The Canadian Men's Wheelchair Basketball Team started the day off on a good note, defeating their US rivals by a score of 67-52, and earning a point for Team Canada.  That victory ensured that the three Canadian programs would get some money out of the North America Cup.  One victory means a minimum of $2500 USD, although that would be split three ways.

The Canadian women's team followed up with a victory of their own against the US Women's Basketball Team, with a somewhat narrower 49-40 margin of victory.  Next on the court... the world champion Canadian Wheelchair Rugby Team, which was G-less.

Prior to the game, being the warrior he is, G tried to warm up, but the pain to his left hand was too much, and he wasn't able to grip the ball.  Garett wasn't sure exactly how the injury occured, but it was a freak accident, and nothing deliberate.  There was an impact that occured while he was coming down hard with his hand, then something jammed and pulled, and he knew right away that something major had just happened.  It doesn't appear to be a long-term injury, but for today's game, that was it, and G watched an important game he would rather have played in.

The Canadians faced their continental rivals without the only man who has ever been awarded the MVP at a world championships, and played hard.  After the first quarter, the score was – you guessed it – tied.  Aside from that familiar scenario, the first quarter was also noted for three Canadian timeouts, which hurt us later in the game.

Second quarter - tied.

Third quarter - tied still.

Fourth and final quarter - [insert turnover here] - Oops!  ... and without the luxury of available timeouts, the Americans took the game by four, winning 29-25.  That victory for the stars and stripes squad ensured that the home team retained some greenbucks for themselves, with $2500 USD going to the three US teams, and $7500 going to the three teams from the land where air conditioning is still optional.  Our share of that money will go to defray costs of the next major trip - to the World Wheelchair Games in Christchurch, New Zealand.

Among the eight Canadians who played in this final game were:

0.5 - Daniel Paradis
1.0 - Mike Bacon
1.5 - Patrice Simard
2.0 - Al Semeniuk
2.0 - David Willsie
3.0 - Ian Chan
3.0 - Fabien Lavoie
3.0 - Mike Whitehead

The US National Team has now been posted in Birmingham, so I can now feel justified at revealing a bit about it.

They chose 16 players, including SEVEN 2.0's.  The breakdown of the total classifications is as follows.

0.5 - 2
1.0 - 2 ?
2.0 - 7
2.5 - 2
3.0 - 3 (including Mark Zupan from Texas and Lynn Nelson from Portland)

More players to be announced later. ;-)