Jr. Rolling Timberwolves finish season as runner-up at Nationals

by Beth Kraft

Local wheelchair basketball player Collin Evans and his team, the Junior Rolling Timberwolves, made another national title run this year—and came very close to a championship repeat.

Evans, a Mondovi High School junior, and the T’Wolves headed down to Louisville, Kentucky, as the No. 2 seed in their division for the National Wheelchair Basketball Association’s 2015 national tournament April 16-19 and left in the same position.

After moving through the varsity division’s tournament field with three convincing victories by margins of 17 points or more, the Junior Rolling Timberwolves faced off against Houston in the championship game on Saturday, April 18. While the T’Wolves couldn’t overcome the tough Houston squad, falling 73-49 to take second place, there was more to come for Evans.

For his efforts on the hardwood, Evans was named the MVP of the varsity division and received second team High School Academic All-American recognition.

Prior to the championship game, the T’Wolves took out Missouri and Seattle in two opening round games on Thursday, April 16, with scores of 54-23 and 45-28, respectively, then defeated Nebraska 57-40 on Friday, April 17, to move on to the championship game.

Evans and his team brought home the national title from the 2014 NWBA tournament after being ranked No. 1 all season.

This year marked the seventh time Evans has competed at Nationals with a team from the Courage Center, a non-profit rehabilitation resource center located in the Twin Cities area. The squad plays wheelchair basketball teams from all over the country at several tournaments each season.

The Junior Rolling Timberwolves are a co-ed team for youths ages 13-18.

Collin is the son of Rob and Dawn Evans of Mondovi.