The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

The wheel deal

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Some might have had to switch chairs.

That was totally fine.

Shun Takashima works on his dribbling skills on July 29 during a Wheelchair Basketball Clinic at Rushe Middle School, in Land O’ Lakes. Takashima was one of nearly 20 wheelchair athletes taking part in the six hour-clinic held by the Pasco County Parks, Recreation, & Natural Resources Department. Paul Schulte, a Summer Paralympics medalist, ran the clinic. Athletes learned the fundamentals of not just wheelchair basketball, but the importance of keeping active when facing a sedentary lifestyle.
(Mike Camunas)

At the Wheelchair Basketball Clinic, held July 29 at Rushe Middle School in Land O’ Lakes, nearly 20 wheelchair and special-needs athletes had the chance to learn, first hand, the ins and outs of the sport and benefits of keeping active.

“Some of the people who came out today — it was their first time with the sport or even in a sports chair,” said Paul Schulte, two-time Paralympics wheelchair basketball medalist and point guard.

“(It) can be very special to watch, as they take the court, because their eyes light up as they realize it’s very different from a regular chair. They sit in it and it just starts moving, so it’s a very different experience.

“To do (sports) in your everyday chair is okay, but in a sports chair is way more fun, which is what many got to do today for the first time,” Schulte said.

The Pasco County Parks, Recreation, & Natural Resources Department and its Adaptive & Inclusive Recreation (P.A.I.R) program hosted the event. Scarlett Lawhorn, recreation leader at the Wesley Chapel District Park, organized it.

Schulte, along with fellow Team USA player Correy Rozzi and former collegiate player Lynn Pagano, coached the athletes of varying ages through drills, scrimmages and scenarios.

Schulte said the clinic was to teach participants about wheelchair basketball, but also adaptive sports equipment and the benefits of keeping active while living life from a wheelchair.

“We talk to them and tell them our stories (of how we ended up as para-athletes),” he said. “We also reinforce in them independence and the importance of staying active in what is essentially a sedentary lifestyle.

“Because a lot of times, honestly, parents or people can be wary of this because of injury by stubbing a finger or falling over, but really not doing this could be more damaging than that little injury.

“Getting in some cardio really is important.”

Published August 09, 2023

Rebecca Di Giorgio takes a big shot during downtime of the Wheelchair Basketball Clinic at Rushe Middle School, in Land O’ Lakes, on July 29. The Pasco County Parks, Recreation, & Natural Resources Department hosted the event.
Griffin Cloyd takes a shot during the Wheelchair Basketball Clinic at Rushe Middle School in Land O’ Lakes on July 29.
Nearly 20 wheelchair athletes attended the Wheelchair Basketball Clinic at Rushe Middle School in Land O’ Lakes on July 29, hosted by the Pasco County Parks, Recreation, & Natural Resources Department. The clinic was led by Paul Schulte, a Summer Paralympics medalist. Schulte is from Top End Wheelchairs, a sporting wheelchair company in Pinellas Park.
Joey Thurman, center, and Jacob Paul, right, run the court during a Wheelchair Basketball Clinic at Rushe Middle School in Land O’ Lakes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Matthew Alverez decides on his next move during the Wheelchair Basketball Clinic at Rushe Middle School in Land O’ Lakes.
Blake Nester heads down the court with the ball during a scrimmage at the Wheelchair Basketball Clinic.
Paul Schulte, a Summer Paralympics medalist, talks to nearly 20 special-needs athletes during the Wheelchair Basketball Clinic at Rushe Middle School in Land O’ Lakes on July 29.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chance Kern watches as drills are run during the Wheelchair Basketball Clinic on July 29.
Aston Knowles makes a high pass during the Wheelchair Basketball Clinic on July 29.
Nearly 20 wheelchair athletes attended the Wheelchair Basketball Clinic at Rushe Middle School in Land O’ Lakes on July 29, hosted by the Pasco County Parks, Recreation, & Natural Resources Department.