THE CONFLUENCE

NWBA Midwest Conference Tournament
October 23, 2004

There was no question on who was the better team as Coast demolished the Cougars and demonstrated high quality play with hot hands from Bicket, Gwaltney, and De Laney.
 

March 11th and 12th, Junior Center Coast represented The Confluence at the Illinois High School Association State Wheelchair Basketball Championships. The tournament was played at the Convention Center in Peoria in the Exhibition Hall during the Boys State Championships. Coast went undefeated in round robin play to take the championship.

On day one, Friday at 10AM, third seeded Coast defeated the #2 Seed Peoria Wildcats 28-4. An early press by Coast set the tone creating many Wildcat turnovers and allowing Coast to keep the ball in their hands much of the time. No shot clock (high school rules) played an important role in strategy and Coast showed good discipline by utilizing good passing and waiting for the right shot. Once a sufficient lead was established, Coast dropped the press and hustled back to defend in a 2-2-1. Upperclassmen Justin Siebert and Chris DeWall led the scoring with 12 and 10 points respectively. James Clark added 4 points and Jesse Cox had 2 points. Both Cox and Colin DeWitt put in some great defensive play.

At 1PM Coast took on the number one seeded Rockford Junior Chariots. Utilizing the same strategy, Coast jumped to an early lead and kept it throughout the game. Senior Chris DeWall had the best defensive game of his career pulling down a majority of the team's rebounds. Junior Justin Siebert did his job as floor captain encouraging the younger team members to stay disciplined with their passing helping Coast maintain possession of the ball as much as possible. The Chariots were tough competitors, but Coast proved to be the better team prevailing 24-18. James Clark was high scorer with 12 points and Chris and Justin had 6 points each. All five players gave a great effort keeping their eye on the prize of a State Championship.

On day two Coast met Chicago Public Schools North and Chicago Public Schools South. Both teams were less experienced, but have programs that are developing. With only five players representing Coast, it was important they all understood that they needed to be ready (healthy and fit) to compete on Saturday. If we didn't have all five, we would be disqualified and not win the championship. Everyone was ready and Coast breezed through both games defeating North 37-4 and South 50-8. In these games Coast did not press and utilized a compressed 2-2-1. Scoring in game 3: Clark - 16, Siebert - 12, Cox - 4, DeWall - 3, DeWitt - 2. Scoring in game 4: Clark - 18, Siebert - 16, DeWall - 10, Cox - 4, DeWitt - 2.

Coast waited several hours for the awards ceremony following the playoff between the Chariots and Wildcats (Chariots won). The team was awarded with the traditional IHSA plaque and each player received a gold medallion.

Illinois is the first high school association in the country to recognize and endorse wheelchair basketball as a sport. Coast is already looking forward to defending their title in 2006, but will enjoy being state champs for a year.

Jim and Lyn thank all of the parents for their support. We couldn't have your kids without you. We love our team and are very proud of everyone who helped us play so well. Even in their absence, team member Nell Mack who had a scheduling conflict and adult player Brent Bicket were an integral part of the team's success because of their commitment to practices. Thank you Steve DeWall for keeping our scorebook, keeping the scorer's table on task, and supporting all the kids.

March 4th a small group represented Center Coast at Justin Siebert's school in Festus, MO. for an exhibition fundraiser. In a desire to raise money for Justin's team, Festus High School chose to have the fundraiser during school hours. Students had to pay a dollar to get out of class and come to the game. The Booster club sold candy and snacks as well. The gym was full and all kids had a great time. The Pom Squad and the Drum Corps performed between games. Funds raised help pay for our trip to the IHSA tournament.

Center Coast Juniors James Clark, Jesse Cox, Chris DeWall, Colin DeWitt, Nell Mack, and Justin Siebert, along with Clayton De Laney won two practice games against the Peoria Wildcats on Saturday February 26th. With half of our team living in Central and Southern Illinois, we don't get everyone together very often. Practice the previous Monday and this trip gave our juniors a chance to play together and prepare for the IHSA State Tournament.

Saturday, December 4th Center Coast played the Rolling Rams and the Kansas Wheelhawks. Coast fell short in both games however they gave the (conference leader) Wheelhawks all they could handle in the final game of the day. Coast players participating included Matt Baumgart, Brent Bicket, Silas Cox, Clayton De Laney, Chris DeWall, Tim Fornachon, Aleki Fualau, Matt Glowacki, Nell Mack, Justin Siebert. Pictures from the game with the Wheelhawks are shown below.

Saturday, October 23rd The Confluence hosted the first NWBA Midwest Conference tournament of the season. Four of the six conference teams participated and competed in round robin play.

Results:

Game 1 Center Coast def St. Louis Rams 47-31
Game 2 Thunder def Chairiots 59-27
Game 3 Confluence def Thunder 49-28
Game 4 Rams def Chairiots 58-46
Game 5 Center Coast def Chairiots 46-25
Game 6 Thunder def Rams 43-40

The Coast team consisted of five adults and three juniors most of whom have been practicing together on a regular basis. Matt Baumgart, Brent Bicket, Silas Cox, Chris DeWall, Aleki Fualau, Matt Glowacki, Nell Mack, and Justin Siebert all shared playing time to take Coast to a 3-0 record.*

The Confluence couldn't host such a successful event with out our great officials, volunteers, and players and family members who helped in any way they could throughout the day.

Our gym is the best in the conference. The Lincoln Middle School gym is huge and we are able to utilize the lobby and snack bar area to provide hospitality (breakfast, lunch, and snacks) throughout the day. This is the third year that we have been able to utilize Lincoln Middle School.

*In the NWBA, players are classified according to their physical disability as a Class 1, 2, or 3 with Class 3 being the most able bodied. To play legally, a team is limited to 12 points on the floor at any time. Coast could have played legally this weekend, but with five Class 3 players, three Class 2 players, and no Class 1 players, we would not have been able to share playing time as equally as we wanted to. Therefore, on the record books, The Confluence forfeited each of its games and technically Coast's record is 0-3.

Thanks to Glenda Siebert for taking a few pictures: