| SPORTS
| OCTOBER 28, 2005
Wheelchair Basketball
Movin’ Mavs rematch rivals
Now a seven-man team, the Mavs
hope new man, chemistry will lead to win.
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| The Shorthorn: Sara Bookout |
| Senior Michael Paye, left, and
junior Danny Fik play one-on-one during practice
Tuesday in the Physical Education Building. The Movin’
Mavs face Wisconsin-Whitewater at 7 tonight in Texas Hall.
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By Kevin
Bueker
The Shorthorn Sports Editor
Although many things have changed for the Movin’ Mavs wheelchair
basketball team since it left the court heartbroken in March, one
thing has remained the same.
The team renews its rivalry with Wisconsin-Whitewater at 7 tonight
in Texas Hall in a rematch of last year’s National Intercollegiate
Wheelchair Basketball Championship.
The game is one of five for the Mavs this weekend as they open their
2005-2006 season.
The Mavs will warm up with games against Oklahoma State and Oklahoma
today before the big rematch.
“This will be a good chance for us to play together and adjust
to actual game situations,” sophomore Aaron Gouge said.
He said the team will not overlook the weaker opponents but definitely
has its eyes set on avenging the 61-60 loss to the Warhawks.
“I feel we’re pretty even,” he said. “It
will be a good game.”
After having a dozen players on last year’s roster, Gouge
said this year’s seven-man team is tighter.
“We have good chemistry with the seven guys,” he said.
“I think that is something we lacked last year.”
The attrition of the team has also led to bigger and more clearly
defined roles, he said.
Coach Jim Hayes said the team lost players for a variety of reasons,
including health and academic concerns, but said he is excited about
the year.
“We’re much more focused and more mature than we were
a year ago,” he said. “The guys worked twice as hard
in practice. Everybody has improved.”
David Eng, Michael Paye and Danny Fik are returning starters for
the Mavs. Gouge and transfer David Gonzales have also stepped into
starting roles. Jason Russell, who rolled-on last year before earning
a scholarship, and Tyler Garner will come off the bench.
After being named to the all-American team last year, Eng and Paye
will anchor this year’s squad. Hayes said Fik and Gouge have
improved, and Gonzales should contribute right away.
“David is going to provide strength inside and good outside
shooting for us,” Hayes said. “He’s pushing Mikey
[Paye] to be the best shooter.“
Despite not having a lot of time to prepare for the season, the
Mavs are ready to get started.
Former players and a couple of Dallas Wheelchair Mavericks have
joined the team for practice, but with only seven players, the Mavs
are having a hard time putting together game-like conditions.
Gouge said the team has seen a few things in practice it needs to
improve on.
“Defensively, we’re weaker than I’d like us to
be,” he said. “With three returning and two new guys,
it’s more about learning to trust each other and knowing they’re
going to be there for you.”
CORRECTION
In this story, the name of wheelchair basketball
player Jay Russell was incorrect.
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GAME TIMES FOR
MOVIN' MAVS
Friday:
3 p.m. vs. Oklahoma
State in Physical
Education Building
5 p.m. vs. Oklahoma in
Activities Building
7 p.m. vs. Wisconsin-
Whitewater in Texas
Hall
Saturday:
3 p.m. vs. Arizona in
Activities Building
7 p.m. vs. Illinois in
Texas Hall
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| GAME
TIMES FOR
OTHER TOURNAMENT PLAY
Friday:
10 a.m. Illinois vs. Oklahoma State
in P.E. Bldg.
1 p.m. Wisc.-Whitewater vs. Arizona in P.E. Bldg.
1 p.m. Illinois vs. OSU in Activities Bldg.
3 p.m. Oklahoma vs. Whitewater in Activities Bldg.
5 p.m. Illinois vs. Arizona in P.E. Bldg.
Saturday:
10 a.m. Arizona vs. Whitewater in P.E. Bldg.
1 p.m. Illinois vs. Arizona in P.E. Bldg
1 p.m. Whitewater vs. OU in Activities Bldg
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