Team USA's 'Hawks have no regrets

Although the American men's wheelchair basketball team fell short of a gold medal in the Paralympics, UW-Whitewater beamed with pride as the team boasted eight current or former Warhawks.

Juniors Matt Scott and Joe Chambers, senior Jaime Mazzi, and sophomore Matt Lesperance headlined the list of players who will return to campus next season. In addition, former 'Hawks Jacob Counts, Jeff Glasbrenner, Eric Barber and new 'Hawks wheelchair basketball coach Jeremy Lade represented the red, white and blue.

During the preliminary rounds, Team USA posted a 4-1 record, which earned the team a No. 2 seed in pool B. Team USA led all 10 countries with 75.6 points per game, including a preliminary round-high 97 against China.

Lade said the team was quick, and the roster was deep with talent, but matching up with their opponents was tough.

"Some of our strengths were our team speed and our ability to play everyone on the team and be successful," Lade said. "Our weakness was that we could play anyone and be effective, but it could be difficult to find the line-up that was going to be successful for that particular game or situation."

As the team prepared to play in the medal round, they automatically advanced through the semifinals when Iran forfeited the game because of a change in scheduling.

Former wheelchair head coach Tracy Chynoweth said he was surprised to hear the news but the team had to focus on its next opponent, Canada, the two-time reigning gold medalists.

"It was a very confusing day to see something like that happen on a world championship level," Chynoweth said.

Team USA's chance to capture the gold medal ended in one of the most electrifying games in wheelchair basketball history with a 69-62 double overtime loss to Canada.

Lade said the defeat will never be easy to forget.

"The game against Canada was intense, because there is a rivalry between Canada and us," Lade said. "Add the fact that this game went into double overtime, [and it] made the game one of the more memorable games we will ever be a part of."

The team's chance to win any medal came to a halt with an 85-77 loss to Great Britain, who gave the U.S. its only loss in the preliminary rounds.

Chynoweth said Team USA lacked the experience of Canada and Great Britain.

"We were playing among the four best teams in the world," Chynoweth said. "Canada was the same team that won the last two Paralympics gold medals and had a ton of experience, and several members of Great Britain were playing in their third or fourth Paralympics. We lost to great teams."

Lesperance said the time in Beijing was unforgettable.

"It was a once in a lifetime experience, and I loved it," Lesperance said. "The Paralympics is the top level of wheelchair basketball and to be a part of it is a true honor. To go into the games wearing USA on my chest and to represent my country is very special to me and is something that I will never forget."

Lade said the trip was a success even though they came home without a medal.

"We had a blast as a team on and off the court," Lade said. "Anyone who tries to say that our trip was not a success because we did not medal does not understand how close we were to the gold medal game. These opportunities don't come around enough to weigh the experience on wins and losses. You have to enjoy the journey. Without ever losing, how can you truly enjoy winning?"