The wheelchair basketball team, Junior Wheel Blazers, practices every Saturday at 10am in Portland State’s Inclusive Recreation Center. Coached by Laura Riddler, the team competes against other teams in the state and in tournaments across the Northwest. The players are between 8-12 years old and all have various physical disabilities, but not all are permanently bound to wheelchairs. They are apart of Adaptive Sports NW and promote an inclusive environment that’s constantly motivating disabled individuals to get involved in sports!
Bright and early on October 28th, 2017, Coach Laura Ridler outlines the morning’s practice to her eager players. Every Saturday, the Junior Wheel Blazers basketball team meets at Portland State University’s Inclusive Recreation Center to practice for the upcoming season.As Coach Laura details the game plan, Natasha Melton, 18, looks at her with anticipation. She’s mentally taking notes about how to better her approach and lead her team to a win.The score is close as high school senior, Natasha Melton, recovers a rebound and squares up against her opponent. She quickly decides to pass the ball to her teammate who is better set up to take a shot.Natasha Melton cradles a basketball emblazoned with her team’s name as she waits for Coach Laura’s cue to inbound the ball.Coach Laura kickstarts the match as she hands off the game ball to Natasha Melton, 18, to inbound. Melton is itching to get out on the court as she already has her eyes glued to the teammate she plans on passing it to.
