'Everyone is equal': Wheelchair basketball rolls into Brookfield for 9th annual Big Cheese Classic tournament
BROOKFIELD, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Laser-focused and with their eyes on the basket, hundreds of athletes outfitted in colorful jerseys took to Brookfield East's gymnasium to break both backboards and boundaries on Saturday, Feb. 18.
14 teams from across the country traveled to the state to compete in the Wisconsin Adaptive Sports Association's (WASA) 9th annual Big Cheese Classic -- a basketball tournament held "featuring current, former and future Paralympians."
Maria Manby, the outreach director for WASA, said the goal is to make the community "inclusive of all athletes."
“I don’t think everyone remembers that our community is made up of everyone. Able-bodied, those with disabilities, and when we can get in a sports chair and play wheelchair basketball, everyone is equal on that court," Manby said. “If you’ve never seen wheelchair basketball, it’s a great opportunity to come out and support your community, support those in adaptive sports, and see something that is really unique and fun.”
14 teams. One tournament. Welcome to the 9th annual Big Cheese Classic in #Brookfield where hundreds are breaking backboards AND boundaries ? Watch @CBS58 at 10 for inspiring messages from players on and off the court pic.twitter.com/OdXtEjpA5G
— Ellie Nakamoto-White (@ellienw_news) February 19, 2023
Jeremy "Opie" Lade, the captain of the Marquette Eagles, said he's been playing basketball since he was about 12 years old.
“My favorite part, without a doubt, is the camaraderie. I’ve even made lifelong friends. We just got done playing a team from Florida and the guy on the team from Florida is my best friend. We’ve been friends forever and ever," Lade told CBS 58's Ellie Nakamoto-White. "But I think it’s also a very respectful environment. We have a lot of fun. Everybody knows that we’re trying to get better and now everyone appreciates the effort."
Becca Murray, a player on WASA's Golden Eagles, agreed, noting the competitive yet supportive atmosphere.
“I think people think it’s gonna be not so physical and so when they come and actually watch a game and people are falling over and everything, I think it really surprises them," Murray said. “It’s just a very accepting environment like I said, and people smiling and having fun with each other no matter what background you come from.”
Both noted the practice and perseverance that playing the sport takes.
“We get the question all the time if it’s hard to learn wheelchair basketball and I compare it to the first time you do anything. The first time you do anything is difficult but as long as you put in the effort to get better at it, you’re gonna be successful," Lade said. “We all have challenges; we all have adversity and it’s just a matter of overcoming those challenges to be successful."
If you missed Saturday's tournament, teams will be competing Sunday, Feb. 19 from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 3305 Brookfield Rd.
There is no admission charge and the event is open to the public.