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2018-19 Season Preview - Adult Division III

By NWBA , 10/11/18, 5:00PM CDT

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The NWBA embarks on its 70th season and after a great offseason, it’s shaping up to be one of the best seasons yet. Several new teams have been established by grassroots organizations. Reigning champions have moved up to conquer new divisions. A number of talented players have taken their talents to new rosters, and a new batch of young stars prepare to rise at the dawn of the season.

We’ll cover all that news, division-by-division, in the next week in our 2018-2019 NWBA Season Previews. We move up to the Adult Division III for today’s breakdown :

Tons of new teams

Division III saw the most growth of any of our divisions this offseason, with nine new clubs joining for the 2018-19 campaign. The Cleveland Cavaliers are the most note-worthy of the newcomers, as they make the transition over from Adult Division I. Here’s a list of the other new teams, and their sponsoring organization:

> Charleston Riptide -  Adaptive Expedition

> Coastal Chairmen - Coastal Adaptive Sports

> Kansas City Wheelhawks

> Las Vegas Silver Bandits - Las Vegas Adapted Sports

> Magee Spokesmen - Magee Rehabilitation Hospital

> PossAbilities Rolling Bears - PossAbilities

> Tacoma Titans - Metro Parks Tacoma

> Triangle Thunder D3 -  NCSCIA

 

Considerable Contenders

The RHI Pacers will be absent for the 2018-19 season, leaving the throne vacant and the crown up for grabs. The Harrisonburg Cardinals loss by two points to  RHI in the National Championship Game. They’ll sit amongst the top-tier teams once again, as they feature three members of the 2018 NWBT All-Tournament Teams:  Anthony Alger (1st team), Tim Moworay (2nd team) and TJ Custer (2nd team).

The Triangle Thunder profile as a promising team as well. The Thunder stormed through competition, finishing third last year after entering the tourney as a #7 seed. Key players Tee Foster and Christian Rivera will have to elevate their game, and their team, if they want to finish number 1. Led by Justin South, the Rockford Chariots are another sleeper pick. The number nine seed finished 5th last year, and look to build upon last year’s success.

 

Who will be the breakout team of 2018-19?

Predicting breakouts each year is as tough as shooting a sit-still three-pointer. Could it be a sleeper from the Midwest, like Eastern Iowa Outlaws or Kansas City Wheelhawks ? Will a West Coast club like the Ability360 Phoenix Wheelchair Suns steal the shine this year? Deep South teams like the Tyler Thorns and TIRR Memorial Hermann Hotwheels will challenge for the crown with their influx of talent.

Adult Division III allows newer players and lesser developed teams the ability to play at a developmental or recreational level, but don’t tell these guys/gals that. The Adult Division III looks wide open for 2018-19, the big question is who will step up to capture the crown?