Wheelchair Basketball Team Goes To Nationals
The Spokane St. Luke’s Cyclones wheelchair basketball team has accomplished something it never had managed in more than two decades of competition.
“After 24 years,” said coach-player John Rees, “we’re going to the dance.”
The Cyclones, ranked ninth entering regional tournament competition, play Friday in the National Wheelchair Basketball Association championships.
They will meet the third-rated Charlotte Hornets. The winner will play the winner of the other semifinal matching the top-ranked Chicago Bulls and the sixth-ranked Virginia Beach Sunwheelers.
The trip to Nashville, Tenn., said Rees, is costing $5,000. The Spokane-based team is seeking donations to defray expenses. Rees can be reached at 928-3102 for donation information.
Victories in a locally hosted sectional tournament qualified the Cyclones for regional competition, where they upset the second-ranked L.A. Stars by six points and beat a team from Phoenix by 10.
“We played ‘em two years ago and they beat us by 20,” he said of the upset victory over L.A. “We stuck it to them this time.”
Rees has played with the team all 24 years it has been in operation. Longtime scoring leader Lew Tomlinson has been with the team for 22 years.
Over the years the Cyclones have added Frank Traver, Gene Garrison, high-scoring Paul Hill, Dave Mollers, Tim Hogan, Brent King and Orin Pierce.
“When Paul came in, things started to turn around for us,” said Rees.
The Cyclones, who leave Wednesday, have a best-ever 25-3 record.
, DataTimes