Adaptive Sports Ohio’s Junior Cavaliers Win National Invitational Championship
Adaptive Sports Ohio’s Junior Cavaliers competed in the National Wheelchair Basketball Association’s (NWBA) National Invitational Tournament (NIT) March 20-22, 2026, at West Monroe Sports & Events Center in West Monroe, Louisiana.
Ranked as the No. 2 seed, the Junior Cavaliers defeated the No. 15 seed Fresno Wheelers in the first round and the No. 10 seed Mad City Badgers in the quarterfinals on Friday, March 20. Saturday, the Junior Cavaliers defeated the No. 3 seed Jr. Road Warriors in the semifinal to advance to the Championship Game on Sunday morning against the No. 4 seed SAAS Jr. Wildcats. The Cavaliers claimed their first national title defeating the Wildcats by a score of 43-38.
Head Coach Brett Followay led the team in his first year as club coach, bringing more than 11 years of experience in interscholastic wheelchair basketball. Assistant Coaches for the team are Ryan Zolnier and Madyson Followay.
Coach Followay said, “It was an honor to coach this group of talented athletes. I am very proud of how the team came together over the season. They demonstrated unity and selflessness throughout the tournament. This, coupled with the team’s great chemistry and work ethic, lead them to victory. It is a significant accomplishment to bring the team’s first NWBA Junior Championship back home to Cleveland.”
TaShaun Myers earned the Championship Game MVP with a double-double, 16 points and 16 rebounds. Zayne Hammoudeh added 15 points and 12 rebounds to help the team secure the title. Holden Schwamberger added 8 points and 3 rebounds. Elena Knowles had 4 points and 8 rebounds, and was named to the NIT Female All-Tournament Team.
Full tournament results:
- Game 1, First Round: Friday, March 20 vs. Fresno Wheelers (#15), 73-32
- Game 2, Quarterfinal: Friday, March 20 vs. Mad City Badgers (#10), 61-21
- Game 3, Semifinal:Saturday, March 21 vs Jr. Road Warriors (#3), 58-46
- Game 4, Championship; Sunday, March 22 vs SAAS Jr. Wildcats (#4), 43-38
Over the course of the tournament, Hammoudeh was the lead scorer with 74 pts, including 11 3-pointers, followed by Myers with 68 pts, Schwamberger with 60 pts, Knowles with 27 pts, and Will Simons with 5 pts.
Supported by The Cavaliers Community Foundation, the Junior Cavaliers were founded in 2010 and operated under the Achievement Centers for Children until 2022. Since then, Adaptive Sports Ohio has managed the Junior Cavaliers Wheelchair Basketball Team, the only club level youth wheelchair basketball team in Northeast Ohio. The program is open to youth with physical disabilities.
Full NIT Team Roster: TaShaun Myers, Zayne Hammoudeh, Elena Knowles, Holden Schwamberger, Will Simons, Dawson Simons, and Celeste Hayes
About NWBA:
The National Wheelchair Basketball Association is the longest standing and largest disabled sports organization in the world. It was founded in 1949 to provide individuals with physical disabilities the opportunity to play and learn wheelchair basketball. The NWBA is currently in 42 states with nearly 3,000 members and 225-plus teams.
About NWBA Junior Division Nationals:
The NWBA had 63 Junior Teams and 50 Prep Teams registered for the 2025-2026 season. The top 32 ranked Varsity teams qualified for postseason play. The top 16 teams competed in the Varsity National Championship, while the remaining 16 teams participated in the Varsity Invitational Championship. For more information, visit NWBA.org/nationals
About Adaptive Sports Ohio:
Adaptive Sports Ohio is a nonprofit organization providing adults and youth with physical disabilities a chance to play sports. Adaptive Sports Ohio offers community-based and interscholastic sports across the state. For more information about programs, volunteer opportunities or becoming a community investor, visit adaptivesportsohio.org, email info@adaptivesportsohio.org or call 330-601-1400.
About The Cavaliers Community Foundation:
Established in 1993, The Cavaliers Community Foundation (CCF) is the official 501 (c) 3 nonprofit organization affiliated with the Cleveland Cavaliers and has given over $26 million to local non-profit organizations. The Foundation invests in organizations that are dedicated to improving outcomes for at-risk youth in northeast Ohio. Through strategic partnerships and financial grants, the Foundation has a meaningful impact in four key areas: education, food security, wellness and recreation and creating safe spaces.