2008 Woodie Awards
Wheelchair basketball team loses first game since January 2007
Demetrius Klyce
Issue date: 1/23/08 Section: Sports
An undefeated season at any level of sports is a rare accomplishment - one that few teams are ever able to approach. The Warhawk wheelchair basketball team found out just how tough the feat is, as its dream of a perfect season came to an end Saturday with a 54-50 loss to the University of Illinois.
The loss was UW-Whitewater's first in more than a year, as its last loss was a 85-75 defeat by the Denver Wheelchair Nuggets on Jan. 14, 2007. The loss to the Fighting Illini gave the 'Hawks a 3-1 record for the weekend, with wins over the University of Edinboro Fighting Scots, 87-47; the University of Illinois Lady Fighting Illini, 74-20; and the University of Southwest Minnesota State Mustangs, 73-42.
Head Coach Tracy Chynoweth expressed his team's goal of improved decision-making, and also was relieved that the loss happened in the middle portion of the team's season.
"We have a lot of things to work on, primarily being more cohesive on the offensive end of the floor," Chynoweth said. "We'll have to make smart decisions as a team on every possession to be able to compete with Illinois down the stretch. They are a great young team, and I think it was only a matter of time until they were going to be able to put a team on the floor that could knock us off. I'm just glad we experienced this game now and not in March."
The Warhawks outscored its opponents 288-159 and also outrebounded its opponents 148-95. Individually, the team was led by senior Matt Scott, who averaged 16.5 points in four games, including a double-double performance of 31 points and 12 rebounds in its win versus Edinboro on Friday. Sophomore Joe Chambers also recorded a double-double of 25 points and 11 rebounds in the loss against the University of Illinois Saturday.
Senior Jeremy Campbell said the loss to Illinois will make the team more devoted on its run to another championship.
"I believe the loss will only make our team more focused and hungry in defending the title we brought to Whitewater last year," Campbell said. "This team we have now is the most talented in the history of college wheelchair basketball and now the only things left to do are to match the talent with intelligence."
The UW-Whitewater wheelchair basketball team is currently 14-1 on the season. The team will next be in action Feb. 1-2, when it travels to Columbia, Mo.
The loss was UW-Whitewater's first in more than a year, as its last loss was a 85-75 defeat by the Denver Wheelchair Nuggets on Jan. 14, 2007. The loss to the Fighting Illini gave the 'Hawks a 3-1 record for the weekend, with wins over the University of Edinboro Fighting Scots, 87-47; the University of Illinois Lady Fighting Illini, 74-20; and the University of Southwest Minnesota State Mustangs, 73-42.
Head Coach Tracy Chynoweth expressed his team's goal of improved decision-making, and also was relieved that the loss happened in the middle portion of the team's season.
"We have a lot of things to work on, primarily being more cohesive on the offensive end of the floor," Chynoweth said. "We'll have to make smart decisions as a team on every possession to be able to compete with Illinois down the stretch. They are a great young team, and I think it was only a matter of time until they were going to be able to put a team on the floor that could knock us off. I'm just glad we experienced this game now and not in March."
The Warhawks outscored its opponents 288-159 and also outrebounded its opponents 148-95. Individually, the team was led by senior Matt Scott, who averaged 16.5 points in four games, including a double-double performance of 31 points and 12 rebounds in its win versus Edinboro on Friday. Sophomore Joe Chambers also recorded a double-double of 25 points and 11 rebounds in the loss against the University of Illinois Saturday.
Senior Jeremy Campbell said the loss to Illinois will make the team more devoted on its run to another championship.
"I believe the loss will only make our team more focused and hungry in defending the title we brought to Whitewater last year," Campbell said. "This team we have now is the most talented in the history of college wheelchair basketball and now the only things left to do are to match the talent with intelligence."
The UW-Whitewater wheelchair basketball team is currently 14-1 on the season. The team will next be in action Feb. 1-2, when it travels to Columbia, Mo.
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