2003 NWWBT at Warm Springs, GA


29TH NWWBT FINAL STANDINGS

1.    University of Illinois
2.    LA Sparks
3.    Minnesota Timberwolves
4.    Lady Texans
5.    Orlando Ice
6.    RIC Express
7.    University of Arizona   
8.    Atlanta Rolling Glory
9.    Kessler Knights ( Wash, DC)
10.  CAC Shooting Stars ( formerly Casa Colina)

Second All Tournament Team:
Renee Tyree Gross - Univ. of Arizona
Nipa Pandya - RIC Express
Sue Haddick - RIC Express
Chika Urmura - LA Sparks
Jennifer Warkins - Univ. of Illinois

First All Tournament Team
Jana Stump - Orlando Ice
Bao Yang - Arizona
Patty Cisneros - Univ. of Illinois
Danielle Peers - LA Sparks
Lorraine Lacy - Lady Texans

Most Valuable Player - tie
Stephanie Wheeler - University of Illinois
Chantel Benoit - LA Sparks

Most Improved Player
Bao Yang - University of Arizona

Timothy Vandermeiden Sportsmanship Award
Nipa Pandya - RIC

 

The RIC Express started off the 29th National Women’s Wheelchair Basketball tournament against the always dangerous Minnesota Rolling Timberwolves.  The Express put up a good fight but the Timberwolves 50% shooting percentage led them to a 49 -35 win.  Sue Haddick led the Express with 17 points.  Next the Express went up against a young Kessler Knights team.  Experience showed as Sue Haddick with 22 points and Nipa Pandya with 14 led the Express to a 47 – 38 win.  Against the Atlanta Rolling Glory, the Express showed a balanced attack with Shawna Culp scoring 10 points and 5 other players contributing to a 39 – 22 win.  The Express met the Lady Texans next.  The lead in the first half switched back and forth with the Lady Texans leading at half time 24 – 22.  Unfortunately the Lady Texans’ aggressive defense in the second half resulted in a 50 – 37 win over the Express.  Sue Haddick led the Express with 17 points and 3 other players had 6 points.  On the last day the Express met the Orlando Ice for 5th and 6th place.  The Express started strong against the Orlando Ice trailing by just one point at half time, 18 – 17.  A second half cold spell caused a defeat for the Express 49 – 24.  Sue Haddick was the top scorer with 15 points.  This loss left the Express in Sixth place, a respectable finish given the improvement in all of the teams.

            Sue Haddick and Nipa Pandya were selected to the Second All Tournament Team, a big accomplishment for a sixth place team.  Nipa Pandya was awarded the Timothy Vandermeiden Sportsmanship Award.   Nipa Pandya was also selected to 2003 USA Women’s National Team.

 

 

 

 

 

NIPA PANDYA

 

Nipa Pandya returned to the RIC Express this year after playing for the U of I while attending college.  Her aggressive defense and ball handling brought her notice at this years National Women’s Basketball Tournament.  She was selected Second Team All Tournament as well as being honored with the Timothy Vandermeiden Sportsmanship Award.  Following the National Tournament Nipa attended the tryouts for the 2003 USA National Women’s Team.  Competing against the best players Nipa was selected one of the 12 women to represent the USA in the 2003 Americas Zone Qualifier.