WAIS IASP athletes Justin Eveson and Shaun Norris have rekindled memories of their gold medal success at last year’s Paralympics by winning the wheelchair basketball Paralympic world cup final in Manchester.
The world cup was the first competitive hit out for the Rollers since their historic win in Beijing, and the Australians showed they have lost nothing in the months elapsed, finishing the tournament undefeated.
The Rollers defeated Germany by eleven points in the opening match, before outclassing hosts Great Britain in the second group match, led by the impressive Justin Eveson, who top scored with 29 points.
Australia proved it would be a worthy adversary for any side when it toppled arch rivals USA 70-58 to finish top of its group, with Eveson and Norris again instrumental.
The Rollers again faced Great Britain in the semi-final and it was again the Australians who prevailed, but not before a tense low scoring affair in front of a parochial home support in Manchester. The Aussie men kept form to edge the contest 45-38.
The final in contrast was a one sided affair with the Australian Rollers romping to a 21 point win (69-48) over the American outfit, with Australia having five players scoring more than eight points each, demonstrating the strength in depth within the Rollers squad.
Eveson recorded a double-double in the final, amassing 13 points and 14 rebounds for the match.
