Top Wheelchair Basketball Players Compete In Lakeville
LAKEVILLE, Minn. (WCCO) - When you think of March Madness, you probably think of the NCAA Tournament. But some other athletes hit the court Saturday for their own basketball tournament.
Nine wheelchair basketball teams from across the Midwest are in Lakeville to compete in the Junior Northern Conference Tournament.
The athletes have a variety of disabilities, yet are able to aggressively move up and down the court in their chairs and still shoot the ball without tiring.
Rose Hollermann was the youngest member of the U.S. Paralympics team that competed in London. She plays on the Junior Rolling Timberwolves, part of the Courage Center's youth basketball program. Hollermann says the competition this weekend is tough.
"It is really competitive. We get out there and start banging around and hitting each other and fouls are called," Hollermann said. "People are getting knocked over."
The Rolling Timberwolves are ranked second in the nation. This weekend's tournament is a qualifier for the national tournament in April.
The games continue Sunday at Century Middle School at 8 a.m.
