North Shore Bank sponsored a team at the 2024 Unstoppable Cup 3v3 Wheelchair Basketball Tournament. This marks the first time the bank has been involved with the event.

Twenty-four teams competed; our team was one of 12 new entrants this year. Mike Cornell, VP, Senior Lender Commercial Banking, and Margaret Capper, SVP, Commercial Banking Manager, learned of the event from a client, AILCO President Derek Smith. The event raises funds to purchase sport wheelchairs and equipment for The Ability Center in Wauwatosa.

All North Shore Bank players on the court wore their green shirts, along with many employees and their family members cheering them on from the sidelines. Players with and without disabilities were welcome to play in the tournament, but everyone played from a basketball wheelchair. 02941

Players for North Shore Bank’s team included:

• Mike Kellman, SVP, Consumer Sales
• Derek Wheeler, VP, Business Banking
• Tyler Kebis, Business Relationship Specialist
• Jake Verhaalen, Business Relationship Manager
• Emily Capper, daughter of Margaret Capper, SVP, Commercial Banking Manager

Employees said the environment was exciting and filled with friendly competition. Teams were organized into brackets and advanced through the tournament based on wins.

“It was incredibly challenging!” Jake said.

Tyler played wheelchair basketball once while in college, so this was his second time. The wheelchairs they used were extremely responsive, he said, “but shooting from a seated position is tougher than it looks!”

Our team placed well but unfortunately lost in a tie match broken with free throws. The team then moved into the “loser’s bracket” — but still had a blast! The team played tough, and did fantastic for a first-year effort.

Great job, North Shore Bank team!