ActiveAdaptive.com

Academically the Turnstone Flyers (wheelchair basketball) athletes have done quite well as in the past 7 years as 16 of our graduating seniors went on to college —- still working on posting more pictures and adding to each bio. If there’s anything you’d like to add please send them to… activeadaptive@gmail.com

2002-2003:

Josh Dirig – Wabash College

Josh was one of the stars on the Flyers team for years. Every year he was an Academic All-American, and a potential All-Star. At the National Tournament in 2003 Josh was a solid #2 scorer by averaging 10.5 points per game. Josh also led with the typical aggressiveness by fouling 12 times in the 4 games, but you will take that kind of tenacity if it comes with the all around skill Josh had. His game high was in the final game vs. the Windy City Warriors where he led the team with 16 points.

For the season, Josh finished 2nd on the team in scoring with 254 points. His best two games were his final two games of the regular season at the Midwest Conference Tournament where he scored 23 points vs. the Grand Rapids Pacers and 22 points vs. the Windy City Warriors.

In 2006 Josh graduated from Wabash College after majoring in Spanish and minoring in History. After college, Josh came back to his roots and helped lead the Prep Turnstone Flyers wheelchair basketball team (2007-2008) to a 3rd place finish at nationals as the assistant coach. Professionally, Josh is currently works in retail and has expressed interest in becoming a teacher at the high school level. With the extreme intelligence that Josh has, we can’t wait to see how he progresses in life. 

Zack Sikora – University of Arizona

In Zack’s final season he finished 3rd on the Flyers in scoring with 148 points. Not bad considering he only played in 11 games during the regular season. During the weekends when Zack didn’t play basketball he was competing nationally in wheelchair tennis including 2003 Invacare World Team Cup (in Sopot, Poland). Zack’s best weekend was when the Flyers needed him the most. January 17 & 18, 2003 at the PhiladelphiaRegional Zack was on the top of his game. In the first game he scored 18 vs. Katies Komets. In the second game he led with 23 points. Then in the championship game he finished with 10 points.

At Nationals Zack averaged 6.75 points per game. His tournament highlight was in game 1 vs. the Minnesota Timberwolves where he scored 14 points and shot 86%. This cemented his place in all wheelchair sports as not just the third ranked wheelchair tennis player in the world, but as one of the best big men around on the hardwood too.

After High School Zack attended the University of Arizona where he also competed on their wheelchair tennis. Zack finished up his schooling at Write State studying Middle Childhood Education & Spanish. After college Zack moved to Dayton, Ohio and is currently making a living as a car electronics expert and spanish translator.  

While getting established in his career Zack also started to play wheelchair basketball again. In the 2007-2008 season he played for the DIII Moraine Minutemen. Zack lead the Minutemen to a 6th place finish at D3 Nationals, led the team in scoring by averaging 12.5 PPG, and earned 2nd Team All Tournament honors.

The 2008-2009 season Zack continued to compete in wheelchair basketball as he moved up to the much tougher Championship Division (formerly DI & DII) where he played for the Ohio Rolling Hoopstars. The Hoopstars finished 2nd at the Buckeye Paralyzed Veterans Association Cup (BPVA) – November 8-9, 2009 where Zack earned MVP honors. The Hoopstars finished the season at the Midwest Regional (February 27 – March 1, 2009) in Grand Rapids, MI – Zack earned the Sportsmanship award as the Hoopstars finished 17th in the top mens wheelchair basketball division. Kudos to Zack for all his hard work.

Nathan Silvers – Edinboro University

In Nate’s final season he led the Flyers in scoring with 594 points (18 PPG). At nationals he continued to dominate by averaging over 24 points per game with a 58% shooting percentage and leading the team to a 6th place finish. Nate was widely seen as one of the best centers in the country. He cemented his name in Flyers history as becoming the best “pure shooter” on the team, if not in the Midwest.

“Big Nasty” Nate went to IPFW his first year and played division III basketball locally for the Bandits then the following school year (2003-2004) Nate attended Edinboro UniversityFighting Scots (EUF) and studied computers and played basketball. Nate is currently back in his hometown of Leo, IN playing basketball for the Bandits again helping lead the team to three streight Mid-American Wheelchair Basketball Conference Championships (2007, 2008, 2009). The Bandits finished all three of these season 3rd at Division III Nationals. 

Kevin Hughes – International Business College

Kevin lead the Flyers as a tough, unselfish point guard that was always in command when the game was on the line. Kevin naturally became the floor general that understood his teammates inside and out. He routinely played 40 minutes per game as his presence helped all Flyers play to their maximum potential.

In Kevin’s final year he finish 4th on the team in scoring with 139 points. His regular season game high was 10 points. He reached this mark three times. However, the game that counted the most was in the Championship game at the Philadelphia Regional vs. Variety Village. The flyers won 53-41. This was the Flyers first Regional Championship. At Nationals in Kevin’s final year he dropped in 8 points in the 1st round against big rival Minnesota Timberwolves and average just over 5 points/game in the remaining games.

Quirky Stat: Everyone will remember Kevin as the guy who sunk three consecutive threes in a matter of 30 seconds at a tournament game in Grand Rapids, MI.

Kevin graduated from International Business College with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. While Kevin was still in college he established the Prep Turnstone Flyers.   He is molding all his players to be “the next general Hughes,” and coach Burnsworth loves it.

Professionally from April of 2006 through December 2009 Kevin was the Youth Services Coordinator at the League for the Blind and Disabled, Inc. Currently, Kevin is the Sports and Recreation Coordinator for Turnstone. Kevin continues to coach the Prep Flyers and youth sled hockey team while also playing tennis in the summer and hockey in the winter.

2003-2004:

Brian Nay – Oklahoma State University

Brian was a great inside man for the Rolling Rebels, and he matured into a great all around player for the Flyers. He could beat the competition numerous ways, so they always had to be on their toes when defending him. He was also a monster on the defensive end. Nobody ever wanted to cross him on the court.

Brian continued to play basketball at Oklahoma State University while also earning his B.A. in print Journalism and a minor in English in May of 2008. Now back home (fall of 2009) Brian is giving back tot he community coaching the Hammond Rollin’ Hoosiers while starting the season 6-0 and wining the Rockford Holiday Tournament (Dec. 12 & 13, 2009).  Brian is currently working on his first book. Stay tuned.

Kevin Showalter - IPFW

Some called him the “heart of the team,” some called him the “Johnny Stockton of wheelchair ball,” either way Kevin was the vocal leader of the Turnstone Flyers. Kevin wasn’t the typical basketball player, but when he came off the bench, he provided the heart and leadership that it takes to be a solid player. Though Kevin only had 8 assists, 5 steals, and 1 rebound in his career, what he brought to the team was priceless, attitude.

Kevin finished his education at Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne in 2008 with a Bachelors degree in Music (with a concentration on Vocal Performance) and an Outside Field of Professional Writing. While at IPFW Kevin was an active member in both the University and Chamber Singers chorale ensembles. In the Fall of 2006 Kevin toured with I.P.F.W.’s University Singers and performed in Washington D.C., New York City, and Lansing, Michigan. Kevin is working on his . Maybe someday he’ll hit the big time!

Kevin Kohn – Southwest Minnesota State University

Kevin was one of the top players off the bench for the Flyers. His fluid shot, and vocal leadership made him an asset no team could do without. He was also one of Turnstone’s “big men” on the court. So coach could set him down low on the block for a nice easy lay-up, or set him up on the elbow for a nice screen from 15. Either way you could count on Kevin to deliver some points.

Kevin, currently a Senior at Southwest Minnesota State University, is majoring in tv/radio productions, and even hosts his own radio show on campus. That comes as no surprise to his teammates and coaches. Kevin still plays basketball for SMSU and has become their sixth man. Kevin is continuing to strive for independence and working towards a promising future.

2004-2005:

Caleb Brown – Edinboro University (currently attends Indiana Tech)

In 2002-2003 Caleb was named to the Midwest ConferenceAll-Tournament Team, and he finished the season 5th on the Flyers with 101 points. Caleb had the most hustle, and the most heart on the team. In fact, you would be hard pressed to find anybody in the country that would sacrifice themselves for their team as much as Caleb did. From crashing into walls trying to save a ball to busting open his chin going for a rebound, there was nothing he wouldn’t do.

Caleb played a year of wheelchair basketball at Edinboro University in Pennsylvania before deciding to come back closer to home. Right now Caleb has grace Ft. Wayne with his presence again as he attends Indiana Tech and is the assistant coach for the Varsity Turnstone Flyers.

Chris Staarman – University of Dayton

Another sharpshooter for the Flyers, Chris had a shooting form that would even make the pros jealous. A solid scorer off the bench, he always exuded poise and defensive skill when he was on the floor. Chris joined the Flyers after a meet and greet with “Hollywood” while attending Coach Frogley’s basketball camp at the University of Illinois.

Professionally Chris is a clerk in Butler County’s Clerk of Courts office and plays sled hockey for the  Cincinnati (Icebreakers)

2005-2006:

Evan Moser – University of Missouri

Evan was the cornerstone of the Turnstone Flyers team since the organization began. A monster off the bench, no one could match skills and wits with Evan when it came to his home inside the paint. When he didn’t make a start, he was always a perennial Sixth Man of the Year candidate.

Currently a Junior at the University of Missouri, Evan is brilliantly juggling his academics and his exuberant play on the hardwood for the Tigers’ wheelchair basketball team. Evan is majoring in Political Science/Pre-Law, all the while tickling the twine with his patented shot. After he gets his Bachelors, he’s planning on attending a no doubt prestigious law school. Any university would be lucky to have him. Kudos Evan!

Andrew Tucker – University of Missouri

Andrew, also at the University of Missouri, was one of the most pure shooters ever to don the blue and gold. There was no where on the floor that Andrew couldn’t drain a shot from. He could mark up from the three-point line and drill it with uncanny consistence, or he could drive it inside to the hole. Either way there was a good chance he would burn the competition.

Andrew, like Evan, is playing wheelchair basketball for the Tigers, and with the caliber of these two, that team should be phenomenal. Andrew spends most his time in his studies these days to secure a Computer Science degree, but still finds time to push for about 3-4 miles on the track daily, and about 6 miles of cardio a week. After college Andrew wants to continue his basketball career and see where life takes him. We all know it will be somewhere fantastic!

2006-2007:

Noah Yablong – University of Arizona.

2007-2008:

Jared Arambula University of Alabama & Daniel Henson Edinboro University

2008-2009:

Kevin Weingartner — Butler University; and Devin Gilliam — Plans to attend IPFW

More about Turnstone Flyers wheelchair basketball team (click here)