Houston County Sharks Win 8th Consecutive AAASP/GHSA Wheelchair
Basketball State Championship
The Sharks forced an overtime to beat the Henry County Hurricanes in an exciting come from behind victory!
Atlanta, March 6, 2020. The Houston County Sharks fought their way back from a 17-6 halftime deficit against the Henry county Hurricanes to take their 8th consecutive American Association of Adapted Sports Programs (AAASP)/Georgia High School Association (GHSA) Wheelchair Basketball State Championship on Friday, March 6th at the Macon Coliseum. The game was one of the most exciting in the 23 year history of the Wheelchair Basketball Championships as the Sharks tied the game with one minute left in regulation play, and came up with a last second basket to win the game 23-22 in overtime.
"It was a thrilling game to watch, and this game showed how much hard work, effort, and perseverance all our athletes put into making this an exciting season,” said Bev Vaughn, Co-Founder and CEO, AAASP. “Our hope is that it will be an encouragement for our schools and school districts across the state to provide this opportunity to more kids.”
Students representing over 40 varying physical disability groups competed this year. The top teams in the JV and Varsity divisions competed last weekend for qualification. The Junior Varsity Championship Game was held Saturday, February 29, 2020, between the #1 seeded Muscogee Lions and the #2 seeded Houston County Jr. Sharks. The Muscogee Lions took the Junior Varsity State Title. The Varsity Semifinals were also held last weekend; Henry Hurricanes defeated the DeKalb Silver Streaks to make it to the Varsity Finals; Houston Sharks beat out the Gwinnett Heat to earn their spot.
Teams from the following school districts participated in the AAASP/GHSA adapted sport of wheelchair basketball this year, a dual governing alliance in the Varsity Division –Clayton Eagles, DeKalb Silver Streaks, Gwinnett Heat, Henry Hurricanes, and the Houston Sharks. The Houston Jr. Sharks and the Muscogee Lions competed in the Junior Varsity Division – Click here to view the AAASP #wheelchairbasketball schedule that led up to the finals.
GHSA formed the nation’s first dual governing alliance with the American Association of Adapted Sports Programs, Inc. (AAASP) in 2001 to pioneer efforts in school adapted athletic programs for students with physical disabilities. Through this alliance, GHSA recognizes AAASP as the governing and sanctioning body for adapted sports programs for Georgia’s schools. For more information on Wheelchair Basketball, for a copy of the rules, or how to start a team in your area, please log on to: http://adaptedsports.org . Schools or districts can learn more about becoming a member of AAASP by contacting us 404-294-0070 or the Georgia High School Association.
The American Association of Adapted Sports Programs (AAASP), headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia since 1996, has developed one of the nation’s most comprehensive school-based athletic programs for children with physical disabilities attending grades 1-12. Many prominent individuals and national organizations in the industry have recognized AAASP as the model for the nation. For more information about AAASP, please visit our website at www.adaptedsports.org or join our conversations on Facebook (American Association of Adapted Sports Programs), Twitter or Instagram at: @AdaptedSports.
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Contacts: Terri Grunduski, Grunduski Group – terri@grunduskigroup.com 404-226-7497
Donna Feazell, Grunduski Group – donna@grunduskigroup.com 404-290-1929
