Courage Center Wheelchair Basketball Team Wins Third Consecutive National Title

MINNEAPOLIS, April 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Courage Center's Jr. Rolling Timberwolves basketball team won the team's third consecutive national wheelchair basketball title in the Varsity Division. These talented youth athletes competed at the 2010 National Wheelchair Basketball Association (NWBA) National Championships in Denver, Colo., April 7-10.

The Jr. Rolling T-Wolves became the first team in NWBA Varsity Division history to "three-peat" after knocking off the Rancho Renegades from California, 70-32 in a battle of No. 1 and No. 2 seeds.

"This is such a great group of kids," said Mike Bauler of Minneapolis, head coach of the Jr. Rolling Timberwolves. "They are best friends on and off the court. These kids practice 10-12 hours a week together and countless hours on their own. Their hard work and the support of Courage Center is the secret of our success, no question."

New Brighton resident Robby Wilhelm led all scorers in the championship game with 32 points. Joe Dixon of Lakeville pitched in 17 for the Jr. Rolling T-Wolves. Courage Center sent three other teams to the NWBA tournament. Courage Center's Rolling Rowdies finished 4th in the Prep Division (ages 6-12). Other highlights from the tournament include:

• Robbie Wilhelm – MVP, Varsity Division Championship Game and Tournament MVP
• Robbie Wilhelm and Derrick Bisnett, named to the 1st Team All-Tournament Team
• Joe Dixion, named to the 2nd Team All-Tournament Team
• Rose Hollerman, named to the Girl's All-Tournament Team

In addition, seven players from the Rolling T-Wolves and Rolling Rowdies were named to the NWBA's Northern Division All-Academic Team. Players include:

• Derrick Bisnett, Bismarck, N.D., Jr. Rolling Timberwolves
• Mark Braun, Mounds View, Minn., Jr. Rolling Timberwolves
• Sabrina Braun, Mounds View, Minn., Rolling Rowdies
• Abby Donkers, Farmington, Minn., Rolling Rowdies
• Joe Dixon, Lakeville, Minn., Jr. Rolling Timberwolves
• Jonathan Laing, Lakeville, Minn., Rolling Rowdies
• Dan Kosanda, Maple Grove, Minn., Rolling Rowdies

Members of Courage Center's 2009-10 Jr. Rolling Timberwolves team are:

• Derrick Bisnett, Bismarck, N.D., a junior at Century High School
• Jon Bluem, Eden Prairie, Minn., a senior at Eden Prairie High School
• Thomas Bowlin, Eagan, Minn., a senior at Eagan High School
• Luke Braun, of Mounds View, a sophomore at Irondale High School
• Mark Braun of Mounds View, Minn., a sophomore at Irondale High School
• Joe Dixon of Lakeville, Minn., a junior at Lakeville North
• Robert Doyle, Eden Prairie, Minn., a junior at Eden Prairie High School
• Rose Hollerman, of Elysian, Minn., an 8th grader at Waterville-Elysian-Morristown School
• Guthrie Lindquist of Mankato, Minn., a sophomore at Mankato West High School
• Josh Scanlon of Delano, Minn., a senior at Watertown-Mayer High School
• Robbie Wilhelm of New Brighton, Minn., a senior at Irondale High School

About Courage Center:   Courage Center is a nonprofit rehabilitation and resource center that advances the lives of children and adults experiencing barriers to health and independence. At Courage Center, we specialize in treating brain injury, spinal cord injury, stroke, chronic pain, autism, and disabilities experienced since birth. Founded in 1928, Minneapolis-based Courage Center offers advanced technologies and innovation provided in part through the efforts of thousands of volunteers and donors. For more information visit CourageCenter.org.

SOURCE Courage Center