Recently, the Patriot boys and girls basketball teams have been getting a lot of press, but another team has rolled into Parkway South.

Freshman Mia Balella and sophomore Josie Portell both play on the Rolling Rams, a part of the NWBA (National Wheelchair Basketball Association). Portell was a part of the team for a year before Balella came along–before that she was the only girl on an all-boys team. The girls said they have both created a stronger friendship because of the Rams and have never looked back since. 

“I started out with track and Josie introduced me to the team because she wanted another girl with her and a familiar face,” Balella said. 

These two have been on the same team for around eight years and have loved every second of it. They have familiar lives and understand what one another has to go through every day and the challenges that come with being in a wheelchair. 

“Having accessibility; this school is hard to get around but we manage, especially the bathrooms, those are the hardest part,” Balella said. 

Despite having to maneuver and face obstacles that most see as everyday simple tasks,  both of these girls have big and likely dreams for their future with the sport of wheelchair basketball.

Balella said she wants to play for either Alabama or Arizona in college, eventually leading to the Olympics for team USA, while Portell said she wants to play in college for Illinois. 

Despite both of them loving the sport, there are risk factors that come with it. Both girls have said they do get injured frequently and that it’s just a part of the sport. That’s only one of the many differences between the NBA and the NWBA. The game is different in many ways and that’s what makes the sport unique. Traveling is not a part of the sport and there is a lot more contact than traditional basketball. Injuries are a factor here too. 

“I’ve gotten injured so many times. My fingers got jammed, my arm got caught in someone’s chair before. That was probably one of my most significant injuries,” Balella said. 

Portell has also had her share of injuries.

“I’ve jammed some fingers and broken my wrist before and probably have gotten a concussion too, but that’s just a part of the game and what makes this sport its own,” Portell said. 

Portell and Balella are in the middle of their season right now and are accomplishing a lot. Their record right now is 10-10 with plenty more games to go. The Rams are currently ranked 14th in the country out of 53 teams. Portell and Balella love this game, but both said they have strengths and weaknesses on the court.

“I’m a leader on this team and want people to succeed, but I’m not as strong as everyone else out there,” Balella said. 

Portell commented on her weaknesses.

“Confidence is something I’ve struggled with throughout the years and I’m slowly getting better at that, also the pick and roll is by far my best part of my game. I love setting up my teammates and assisting them and watching them succeed, too,” Portell said. 

Both these girls agreed that they don’t want people feeling bad for them because they use a wheelchair. They don’t want people to think they are needy or weak. They also both mentioned how they don’t want people to view them differently just because they are in a wheelchair. All they ask for is respect just like everybody else.

“They think we need help all the time and can’t do anything for ourselves. They think we just focus on school and we want them to know that we live our lives the same way you live yours,” Balella said. “This sport gives us a chance to show that we can do sports too,” Balella said. 

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