Wheelcats Win National Crown

WAIS IASP athletes Shaun Norris, Justin Eveson, Michael Hartnett and Clare Burzynski have helped the Perth Wheelcats to a fourth consecutive National Wheelchair Basketball Championship.

The Perth team – sporting four Paralympic medallists – were firm favourites for the title and during a first quarter barrage left few in any doubt why, with a dominant performance that left the home side leading the Wenty Leagues Wheelkings 28-6 at the first break.

Wheelcats Captain Justin Eveson led brilliantly from the front in the opening stages, with eight points, 11 rebounds, three assists, a block and a steal to give the Perth side a match winning advantage.

The Wheelkings to their credit, didn’t give in and made a contest of the final and managed to avoid a blowout with the final score reading 106-73 in favour of the all conquering Perth side.

Eveson was named finals MVP with an astounding 47 points, 23 rebounds and eight assists on the night. Shaun Norris contributed a significant threat hitting a triple double in the final with 30 points, 10 rebounds and 13 assists.

Fellow WAIS scholarship holders Michael Hartnett and Clare Burzynski both played a significant part in the Wheelcats success too, with Hartnett clocking 30 minutes of game time and Burzynski 16 minutes.

The result has seen the Perth Wheelcats crowned national champion for the last four years, with the first title coming back in 2006.