The Mad City Wheelchair Basketball team returned to the gymnasium of Fennimore Middle/High School on Sunday, May 3, for a demo day and exhibition game.

The team, which held a similar event in 2023, includes two Fennimore students, Traeson Klais, a 13-year-old seventh grader, son of Natasha and Brett Klais, and Markus Gratz, an 18-year-old senior, son of Tim and Alison Gratz.

Also members of the team are Dempsey Bahl, a third grader from Lancaster Elementary School, and Abby Lendosky, a junior from Viroqua High School, with both having family in the Fennimore community.

Mad City Badgers Head Coach Amy Spangler introduced the players to the crowd on hand, and then gave a brief description on the team itself, the game used wheelchairs, their season schedule, and other general information on wheelchair basketball.

The team then gave demos on passing, defense, shooting, and other ins and outs of playing wheelchair basketball.

The team’s three graduating senior Mad City Badger players were also honored including Marcus who came out onto the court accompanied by his parents.

After a brief question and answer session, it was time to get into wheelchair basketball action as the Mad City Badgers, cheered on by the Fennimore Eagles Cheerleader team, who for that day traded in their maroon, gold, and white for red, black, and white and cheered for the Mad City Badgers, took on high school students from Fennimore, Boscobel, and Lancaster.

The Mad City Badgers dominated much of the first half, before the opposition, possibly get the feel of playing in a wheelchair, made it close to end the first half.

But the Mad City Badgers came out roaring the second half and came away with a 50-23 win in the exhibition game.

In addition to the demonstration and game, a basket raffle and 50/50 drawing was held with the proceeds going to support Mad City Badgers with tournament fees, equipment, facility fees, and transportation fees.

Additionally, the day was also to serve as raising awareness about wheelchair basketball and hopefully bring in some new recruits.

One common misconception about wheelchair basketball is that the players have to be in a wheelchair to participate, which is not the truth.

Anyone with a lower body disability can be eligible to play and be part of the team. Those who can walk, but have issues with muscle mobility or lower limb usage can be part of the team.

Mad City Badgers is also open to players in all surrounding areas.

A “wheelchair basketball open gym” is held once a week at the Memorial Building, here in Fennimore.

Those interested or want to learn more please can visit : www.madcitywheelchairhoops.com.