If you’ve watched the documentary series “Ballin’ Out” (and if you haven’t yet, you should), you’ll know that cohesion and consistency were critical in Team USA’s run to bronze at last year’s Wheelchair Basketball World Championships.
A lack of both made the difference in two U.S. losses to the Netherlands in the tournament, in pool play and then again in the semifinals.
The players rediscovered their poise as they beat Germany to claim third place. “We just have to learn how to put four quarters together,” reflected Courtney Ryan, during the U.S. challenge in Dubai.
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At the Paralympics on Saturday, Team USA — with three out gay players in their squad in Ryan, Kaitlyn Eaton and Josie Aslakson — were facing the Dutch in their second Group B game.
It looked initially like the Americans were maintaining the same rhythm that had powered them to a tournament-opening 73-44 rout of the Germans.
An active team defense set up opportunities for Rose Hollermann, who led the Americans with 21 points, to attack the basket as Team USA held their early advantage through the first quarter at the Bercy Arena in Paris.
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Despite a late run by the Dutch, with Bo Kramer and Mariska Beijer to the fore, Team USA ended the first quarter with a 16-15 lead.
Ryan led the American challenge in the second quarter with a fast break bucket to extend the USA’s lead to 22-17, followed by an assist and another score.
However, Kramer and Beijer continued to make things difficult and they would score the final two baskets of the half as the Dutch took a 32-28 advantage into halftime.
The second half fell into a familiar pattern. The Netherlands turned up the intensity and grabbed the rebounds, with Kramer spreading the floor and Beijer in her best place to convert.
The Dutch inside threat scored six points on a quarter-opening 10-4 run. It was a lead that Team USA couldn’t dent through the rest of the game as the defending Paralympic champions streaked to a 69-56 win.
Beijer’s dominance inside was the difference as she scored 34 points in the game with 12 rebounds, while Kramer delivered a 20-point game as the Dutch moved a step closer to a Paralympic repeat.
The loss put more weight on Team USA’s last group game Monday against Japan. An American win would ensure second place in the group and a chance to avoid meeting the Netherlands prior to the gold-medal final.
Watch the groundbreaking documentary “Ballin’ Out” which follows the U.S. women’s wheelchair basketball squad at the World Championships in Dubai, with a focus on its LGBTQ players and coaches, for free on the Outsports YouTube channel.
