Quad Rugby/Story - Phoenix Edges Lakeshore in Double Overtime

UNITED STATES QUAD RUGBY ASSOCIATION

January, 2006

Phoenix Edges Lakeshore in Double Overtime to Win 10th annual Demolition Derby
Published Sunday, January 29, 2006
by Susan Katz

BIRMINGHAM, Ala.—The Phoenix Heat defeated the Lakeshore Demolition, 65-59, in double overtime to win the championship game of the 10th annual Demolition Derby wheelchair rugby tournament.

Given the battle waged by these two teams in Saturday’s pool play game, which Phoenix won by 3, it was evident this championship game would be a back and forth contest all the way. The Heat had a 1-goal lead at halftime and maintained it through to the end of the third quarter. Phoenix began the final period with a 40-39 advantage.

With less than 1 minute to go in the game, and Phoenix leading 52-51, strong defense from the Demolition forced a Heat turnover and an ensuing goal by Lakeshore’s Dan Buckingham tied the score at 52. On Phoenix’s next possession, tournament MVP Shinichi Shimakawa scored and gave the Heat a 53-52 lead, leaving less than 10 seconds on the clock for Lakeshore to score.

The Demolition inbounded the ball to Bryan Kirkland who took the ball the length of the court to tie the game, 53-53, forcing the game into overtime. Kirkland was Lakeshore’s leading scorer with 26 goals. Demolition head coach Kevin Orr said, “I thought we had the advantage going into overtime because of our bench and our depth. I was counting on our experienced players to be able to finish the game.”

One extra period was not enough for these teams, with the first overtime ending with a 58-58 tie. Phoenix won the tip-off in the second overtime and an immediate goal by Shimakawa, who led all players with 36 goals, gave the Heat a 59-58 lead. Lakeshore then made turnovers on 4 of its next 5 possessions giving Phoenix every opportunity it needed to pull away and seal the championship victory. The Heat went on to win the title, 65-59, in double overtime.

“We didn’t have a whole lot of juice going into this game today, we just got through it with mental toughness,” said Phoenix’s Scott Hogsett. “I’m so proud of my guys. We ran the gauntlet here these last 2 weeks and for us to win this is pretty remarkable.”

In the day’s earlier action, the Texas Stampede fended off the Canadian national team, 43-42, to earn third place. Texas and Canada mostly traded leads in this affair, with the game decided on the final possession. The Stampede was clinging to a 1-goal lead and a turnover by Texas gave the ball back to the Canadians with a mere 6 seconds left in the game. Canada had the chance to tie, but it could not covert on the final opportunity and the Stampede hung on to win third place.

“We are taking lots of positive steps and we have a lot we need to work on and become stronger at,” said Texas head coach James Gumbert. “Our biggest obstacle is finding ways to make great athletes into a great team.”

Results, Sunday - January 29
New Zealand 50, TNT 40 (7th/8th Place)
Great Britain 50, Denver 41 (5th/6th Place)
Texas 43, Canada 42 (3rd/4th Place)
Phoenix 65, Lakeshore 59 2OT (Championship Game)
Complete Results
Photos

Above article courtesy of the Lakeshore Foundation

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