Life and Independence for Today.
Pennsylvania Thunder & Lightning Wheelchair Basketball Team.
The Pennsylvania Thunder & Lightning Wheelchair Basketball Team originally started as The Allegheny Mountain Rollin' Thunder, which was organized in 1990 as a recreational outlet for people with disabilities. In 1992 we joined The National Wheelchair Basketball Association (NWBA) We Compete in the Keystone Conference which includes teams from :
Edinboro, PA. - The Rolling Scotts
Erie, PA. - Bay City Lightening
Johnstown, PA. - Flood City Rollers
Pittsburgh, PA. - Steel Wheelers
Buffalo, NY. - EPVA Rochester
Rochester, NY - Rochester Wheels
NY Youngstown, OH. - YMCA Hotwheels
Players on the team include:
Bobby "Awesome" Mecca
Jason " JR" Barenchick
Dave "Animal" Zuback
Where We Play
Conference games are played on Saturday's at 1:00 p.m. at the South St. Marys Street Elementary School Gym. The season begins in October and runs through January.
Tournament
Like college basketball the Keystone Conference holds a Conference Tournament. This is usually held in October.
Sponsors
The Allegheny Mountain Rollin' Thunder Wheelchair Basketball Team is sponsored, in part, by Life and Independence For Today. If you wish to become a sponsor call 1-800-341-5438.
Rules of the Game
Wheelchair Basketball is played by NCAA Rules, With a few exceptions.
A player is allowed two pushes between dribbles. After the second push the player must either dribble, pass, or shoot. A player can never use his/her legs to gain advantage over another player. This penalty is called Unfair Advantage. We are allowed 4 seconds in the KEY instead of 3. The wheelchair is considered part of a player's body. When shooting a three point or foul shot the front wheels of the wheelchair may be over the line, but the rear wheels must be behind the foul or three-point line. These are the basic rules of wheelchair basketball
Player Classification
Each player in the NWBA must be classified according to the degree of his/her disability.
Class 1, Quadriplegic, High level paraplegic. Class 2, Low Level paraplegic. Class 3 Amputee, low-level paraplegic with stomach muscles.
Want to Play?
We are always looking for new talent play on the team. So, If you have a physical disability that prevents you from playing regular basketball, then do we have a sport for you!!!
For more information about the National Wheelchair Basketball Association visit their web page at www.nwba.org
For further information about the Allegheny Mountain Rollin' Thunder Wheelchair Basketball Team, please contact LIFT at (814) 781-3050 or toll free (800) 341-LIFT (5438). Or email us at lift@liftcil.org.