As posted by: Kevin Hughes 

The Prep Turnstone Flyers wheelchair basketball team starts season 2-2 as they split home games against the top Michigan teams during Turnstone’s annual ’PREP FOR THE FUTURE’ round robin.

Nov. 8, 2008 ‘Prep For The Future’ Scores:

Game 1: Turnstone Flyers 14           Sterling Heights Challengers 26

Game 2: Grand Rapids Pacers 16    Sterling Heights Challengers 38

Game 3: Grand Rapids Pacers 14    Turnstone Flyers 22

Game 4: Turnstone Flyers 16           Sterling Heights Challengers 21

Game 5: Grand Rapids Pacers 12    Sterling Heights Challengers 34

Game 6: Grand Rapids Pacers 8      Turnstone Flyers 22

Turnstone Flyers Tourney Stats:

Jordan Thompson 12 points, 18 rebounds, 3 steals

Nina Welfle 22 points, 14 rebounds, 3 steals, 7 assists

Lazero Rodriguez 5 rebounds

Alex Leckron 8 points, 8 rebounds

Molly Welfle 6 rebounds

Aidian Judge 32 points, 13 steals, 5 assists, 20 rebounds

Michael Porter 1 rebound

Robert Burns 7 rebounds

Tyler Sarrazine 1 rebound

Both Michael Porter and AJ Hummer played in their first wheelchair basketball tournament. AJ provided great energy off the bench while Michael gained valuable playing time and earned his first rebound in the second game against Grand Rapids.

Most improved player from last season: Robert Burns is growing into one of the top 1-on1 defenders in this league. Robert’s not flashy but his quick chair skills and his consistent wheel position makes opposing players shake their head in disbelief.

Most exciting player to watch: Away from the basketball Molly Welfle did all the little things to help the team win. She played great shadow defense and on offense she was the opponents worse nightmare as she was picking, sealing, and screening each opportunity that came.

Interesting Nugget: Lazero Rodriguez is the only player that played on the 2003-2004 Prep Turnstone Flyers team that finished 2nd in the nation.

Final thoughts on the Grand Rapids games: The Jr. Pacers will continue to get better this season as they are well coached and have two of the top young athletes in the conference. T. Gentry is a solid point guard and is showing great poise in this second season. Newcomer C. Vanderweide is still learning the game and is showing signs that he can be a solid post player in the near future. As teams start to double team these two players N. Seif will be the third gun to watch out for. 

Final thoughts on Sterling Heights game: The Challengers played like they were in mid season form over the weekend as they bring back 4 core players from last season 2nd place finish at Nationals. In the second match-up between the teams it was encouraging to see the Flyers bounce back and make some key adjustments to only loose by 5 points. However, there’s no doubt that the Challengers will continue to get better as the season progresses and the Flyers will have to do the same to continue to roll with the top teams.

Next Tournament: December 13, 2008 in Southfield, MI (Prep and Varsity Turnstone Flyers)

Over the weekend (November 8 & 9, 2008) the RHI Indy Brawlers (Quad Rugby) finished 2nd at the 6th Annual Steel City Slam (Pittsburgh) loosing only to 1 seed Michigan Storm. The two teams played twice with the Brawlers only loosing by 3 points in pool play and then again in the Championship game. The Brawlers moved up in the standings as they were ranked 3rd coming into this tournament.

Interesting Nugget: RHI Indy Brawlers finished 7th last season at this tournament…..Michigan Storm have won this tournament 4 of the past 5 season. Go to the follow link to see tourney scores from past seasons: http://quadrugby.com/27-28/schedules/pittsburgh.htm

As posted by: Kevin Hughes 

The Fort Wayne Bandit’s adult wheelchair basketball team won the Mid-American Conference Tourney in Strongsville, OH this past weekend (Oct. 25-26, 2008) as they went 5-0, defeating the Moraine Minutemen 64-55 (overtime) in the championship game. For tournament scores click here

Next tourney: Rock N Roll shootout in Cleveland where they’ll face last season D3 champs Hill on Wheels (Kentucky)

On Saturday, November 8, 2008 the Prep Turnstone Flyers will host their annual ‘Prep for the Future’ tourney to kick off the season with two rival opponents from Michigan: Grand Rapids Pacers and Sterling Heights Challengers. All three teams were nationally ranked last season. 

Key match-up: Challengers vs Flyers at 1:30pm. Last season the Flyers won 2 out of 3 games against the Challengers; however, at Prep Nationals the Challengers had the upper hand and finished 2nd while the Flyers finished 3rd in the Nation.

Also… The 4:30 pm Jr. Pacers vs Flyers is an intreging matchup. The two teams have a long history of playing in close games against each other. Don’t be supprise if the game goes into overtime.

All games will be played at

Turnstone Center for Children and Adults With Disabilities

3320 North Clinton Street - Fort Wayne, IN 46805

Click here for the complete schedule

On Saturday, November 15, 2008 teams from the Hoosier land (Fort Wayne, Indianapolis, Kokomo, and Muncie) will be competing in the Turnstone Power Soccer Challenge. 

Key match-up: The Fantastic Flyers vs RHI Storm at 1pm….the Fantastic Flyers defeated the Storm 2-1 at last year nationals in the second round.

Also… the Fearless Flyers vs Ball State Cardinals @ 3pm…  the Fantastic Flyers who finished as D-2 National Champions will have a tough battle against D-1 Ball State Cardinals.

All games will be played at

Turnstone Center for Children and Adults With Disabilities

3320 North Clinton Street - Fort Wayne, IN 46805

Click here for full schedule

Update on Sled Hockey…. Join the building efforts in creating the the first sled hockey team in Indiana.

Next practice is this Monday, November 3rd from 6:45 till 7:45pm. Click here for the complete schedule.

A hand full of the players will be traveling to Northwest Chicagoland December 5 - 7, 2008. For some of the athletes this will be there first tournament experience. 

On Friday, February 13, 2009 members of the Fort Wayne sled hockey group will play @ Memorial Coliseum during intermission of a Komets game.

That same weekend (February 14-15, 2008) McMillan Ice Arena, also know as the MAC, (3901 Abbott Street. Fort Wayne, IN 46806) is hosting ‘The First Annual Bob Chase Frostbite Sled Hockey Championship’. Click here for more info.

Click here to learn more about sled hockey

The Bandit’s kicked off their season with 2 wins over the new-look Moriane Minutemen.  

Vs Moraine Minutemen 48-36 W

Vs Moraine Minutemen 59-40 W

Upcoming! Bandits to Play in the Mid-American Wheelchair Basketball Conference Tournament on October 25-26 at the Strongsville Rec. Center, Srongsville, Ohio

2008-2009 Regular Season 

Oct. 25-26

MAWBC conference Tourney 1

Vs Columbus Buckeye Wheelers

Vs Moraine

Vs Cleveland

& Vs Lafayette!!!

Going to be an exciting day!

Below is the schedule of the Prep Wheelchair basketball team as of 08/28/08

September 6               Practice 9 till noon (parent meeting @ 10am)

October 4                     Practice 9 till noon

November 8                 Home Prep Tournament 

December 13              Jr. Michigan Thunderbirds Midwest Tournament (Southfield, MI)

December 20              Practice 2 - 5pm

January 2-4, 2009      Midwest Regional Qualifying Tournament (Whitewater, WI)

January 10                  Practice 9 till noon

January 24                 GLASA Claddagh Tournament (Chicago, IL)

January 31                 Practice 2-5pm

February 7 & 8          Windy City Warriors Tourney (Lake Park High School, Bloomingdale, IL)

February 21 & 22     The Midwest Conference Championship Tournament (Byron High School in Grand Rapids, MI)

March 7                       Practice 9 till noon

March 19 - 22             Varsity, JV, Prep National Championships Denver, CO  

Practice every Wednesday from 5:30 - 7:00pm except: September 3 (Turnstone golf outing), November 26 (Thanksgiving break), and December 24 (Christmas Eve).

Practice will be canceled any time Fort Wayne Community Schools is closed due to weather.

All practices are at Turnstone Center for Disabled Children & Adults.

Please take time and look over the schedule. If there’s a practice or tournament a player can’t attend please notify me ASAP. 

Reminder: There will be a parent meeting Sept. 6 starting at 10am. It’s important to have at least one adult (preferably one of the athlete parents) from every family be present as we’ll be going over details for the upcoming season

Saturday, August 30 Varsity Wheelchair basketball practice @ Turnstone from 9 - 2pm 

Wednesday, September 3 No Wheelchair basketball practice 

Saturday September 6 Prep Wheelchair basketball practice @ Turnstone 9 till noon (parent meeting @ 10am) 

July ‘08 ——————————————–
7 Bradford Woods All-Sports Camp
30-31 Youth Basketball Camp

September ‘08 ——————————-
13 Volunteer and Athlete Appreciation Dinner
October ‘08 ————————————
(TBD) Kids Discovery Sports Day

OTHER SPORTS EVENTS

-Adult Basketball
Open Gym
Date: Every Wednesday evening
Time: 7:00-9:00 p.m.
Location: Municipal Gardens
- Youth Basketball Team Practice
Practice will resume in the Fall

- Adult Basketball Team Practice
Team practice will resume in the Fall