May 23 - The Paralympics have been over for two months, but that hasn't meant the end of the road for B.C. wheelchair athletes.

Today at the University of Saskatchewan, Team B.C. won its fourth consecutive national men's wheelchair basketball championship, defeating Ontario 68-56 in the gold-medal match.

Earlier in the day, the B.C. Breakers defeated the Edmonton Inferno 50-43 to win their first national women's wheelchair basketball championship at the same university.

The men were led by Erik Hagreen's 21 points and 13 rebounds. Hagreen is an able-bodied player from Prince George. Able-bodied players are permitted to compete in the national championship, but they're not allowed in international matches.

Teammate Richard Peter notched 20 points and six assists. Peter, a Paralympic gold medallist and native of Duncan, made the tournament all-star team.

On the women's side, Vancouver's Janet McLachlan scored 15 points and hauled down 17 rebounds on her way to winning the tournament MVP award.

Burnaby's Elisha Williams had 13 points and nine rebounds. Victoria's Jessica Vliegenthart had six points and was named to the tournament all-star team.

(Charlie Smith)

(The End)