Things just keep getting better..
by Bill Renje & Terry Vinyard

There's a widely held notion in the sports world that dynasty's crumble overnight. The reasons vary from injury, to age, to an overall lack of hunger and desire. One year a team is on top, the next, they are no longer the team to beat. Going into the 1999 Conveen/Invacare International Tournament hosted by Tampa General 's Wheelchair Sports Department on January 22-24, Sharp Shadow was a heavy underdog for the first time since they began their run as three-time defending USQRA champions. Something, whether it was motivation or desire, appeared to be missing from the once unstoppable Shadow attack.

The Lakeshore (Alabama) Demolition, on the other hand, had become the team to beat. With the off-season pick-ups of Wayne Romero, Eddie Crouch, and Bob Lujano added to a team that finished second in the country last year, Lakeshore established itself as the top contender to Shadow's throne. Two victories in a row over Shadow to begin the season, including a seven-goal thrashing in the title game of the Houston Tournament, positioned the hungry Demolition as early season favorites. It almost appeared inevitable that Lakeshore would join the 1992-93 Tampa Generals and Shadow's 1996-97 squad in becoming only the third team in USQRA history to go undefeated. A key intangible on Lakeshore's side may be history. Every team to appear in a USQRA national title game has won at least one championship.

If one thing became obvious by nightfall Sunday, it was this; the Shadows cast by the setting sun were not darkening Sharp's dynasty, not just yet anyhow......

Both teams advanced rather easily throughout the 12-team field to the semifinals. Shadow disposed of the third-seeded TIRR (Houston) Hurricanes 56-41. The 'Canes were dealt a serious blow when Steve Kearly was bumped up to a class 2 following a protest of his 1.5 classification. After Kearly, who played six highly competitive years as a 2.0, won a protest to become a 1.5 at the 1998 Nationals, the Hurricanes successfully recruited highly regarded 2.5 Curtis Palmer, a member of New Zealand's National Team. This gave Houston a powerful starting line-up with 3.5 Brad Updegrove and .5 Rob Crows to go along with Palmer and Kearly. Houston appeared to have all the pieces in place, but the Kearly protest took arguably the fastest player in the world in Brad Updegrove, and the fastest line-up, off the court.

In the other semifinal, Lakeshore avoided a major upset by holding off the overlooked, but fourth-seeded Tampa Generals, 31 -28. The Generals were thought by many to be done as a contender after finishing fifth in the Houston Tournament a month earlier, which ended a run of consecutive semifinal appearances dating back to 1991. The return of 2.0 Darren Ransome from Great Britain, coupled with the rapid development of 3.0 Max Stroblmair from Austria have blended well with the tandem of Joe Soares and David Gould, giving the squad an element of speed and power that has been lacking the last couple of years.

Before the championship game, Tampa and Houston squared off in the third-fourth-place game. The 'Canes were looking to overcome years of frustration by getting over the Tampa hump, which must seem larger than Mt. Everest. Even though the two teams have had some intense wars over the years, the 'Canes have never been able to beat the Generals. This tournament would be no exception with Tampa using a ziploc key defense to stifle Houston's half-court attack, while shredding the press to take control early on its way to a, 31- 28victory.

The stage was now set for another installment of Lakeshore vs. Shadow. These two giants have now met in five straight finals when both teams have competed in the same tournament. From the beginning, Shadow tried to set the tone. In the game's opening seconds, Rick Draney drilled Brian Kirkland at the goal line for a leaning turnover. Kirkland, coincidentally, put Draney out of the game in Houston with a devastating hit. Lakeshore, however, looked like it would carry over its dominance as it took a 15-12 lead early in the second quarter. Shadow quickly regained control cutting the deficit to 15-14. Both teams traded heavy hits, along with goals deep into the game. With a little over four minutes left and the score tied, both coaches positioned themselves for the stretch run. Shadow coach Reggie Richner went with his best line-up of Draney, Mike Wyatt, Dean MaCabe, and Dan Guillou. Kevin Orr, meanwhile, countered with Lakeshore's most potent line-up of Romero, Kirkland, Cliff Chunn, and Crouch.

The Demolition quickly took control as Shadow struggled to inbound the ball. Chunn caused two successive turnovers; Lakeshore converted both to take a two-goal lead. With the ball, a two-goal lead, and just over two minutes left, the Demolition appeared ready to reaffirm its number one ranking. All-Tournament 2.5 MaCabe, however, made what might have been the play of the game, stripping Kirkland of the ball, and going the other way for the score. Now it was Shadow's turn to apply the defensive pressure, forcing another turnover in the final minute, as Willard Brooks was called for a 10-second no dribble call while trying to break a fierce press. Sharp tied the game, which went into overtime.

The overtime period might as well have been the first quarter as far as the intensity was concerned. Both teams traded blows, with 'Bama having an opportunity to finally win the game after Shadow tied the score with a little over 20 seconds remaining. Shadow forced a turnover, however, and called a timeout with 14 seconds remaining. The Demolition would not cave in though, denying Shadow's last possession and forcing a second overtime. Shadow finally took control, asserting itself with the composure of a champion by going up by a goal with under a minute. After a Romero goal tied the score once again, Shadow was poised to run the clock for the last goal. A furious 'Bama press caused Shadow to score prematurely, but they had the lead with :16 seconds left and, at worst, would go to a third overtime. The game would never get that far, however, as MaCabe blocked a last second in-bound pass from the sideline to give Shadow a 44-43 double overtime victory, and in all likelihood the number one seed heading into Nationals.

Rounding out the top 8-- The disciplined Texas Stampede led by hard hitting Paul Leefe trampled a stubborn Tampa II, 33-25 in the 5th/6th place game. While, the Arizona Heat held off the relentless Casa Colina Buccaneers 43-42 in the 7th/8th place game. The Heat's overtime win salvaged a disappointing tournament. At times they lived up to the game that they and many others spoke of. In the quarterfinals they pushed the Generals to the wire. After a tough one -point loss to Tampa, they were chilled by the Stampede who were the tournament over achievers. They went from a 9th seed to 5th place honors.

The Tournaments success can be attributed to it's fine sponsors: Coloplast/Conveen Uerologicals, Invacare, Zanaflex, Tampa General's Wheelchair Sports, Vantage Mini-Vans, McDonald's, Cappy's, and the Volunteers.

Look for this story, expanded version in April's Quad Rugby Today and May's Sports N Spokes.