RESULTS: Turnstone Places Third in Regional Wheelchair Basketball Tournament

Tournament (Varsity Division) Recap

Despite maximum efforts from every opponent, no one could slow down the Lincolnway Special Recreation Association (LWSRA) Hawks from New Lenox, Ill., during the Turnstone Junior Regional Qualifier Tournament. The top Prep and Varsity Division wheelchair basketball teams traveled from four states to compete in Fort Wayne on January 29-30 in Turnstone’s Plassman Athletic Center in front of enthusiastic crowds.

Led by All-Tournament Team selections Zach Gorechi and Michael Guiney, the Hawks used outstanding balance on offense and strong team defense to dominate the varsity field to finish 5-0. LWSRA defeated the WASA Jr. Bucks from Brookfield, Wis., 42-32 in the championship game. The Hawks also got strong performances from Michael Gorechi, Gabriel Hammad, and Austin Spalla

Behind tournament Male Most Valuable Player Travis Beckler, WASA gave LWSRA its toughest game during the preliminary rounds before falling 39-38. Beckler was the easy MVP selection as he led the tournament in scoring, but also did an outstanding job of setting up his teammates such as Otto Jones.

WASA advanced to the finale by holding off the host team Turnstone Flyers by four points in the tournament’s last preliminary game. The Flyers came back to beat the Mary Free Bed Jr. Pacers from Grand Rapids 42-33 in the third-place contest. Kenzie Haag of Turnstone was named the Female Most Valuable Player for the weekend, and teammates Alex Haag, Zach Pfenning, and Cole Connelley earned All-Tournament squad spots. MFB was represented on the All-Tournament squad by Coleton Butterworth and William Oberg.

Fifth-place Motor City Wheelz placed Jeffery Kurtz and Thomas Miller on the All-Tournament squad.

MVP - Varsity Division Male
Travis Beckler, WASA Bucks

MVP - Varsity Division Female
Kenzie Haag, Turnstone Flyers

First Team Varsity Division All-Tournament
Zach Gorechi, LWSRA Hawks
Otto Jones, WASA Bucks
Alex Haag, Turnstone Flyers
Michael Guiney, LWSRA Hawks
Coleton Butterworth, Mary Free Bed Jr. Pacers

Second Team Varsity Division All-Tournament
Jeffery Kurtz, Motor City Wheelz
Zach Pfenning, Turnstone Flyers
William Oberg, Mary Free Bed Jr. Pacers
Thomas Miller, Motor City Wheelz
Cole Connelley, Turnstone Flyers

Tournament (Prep Division) Recap:

WASA also played extremely well in winning the Prep Division title, beating the RHI Racers from McCordsville, Ind., in the title game. MFB edged LWSRA in overtime during the third-place contest. Besides winning the title, WASA also took home both MVP awards thanks to Gianni Quintero and Catherine Reddin. Bryce Tock, Sidney Whaley-Smith, and Taylor Post also played well for the Bucks.

MVP - Prep Division Male
Gianni Quintero, WASA Bucks

MVP - Prep Division Female
Catherine Reddin, WASA Bucks

First Team Prep Division All-Tournament
Maxwell Stachel, RHI
Taylor Post, WASA Bucks
Ean VanGordon, RHI
Cameron Davis, LWSRA Hawks
Peyton Doctor, Mary Free Bed Jr. Pacers

Second Team Prep Division All-Tournament
Sidney Whaley-Smith, WASA Bucks
Greyson Gibbs, Mary Free Bed Jr. Pacers
Gabriel Hammond, LWSRA Hawks
Roberto Torres, Mary Free Bed Jr. Pacers
Ezra Ippel, Mary Free Bed Jr. Pacers

Next weekend Turnstone will host their annual Summit City Shootout which features some of the top Division I, II, and III wheelchair basketball teams traveling from five states.