school history for any basketball team. Currently, Edinboro is the only team in Pennsylvania participating in the Intercollegiate Division.
The University of Illinois adaptive sports programs help their athletes compete against the best in the country and, at the same time, offer them a quality education in a variety of majors. Illinois’ program has also been instrumental in helping other national universities establish Adapted Athletic programs of their own.
For more information about the NCAA Hoop City, please visit www.hoop-city.com.
Air Rifle Championships
There were many outstanding performances at the United Spinal Association-NRA Air Rifle Championship, which took place at the Castle Point VA Medical Center on Thursday, March 23, 2006. One of the most impressive displays of marksmanship came from Al Guarneri, United Spinal Sports and Recreation aide. Guarneri received a perfect score of 50 and won Employee Division, hitting an amazing five bull’s-eyes in a row.
The event was sponsored by the Association, the National Rifle Association, and the Castle Point VA Therapeutic Recreation Department.
Tom Scott is editor. Jennifer M. Rodriguez is Public Affairs officer.
