Against All Odds Recovered From Broken Neck And Arm Suffered In Auto Accident, Travis Monahan Helps Team To Hoopfest Title

Last summer, Travis Monahan wasn’t sure he would ever play sports again, let alone compete in another Hoopfest.

But the 10-year-old was pounding the pavement in his second Hoopfest on June 24-25.

And when Monahan and his Bad Boys teammates - Glen Reser, Jake Anderson and Todd Loncosty - played five games in one day on June 25 to win their division in the world’s largest 3-on-3 basketball tournament, it was a time to celebrate for the Monahan family. All the players on the team will be fifth-graders at Farwell Elementary this fall.

On July 9, 1999, Monahan was in a car accident and broke his neck and an arm. His mother, Bridget, the Mt. Spokane High School volleyball coach, also broke her neck when she drove her car off the road on U.S. Highway 395 near Connell, Wash. She thinks she fell asleep.

Travis Monahan underwent surgery a week later and had his neck fused with a plate and four screws. He wore a brace for a couple of months.

“He had to lay low for a while,” his mother said.

There was no riding his bike. No P.E., no recess. It was December before he could participate again.

He just told himself to be patient.

“I helped the teacher referee and during recess a teacher gave me a hacky sack or mini football, and we would toss the football and stuff like that,” he said.

His mom said it was a little nerve-wracking at first to see her son playing again at this year’s Hoopfest, but “he jumped back in and did a great job.”

Hoopfest was Monahan’s first athletic endeavor since he played spring soccer in April.

The Bad Boys were pushed to the limit during their title run. They won three straight games Saturday, then lost and had to win another game to reach the championship. They had to play the team that beat them - AP’s Boys of Spokane - and had to beat that team twice.

Monahan said he thought his neck might bother him during Hoopfest, but he was fine.

Last year, Monahan’s team placed second in its division and three of four players were back for the 2000 tournament.

“Basically, we just did the same stuff but we were in an easier bracket,” he said of this year’s improvement. “Pretty much the fact we got to play in Hoopfest and play a lot of games was fun.”

The team was coached by Monahan’s father, Terry. Terry’s team also won a Hoopfest title, as did 8-year-old Casey Monahan.

“We were 3 for 3 so it was a great day,” Bridget Monahan said. “Just to see Travis playing was pretty overwhelming and rewarding. The victory was just the sweet icing on top of it and to see that smile. He dealt with the injury like an absolute trooper, so to see him get the reward of healing and getting to play again was pretty nice.

“The fact he’s walking around again is a miracle, let alone that he can play basketball.”