CHARLOTTE ROLLIN’ BOBCATS HOLD SHOOT-A-THON

…. Caitlin McDermott, local 8th grader, a key team member

The 1st annual Charlotte Rollin’ Bobcats Hoopfest Shoot-A-Thon was a big success for the Prep and Junior Varsity Wheelchair Basketball Teams. Nine members of the Rollin’ Bobcats Junior teams shot nearly 4,000 baskets in 2 hours.  This fundraiser helped raise almost $10,000 for their upcoming season. This year the team will travel to six different tournaments in six states covering over 9,500 miles of travel between November 2006 and March 2007. 

The youth Rollin Bobcat teams are sponsored by Abilities Unlimited of the Carolinas (www.aucarolinas.org) and Turning POINT-Carolina (www.turningpointnation.org).  The mission of Abilities Unlimited is to create, develop and energize the human spirit for those individuals with physical disabilities through adaptive activities and enhancements in their able-bodied environment. 

The Charlotte Rollin Bobcats will begin their season at the Music City Hoopfest November 18, 2006 in Murfreesboro, TN.  The home tournament for the Rollin Bobcats this year will be Friday, December 9th-10th, 2006 at the Cabarrus County Boys & Girls Club in Concord, NC.  This home tournament will be a great showcase of the premier junior wheelchair basketball players in the country including the defending Varsity National Champion Lakeshore Lakers, the 9th Ranked Junior Varsity Lakeshore Stingers, the 3rd Ranked Prep Charlotte Rollin’ Bobcats and the 9th Ranked Prep Music City Thunder.

The Hoopfest Shoot-A-Thon is the primary fundraiser for the Rollin Bobcats Prep and J.V. teams as they raise money for travel expenses, sports wheelchairs and entry fees for the upcoming season. 

Jay M. Robinson Middle School student Caitlin McDermott is a key member of the team. Caitlin is 13 years old and was born with Spina Bifida (a neural tube birth defect.) With the encouragement of her parents Jim and Fran, and the leadership of her coach, Dave Kiley, Caitlin has overcome many obstacles.

“I want people to know that just because we're in wheelchairs, that doesn't mean we can't be competitive and exciting. Our team is third in the nation and we hope to better that this season.”

Caitlin’s favorite part of basketball is playing as a team and getting physical on the court. In addition to basketball, Caitlin also competes in wheelchair track and field and loves to snow ski in the winter.

The South Charlotte Sports Report wants to wish Caitlin and the Rollin’ Bobcats the Best of Luck this season!  We love your spirit and dedication!

TEAM ROSTER
Sean Burns                   Weddington Middle School
Jordan Chilton              Northwest Middle School
Julia Grace Collins        Clemmons Middle School
Brandon Cook             Boiling Springs High School
Timmy Field                 Bradley Middle School
Breanna Gates              Home school
Jon Godsey                  South Charlotte Middle School
Lindsey Good               Weddington Middle School
Mackenzie Hipp           Community House Middle School
Bethany Huntley           North Mecklenburg High School
Josh Locust                  Holbrook Middle School
Caitlin McDermott        Jay M. Robinson Middle School
Lindsey Metz                Home School
Jill Moore                     Northwest Cabarrus Middle School
Jacob Tyree                 Glenvar (VA) High School
Roody Withers Eastway Middle School