Wheelchair basketball team prepares to show what they can do on the Final Four court

HOUSTON. The local youth wheelchair basketball team prepares for a big moment on the court during the Final Four.

Hotwheels, a youth wheelchair basketball team with TIRR Memorial Hermann, will show people what they can do. They were chosen to play a grappling match in front of a huge crowd at NRG Stadium during Final Four practice.

“Somehow shy,” one of the athletes Lily Terral describes her attitude to this event. “I’m kind of happy and a little scared at the same time because there are going to be so many people screaming.”

Terral said she hopes other children in wheelchairs, like her, will be inspired to join adaptive sports.

Oliver Cunningham, 11, said he was excited too.

“It’s a little unnerving, but I think it’s a great way to show people and teach them about wheelchair basketball,” Cunningham said.

His mother, Lacey Cunningham, said she was very proud of the team.

“There is an opportunity for them to go and just show other people what they are capable of, which is really exciting,” Lacey Cunningham said.

Their coach, Peggy Turner, has been working with athletes with disabilities for over 30 years. She is the adaptive sports coordinator at TIRR Memorial Hermann.

“When the public comes out and looks they will go, oh look at those cute little kids in the chairs. In a few moments they won’t see the wheelchair. They will see the competition coming,” Turner said.

The NCAA recently honored Turner with a “Legends and Legacy” award as one of five Houstonians who have made a positive impact on society. Turner said the opportunities that young Hotwheels athletes have are very important for people involved in adaptive sports.

“We have the opportunity to showcase the competitiveness of wheelchair basketball when all 19 of our athletes compete in a mixed game so the public can see wheelchair basketball for themselves,” Turner said.

The Hotwheels team isn’t just training for the Final Four. In a few weeks they will have their own national tournament.

“I’m glad about it. We ride to get more experience on the trips we do together as a team,” Terral said.

“Going from a team that never won a single game to a first year team that started winning games, I mean it’s pretty cool,” said Oliver Cunningham.

Resilience is how Turner describes his team.

For now, they are continuing to train to not only put on a good show, but also to see how far they can go as a team.

Reese’s® Men’s Final Four Friday

10:10 – 10:30 – TIRR Memorial Hermann Hotwheels Youth Wheelchair Basketball Bout.

11:00 – 11:50 – Team 1 training.

Noon – 12:50 – Team 2 training

13:00 – 13:50 – Team 3 training

14:00 – 14:50 – Team 4 training.

3:30 pm – NABC All-Star Game

EXPENSES: Available and open to the public!

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