COLORADO SPRINGS, CO–The Charlottesville Cardinals wheelchair basketball team was named #11 in today’s Top Twenty national rankings issued by the National Wheelchair Basketball Association.
The Cardinals, previously ranked #9, remain in the “Sweet Sixteen” that will compete for the national championship in the NWBA’s Division II in Louisville, Kentucky this April. Bids for the national championship slots are expected to be issued next week.
The February rankings proved a bit volatile with the Austin Rec’ers squad jumping from #11 to #5, and the #17 LA Clippers Chairmen coming in at #9–pushing the Cardinals down two spots. The previously unranked Lakeshore (AL) Storm claimed the #14 spot.
“We’re feeling pretty confident as we move into the end of the season,” said player-coach Tom Vandever. “We had a good tournament showing at the Summit City Shootout in Fort Wayne, Indiana at the beginning of February and we’re looking forward to the Carousel House Tournament in Philadelphia next weekend.”
The Cardinals are currently 11-4 in Division II competition with two close losses to the #7 Charlotte Rollin’ Hornets. The Cardinals have notched victories over the #1 Nassau Kings, the #8 Ft. Lauderdale Sharks, the #12 Philadelphia Magee Sixers, and the #13 San Antonio ParaSport Spurs this season.
2018 NWBA Division II February Top Twenty Rankings