Coastal Adaptive Sports proudly sponsors The Coastal Chairmen - a local wheelchair basketball team in the North Myrtle Beach area. While wheelchair basketball is fun for all involved, the team members of the Coastal Chairmen definitely mean business when it comes to trying to win each game they play.

Jesse Lind is the director of wheelchair basketball for Coastal Adaptive Sports and the team captain for the Coastal Chairmen. In an interview, Jesse was asked some questions about the local wheelchair basketball league and the Coastal Chairmen.

Who are the Coastal Chairmen and how long have they been a team?

Jesse: The Coastal Chairmen are in their second year of existence. We have players ranging from age 17-66 with varying disabilities and backgrounds. We have 10 dedicated players. 6 of which are disabled Veterans. Our players live all over the surrounding areas- Wilmington, NC to Myrtle Beach, SC. We compete in the Carolina conference (division 3) of the National Wheelchair Basketball Association. We play teams from Fayetteville, Raleigh, Charlotte, Winston, Greensboro, Columbia, Spartanburg and Charleston.

I heard the Coastal Chairmen are on a winning streak right now, can you tell us a little about their success?

Jesse: The Chairmen are 11-1 as of today's date. We are one of the top teams in our conference. We have extremely good team chemistry. Our players seem to genuinely like, respect and enjoy each other. We have 4 savvy veteran players who have played wheelchair basketball for 20+ years. They take pride in teaching the fundamentals of the game to our newer players. We all love the game and thoroughly enjoy competing. We strive to improve every single week and it is translating into success on the court.

Who can try out for the Coastal Chairmen?

Jesse: Wheelchair basketball is open to anyone from our surrounding areas that have varying physical disabilities that disqualify them from playing an able-bodied sport. Examples include spina bifida, birth defects, cerebral palsy, paralysis, amputations (of the legs, or other lower extremities), and a few other disabilities. 

For more information about player eligibility, visit the National Wheelchair Basketball Association’s official website. 

Where can spectators watch a Coastal Chairmen game?

Jesse: Our game schedule can be found on CoastalAdaptiveSports.org and/or our Facebook page. We split home games into two different locations to accommodate our players. We play half of our home games at St. James Parish. 25 S. 3rd St. Wilmington, NC 28401. The other half are played at North Myrtle Beach Aquatic & Fitness Center. 1100 Second Avenue South, North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582. Games are always on a Saturday. Season typically runs from Sept- March. We always play double headers. Back to back games. Starting time is at 1pm, second game is 2:30(ish). Usually raps up by 4pm. Games are free to the public and the team would love the support of the community. This year we will play 24 games (12 double headers) as well as the conference Championship. 6 away games. 3 'home' games in Wilmington and 3 home games in NMB. The conference Championship will be held in Charleston, SC this year. Bracket format. 8 teams from our conference will be there to compete for the championship

What are some things that audiences who aren’t familiar with wheelchair basketball should know about the sport?

Jesse: Wheelchair basketball is basically bumper cars meets basketball. Most of the same rules of able body basketball still apply. Offense, defense, passing, shooting, rebounding, dribbling, traveling, picking, fouls, free throws, 3 pointers etc. Our players just play the game from a seated position. Can be really intense.

Are you looking to play wheelchair basketball with an awesome, talented, friendly team? You’re in luck! The Coastal Chairmen are searching for motivated, dedicated players to join the team. If you’re interested, reach out to Jesse Lind at coastaladaptivesports@gmail.com

The Coastal Chairmen are also always looking for sponsors and donations. It costs about $3,000 just to play in the league. That cost only covers league dues, referee costs, balls, jerseys and the conference tournament fee. It doesn’t cover any other tournaments, travel, equipment, repairs or the annual NWBA National Championship - which the team would love to attend. Any little bit helps!

Wanna get involved? You may also volunteer to help out with a Coastal Adaptive Sports event by clicking here.