CARSON, CA – The 2018 NWBA National Women’s Wheelchair Basketball Tournament kicked off today in Carson, California. This year’s tournament marks the 40th anniversary of women competing within the NWBA and is highlighted by the largest women's tournament hosted to date. The 2018 NWWBT is being held from March 23-25 at Carson Park and Veterans SportsComplex in Carson, CA. Day one at the 2018 NWWBT featured some great competition and included both team and individual accomplishments. Please read below for a summary of all the action at the 2018 NWWBT.

No. 2 WASA Bucks Women defeat No. 7 Charlotte Rollin’ Hornets Women, 65-54

The WASA Bucks Women return to action at an NWWBT after a year of absence from the NWBA having been crowned the 2016 National Championships of the Women’s Division. The Bucks first game was against the newly formed team in the Charlotte Rollin’ Hornets Women. Even with a 22-point outing from Jordan Kozloski of Warner Robins, Georgia, the Rollin’ Hornets couldn’t keep pace with the Bucks losing 65-54.  Both Becca Murray of Germantown, Wisconsin and Natalie Schneider of Ord, Nebraska were highlighted on offense with 29 points for Murray and 24 points for Schneider.

No. 9 San Diego Black Widows defeat No. 8 ParaSport Spokane, 20-14

The tournament kicked off at Carson Park with a defensive battle of 20-14 in favor of the San Diego Black Widows. The Black Widows received a great game from Shanayha Welsh of Oceanside, California, as she tallied a total of 12 points. Welsh is also a member of the #21 ranked San Diego Hammer of the Junior Varsity Division, who are looking to contend for a tournament championship during the Junior National Invitational Tournament at the 2018 National Wheel Basketball Tournament presented by ABC Medical.

No. 3 Arizona Storm defeat No. 6 Seattle Storm, 43-14

The Arizona Storm used their roster of veterans to secure a win in their first game at a NWWBT in their first season in the NWBA. The AZ Storm had three athletes in double digits that contributed to the team’s point total of 43. These contributing athletes for the AZ Storm included Jennifer Ruddell of Flagstaff, Arizona with 14 points, Brandi Evans of El Paso, Texas with 10 points and Jenn Poist of Tucson, Arizona with 12 points. The Seattle Storm’s point leader was Jami Tribby of Renton, Washington, with 10 points.

No. 4 LWSRA Lady Hawks defeat No. 5 Utah Rush Women, 38-30

The second game of the day at Carson Park was a rematch of the third-place game from the 2017 National Women’s Wheelchair Basketball Tournament, that resulted in a 37-33 victory for the LWSRA Lady Hawks. The Utah Rush Women roster remained the same from a year ago, though great development and team chemistry was on display as they worked to keep pace with the Hawks. The Hawks led by a narrow margin of 19-16 at halftime. A strong third quarter of 13 team points, allowed the Hawks to capture their first victory of the tournament 38-30. The Hawks were led by 2016 Rio Paralympic gold medalist Gail Ganeng of Chicago, Illinois, with a total of 20 points.

No. 1 PossAbilities Shield Maidens defeat No. 9 San Diego Black Widows, 63-7

The top seeded PossAbilities Shield Maidens started play at 2018 NWWBT against the ninth seeded San Diego Black Widows, winners of their first game of the day 20-14 against ParaSport Spokane. The host team Shield Maidens were determined to advance to the quarterfinals as they started the game on a 24-0 run in only the first quarter of the game. Those in attendance were fortunate to be on hand to witness an excellent shooting performance from team captain, Courtney Ryan of Culver City, California, with a total of 29 points for the Shield Maidens. Ryan was joined by six other members of the Shield Maidens accounting for two or more points for the Shield Maidens.

No. 5 Utah Rush Women defeat No. 9 San Diego Black Widows, 60-12

Determined after a loss in their first game the Utah Rush Women came out on fire shooting in a consolation playback game against the San Diego Black Widows. The Rush distributed the ball around the court creating ample opportunities for the team to head into half with a 34-6 led. The Rush continue to maintain control of the ball in the second half as they rolled to a 60-12 victory to advance passed the Black Widows. The Rush received great performances from Josie DeHart Fruita, Colorado with 17 points and Marlee Wagstaff of Woods Cross, UT with 16 points.

No. 7 Charlotte Rollin’ Hornets Women defeat No. 8 ParaSport Spokane, 44-18

The Charlotte Rollin’ Hornets Women and ParaSport Spokane both looked to rebound from their first game and loss of the NWWBT. The Rollin’ Hornets stung ParaSport from the start with a 16-4 led after the first quarter. The ParaSport Spokane had 16 of their 18 points scored by Sophie Munter of Spokane, Washington. The Rollin’ Hornets’ Candice Law of Huntersville, North Carolina amassed for 18 points in the game.

No. 2 WASA Bucks Women defeat No. 3 Arizona Storm, 72-43

The first quarterfinal of the day was held at Veterans SportsComplex with the WASA Bucks Women matching up against the Arizona Storm. The Bucks took a lead into halftime behind a 20-point first half from Becca Murray, 38-27. The AZ Storm received 21 points from two-time Paralympic gold medalist Jennifer Ruddell. The Bucks led start to finish as they capped off the game with 14 points in the fourth quarter to secure a 72-43 win.

No. 7 Charlotte Rollin’ Hornets Women defeat No. Seattle Storm, 54-24

The Seattle Storm matched up with the Charlotte Rollin’ Hornets in a consolation playback game that would eliminate a team from title contention and place the loser in the 7th-9th place pool play. The Storm had a very strong second quarter scoring 16 points, 10 of which were scored by Jami Tribby. The Rollin’ Hornets had two athletes with fourteen points in Jordan Kozloski and Candice Law. The high scoring offense of the Rollin’ Hornets was too much for the Storm as the Hornets captured their second victory of the tournament, 54-24. The Seattle Storm’s top scorer continued her efforts as Tribby accumulated a tournament high for herself with 14 points.

No. 1 PossAbilities Shield Maidens defeat No. 4 LWSRA Lady Hawks, 51-44

Day one ended with an exciting quarterfinal game between the PossAbilities Shield Maidens and the LWSRA Lady Hawks. This game was a game of scoring runs as each team had four runs of at least 5-0 scoring advantage for their team. The Hawks closed the gap in the in second half with a score 34-31 midway thru the third quarter. The second half push by the Hawks wasn’t enough though as the Shield Maidens were able the second spot in the first semifinal game with a 51-44 victory. The Shield Maidens were led again by their leading scorer Courtney Ryan with 21 points.
 

For score updates on the 2018 NWWBT follow the NWBA on Twitter @NWBA or https://twitter.com/NWBA. Information on the Live Stream feeds can be found below.
 

Venue Locations

Carson Park, 21411 Orrick Avenue, Carson, CA 90745

Veterans Sports Complex, 22400 Moneta Avenue, Carson, CA 90745
 

Live Streams

All games during the 2018 NWWBT hosted at Carson Park will be live stream at: https://www.facebook.com/shieldmaidensbball/

All games during the 2018 NWWBT hosted at Veterans SportsComplex will be live stream at: https://www.facebook.com/NWBAWomenDivision/
 

Results

San Diego Black Widows defeat ParaSport Spokane, 20-14
WASA Bucks Women defeat Charlotte Rollin’ Hornets – Women, 65-54
LWSRA Lady Hawks defeat Utah Rush – Women, 38-30
Arizona Storm defeat Seattle Storm, 43-14
Charlotte Rollin’ Hornets – Women defeat ParaSport Spokane, 44-18
PossAbilities Shield Maidens defeat San Diego Black Widows, 63-7
Utah Rush Women defeat San Diego Black Widows, 60-12
WASA Bucks defeat Arizona Storm, 72-43
PossAbilities Shield Maidens defeat LWSRA Lady Hawks,51-44
Charlotte Rollin’ Hornets Women defeat Seattle Storm, 54-24

Schedule

Saturday, March 24

9 a.m. Semi-Final Game #13 at Carson Park

9 a.m. Consolation Playback Game #11 at Veterans SportsComplex

11 a.m. 7th – 9th Place Pool Play (Game 1) at Carson Park

11 a.m. Consolation Playback Game #12 at Veterans SportsComplex

1 p.m. 7th – 9th Place Pool Play (Game 2) at Carson Park

1 p.m. Quarterfinal Game #14 at Veterans SportsComplex

3 p.m. 7th – 9th Place Pool Play (Game 3) at Carson Park

3 p.m. Semi-Final Game #15 at Veterans SportsComplex

5 p.m. 5th Place Game at Veterans SportsComplex

Sunday, March 25

9 a.m. 3rd Place Game at Veterans SportsComplex

11 a.m. National Championship Game at Veterans SportsComplex