Merriwether Middle School Assistant Principal Wayne Mar-chant doesn't have much practice rolling across a basketball court in a wheelchair. The athletic director is excited to challenge not only his student body Thursday but also the Blazing Bulldogs wheelchair team.
The Bulldogs, a Champions Made from Adversity Augusta team, are headed to a national tournament in Denver next month. The nonprofit group helps the physically disabled lead active lives through sports such as wheelchair basketball.
When Marchant's co-worker mentioned that a family member was on the team and was raising money for the trip, the school decided to hold an exhibition game for them. Marchant said the game also offered a fun way for pupils to be involved in the community.
Thursday night's game will feature a novice Merriwether Middle team taking on the highly trained Bulldogs. The Bulldogs have a 12-7 season.
"People are going to see the athleticism of our players," said Jeff Snover, the Bulldogs' coach and Champions Made from Adversity chairman. "(Spectators) will see how difficult it is to maneuver the chair. It's just going to be an inspirational time. Just the stories these guys have and how they've overcome barriers in their lives with disabilities is amazing."
The team will be joined by Paralympian Scott Winkler, of Grovetown. Winkler, a Bulldog, is ranked eighth in the world for Paralympian shot put.
Chris Bryant, a North Augusta team member and Army veteran, will be on the court. The Augusta native joined the team in 2007 after hearing of it in rehabilitation. He was active in not only basketball but also football and several other sports before his injury. He said the adjustment of counting how many times to push the chair and then dribble was a steep learning curve, but he's proud he joined the team.
"From a viewers perspective, I get a lot of response, but when they actually get a chance to sit in the audience and see how fast-paced the game is, they are shocked," he said.
Bryant said watching and even participating in the game give people a chance to experience that anyone can stay active:
"It's important to experience the game and how disabled individuals still have the ability to have involvement in their life; there's nothing you can't do."
Snover said he's impressed with the way the community has rallied around the team's efforts to get to Denver. UPS offered free shipping on all the wheelchairs for the game, which was a large cost of going to the tournament.
Last year the team finished 13 out of 26 teams at the tournament. This year, Snover would like to see them finish in the top 5.
"Our record this season isn't as good as last year's, but this team has really grown together and just seeing them play is a great way to see their chemistry," Snover said.
Reach Julia Sellers at julia.sellers@northaugustatoday.com.
WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL GAME
WHERE: Merriwether Middle School, 430 Murrah Road, North Augusta
WHEN: 6 p.m. Thursday
COST: Donations only
FEATURING: The Blazing Bulldogs team and Paralympian Scott Winkler
