1998-99 National Wheelchair Basketball Champions

Exerpts from Sunwheelers Shine, Sports 'N Spokes, June 1999, by Tip Thiboutot

    Charlotte's players had to hope the basketball gods would continue to answer their prayers in the championship game against Virginia Beach.  Hope and prayer were not all they had going for them, however-not with a starting linup consisting of the aforementioned Badger, Bafford, and Lankford, as well as Steve Coequyts and resourceful power-forword Jimmy Bruce.  Virginia Beach countered with a starting five of Berry, Petty, Wheeler, Jeromy Demitris, and their quick point guard, Jody Shiflett.
     With both teams extending their aggressive man to man defenses to the 3-point-line and beyond, the first half did not prove to be a tribute to shooting consistency.  Virginia Beach hit 35% of its first half shots.  Charlotte lowered that questionable standard to 25% but nevertheless managed to cling to a 2-point lead (20-18) following 20 minutes of play.  Badger (10 points) and Langford (9) were most responsible for that lead, scoring all but 1 of their team's 20.  Each hit a 3-pointer that provided Charlotte's margin (2).
     In the second half, Charlotte improved it shooting to 36%.  Virginia Beach, however, heated up, hitting 16 of 26 shots (62%).  This was possible because they spaced their offensive players and effectively eluded Charlotte's tenacious defenders.  They also executed the extra pass to wide-open shooters.  All the prayers in the world would not have filled the gaps in Charlotte's defense.  Brafford held to 5 points, said, "During the second half, Virginia Beach had a run where they were able to execute their offense and get Joe Wheeler open shots."
     "We all knew that we would play a better second half because we've done it all season,"  added Virginia Beach Coach Petty.  "And once Joe Wheeler started hitting his shots, I knew we had a chance to win."
     Hit his shots?  I'll say--8 of 11 in the second half (25 total points), a performance that earned him the  MVP award.  One of Joe Wheeler's shots was a bomb form international waters that transformed a 1-point Virgnia Beach deficit into a 42-40 advantage.  That proved to be a lead Virginia Beach would never relinguish  as they pulled away to score a 54-46 victory.

Jody Shiflett--2nd Team All Tourney

Joe Wheeler--Tournament MVP

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Mike Hill celebrates at net cutting ceremony