The players on the Marine Corps Wheelchair basketball team for the 2012 Warrior Games maneuver their wheelchairs around the court with ease and agility. They pass, dribble, block, shoot and score, all while maintaining control of their chairs. These Marines, despite their injuries have formed a bond like none other and work like a seamless unit as they prepare to take down the competition this year.
Each team participating in the Warrior Games this year can have a maximum of 12 players and will play a double elimination bracket format. The teams are seeded on the results of the 2011 Warrior Games, with the Army and Marine Corps as the top two seeded teams. Each game consists of two 20-minute halves with a running clock until the last three minutes of each half. In wheelchair basketball, players are only required to dribble once for every two pushes of their chair.
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Marines with the Wounded Warrior Regiment practice wheelchair basketball during practice for the 2012 Warrior Games at Colorado Springs, Colo., April 24. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Aaron Hostutler)
Lance Cpl. Zach Blaire, native of Tipp City, Ohio, goes for the jump ball over a member of the 2012 Wounded Warrior Games staff during a scrimage in preparation for the 2012 Warrior Games in Colorado Springs, Colo., April 26. The Marines team, which placed second last year, is looking to defeat the number one seeded Army this year. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Chelsea Flowers)
The All-Marine wheelchair basketball team listens to their coaches before a staff versus team scrimmage during practice for the 2012 Warrior Games at Fort Carson Colorado Springs, Colo., April 26. The Marine wheelchair basketball team placed second in last year's Games and are looking to replace the Army as this year's gold medal champions. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Chelsea Flowers)
Cpl. Josue Barron, native of Echo Park, Los Angeles, brings the ball up for a layup during a scrimage in preparation for the 2012 Warrior Games in Colorado Springs, Colo., April 26. The Marines team is the number two seeded team in this year's Games, with Army as the top seed. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Daniel Wetzel)
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