TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Basketball players give camp a shot

ADVERTISEMENT

By JOYCE McKENZIE

jmckenzie@tampatrib.com

Published: July 8, 2009

EAST TAMPA " - If better is possible, then good is not enough."

That was the motto emblazed on the backs of T-shirts worn by several physically disabled athletes who participated in the Paralympic Sport Tampa Bay Wheelchair Basketball Camp from June 25 to 27.

Sponsored through a grant by U.S. Paralympics and held at the All People's Life Center, it was open to boys and girls ages 10 through 22.

Paul Schulte, a two-time Paralympian - first in the 2000 Games in Sydney, Australia, and again in the Beijing 2008 Games - was the camp's lead instructor.

The Bradenton resident, who also was named most valuable player in the 2002 International Wheelchair Basketball Federation games in Kitakyushu, Japan, and whose team took first place in the 2008 North American Cup competition, is a design engineer for Invacare Top End, a sports wheelchair manufacturer in Pinellas Park.

"He is an outstanding teacher of the game of basketball, but most of all he's a great person and a perfect role model for these kids," said Andy Chasanoff, sports coordinator of the recently designated Paralympic Sport Tampa Bay, formerly known as BlazeSports Tampa Bay. The club is one of 85 in the nation sanctioned by U.S. Paralympics as a Paralympic sport center.

Schulte led a series of action-packed practice sessions that offered techniques meant to help the athletes improve their passing, dribbling and shooting skills.

"We want these kids to grow not only as athletes but as good citizens in the community," Chasanoff said.

The training provided should help improve the kids' level of basketball performance when competing in Southern Region Paralympic Games, Chasanoff said.

"It's also a way for them to increase their self-esteem," he said.

Jeremy Campbell, three-time All-American wheelchair basketball star, also gave pointers to the campers, as did University of South Florida disable athlete Jeff Osterman and basketball coach Thyron Crawford from Webber International University in Babson Park.

Chasanoff's assistants, Becky Lehman and Wayne Bozeman, both recreational therapists, also helped.

"I enjoy working with the kids and seeing them achieve things that people say they can't do," said Bozeman. "I've learned a lot from Paul and Jeremy."

"One of my favorite things about this camp is seeing them progress and seeing them so excited about it," Lehman said.

Amputee Heather Haynie, 17, of Zephyrhills, who earned two golds and a silver medal at the 2008 International Wheelchair Amputee Games in Rutgers, N.J., said she participated in the camp with the intention of improving her skills in hopes of playing wheelchair basketball in college.

"I like doing these things because I get to improve on my skills, especially wheelchair control," said Emily Clark, 10, of Temple Terrace, who brought home 10 gold and two silver medals after competing in the 2008 National Junior Disability Championship Games at Rutgers.

"It's an experience to learn new things and have fun," said Temple Terrace's Catalina Bustamante, 18, a 2009 Armwood High graduate who plans to attend Hillsborough Community College with a goal of becoming a recreational therapist.

Camper Carissa Gore, 19, of Plant City will soon enter HCC with aspirations of becoming a children's physical therapist as well as being invited to compete in the 2010 Summer Paralympics in Singapore.

"The coaches help a lot, and they make sure you know what you're doing," Gore said.

The camp motivated Eric Taylor, 23, of Brandon, an avid basketball enthusiast who has played the game for three years, to learn new techniques

"The more I learn, the more I want to play," Taylor said. "I like learning from coach Schulte and I, too, would like to be a Paralympian."

Reporter Joyce McKenzie can be reached at (813) 731-8026.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT