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U.S. Men’s Wheelchair Basketball Team Cruises Past Argentina on Second Day of Parapan American Games
By Susan Katz
// USOC Media Services
// August 14, 2007
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Joe Chambers had a monster first half, going for 23 points and 13 rebounds in a big U.S. win over Argentina.
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RIO DE JANEIRO — The U.S. Men’s Wheelchair Basketball Team continued its winning ways on Tuesday, dispatching Argentina, 85-35, in its second game of pool play at the 2007 Parapan American Games. The team was led by big man Joe Chambers (Davis, Calif./Whitewater, Wisc.) who racked up a double-double in just 20 minutes of play. Chambers led all players with 23 points and 13 rebounds despite not playing in the second half.
“I was lucky enough that my little guys were getting me in the paint and it just worked for my benefit that I was hitting shots,” said Chambers.
The team struggled just a bit out of the gate, leading by only four points at the end of the first quarter. But, U.S. head coach Steve Wilson (Racine, Wisc.) used a variety of line-ups off the deep bench to help spark his team into action.
“Having 12 players that can contribute and the ability to use all of them in multiple line-ups makes it harder for other teams to scout us and it helps us show the guys that we trust them and believe in what they’re capable of doing,” said Wilson.
For the second day in a row, all 12 U.S. athletes saw solid minutes in the game and U.S. co-captain Paul Schulte (Manchester, Mich./Bradenton, Fla.) says this depth is a strength that will continue to work to the team’s benefit throughout the tournament.
“Everybody on our team can come in at any time and play the defense we need them to play or hit clutch shots,” said Schulte. “When you’re entering a big game against high-quality athletes and you know you have 12 guys to back you up it helps you get out there and go for it without any reservations.”
The U.S. wraps up pool play on Wednesday against Colombia at 6:00 PM at the Rio Multipurpose Arena. Championship round play begins on Thursday.
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