The first of two weeks of the National Wheelchair Basketball Association championship tournament action has come and gone after 48 of the top Junior teams converged on West Monroe and the West Monroe Sports & Events Center.

A long season of hard work paid off for many teams who not only laid it all on the court for three days, but off the court got to experience true Louisiana hospitality, charm, and pounds of delicious local cuisine.

The action on the court was intense with more than 20 states represented. After three brackets of simultaneous action, The Dallas Jr. Mavericks (Varsity), the ATX (Prep) and Adaptive Sports Ohio (Varsity Invitational) went undefeated through 16- team brackets to hoist the trophy in the end.

The Mavericks, a nearby regional team approximately 4 hours from West Monroe, defeated the Kansas City Kings 57-33 in front of a packed court on Sunday. The fans were plentiful and full of energy from beginning to end. It was a great way for Dallas to cap off its fun week in Ouachita Parish.

“This is a team we had been looking forward to for a long time, a special team and special kids here,” Dallas coach Mike White said. “We had a great time in West Monroe. Everyone was very hospitable, and the venue is great. Just a great city to add to the list (of host cities).”

White highlighted why the NWBA and adaptive sports are important and deserves more publicity going forward following the win.

“The NWBA is a gateway to other sports,” White said. “It is the first time kids with disabilities find confidence in themselves. It is the first time they realize that they are not confined to their wheelchair, it is a mobility device. It’s huge for building self-esteem and making relationships with people all across the country.”

Varsity tournament MVP Owen Horsley enjoyed his stay in West Monroe and being able to capture the championship with his senior teammates for the first time after years of chasing the crystal ball trophy.

“It was awesome, I have played basketball for 12 years and this was my biggest accomplishment, so very happy,” Horsley said. “The venue was great. All the courts are very nice here.”

The finals of the Prep Division (8-13 years old) saw ATX of Austin, Texas defeat BlazeSports Hawks in a nail biter, 20-18.

ATX guard Michael Foka was named the MVP of the Prep tournament.

In the varsity invitational finals, Adaptive Sports Ohio defeated SAAS Jr. Wildcats 43-38 with Ta’Shaun Myers of Ohio taking home the MVP honors on Sunday.

Many teams and fans got to take in the sights of local museums and the Louisiana Purchase Gardens & Zoo on the visit as well as delicious meals.

Now it’s the adult divisions (three of them) coming in this week for their shot at the trophy. And the area gets another chance to show off that trademark southern charm.

Author

Cody Futrell

Cody Futrell is a local media personality, Podcaster, and substitute teacher who has been involved with wheelchair sports for most of his life. Born in Monroe, Louisiana, Futrell is a former sports editor at The Ouachita Citizen and sports writer for The News-Star. His sports reporter work continues with his own projects including “NELA Preps Plus” currently on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, and everywhere you find podcasts. Before graduating West Monroe High School (2004) and the University of Louisiana at Monroe (2009), Futrell was a state and national record holder in shot put and discus as part of the state’s G.U.M.B.O. Games and competed in an international Wheelchair Sports Association Junior World Games for Team USA, taking silver in the shot put, in 2007. Futrell will now spearhead a local wheelchair basketball program here in West Monroe that hopes to continue to build off of the excitement and support of the NWBA National Championships coming to the area. Futrell lives in West Monroe with his wife of 16 years, Brandy and their fur babies Daisy, Delta Dawn (D.D.) and Lily.