CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Queen City Classic Wheelchair Tournament kicked off this weekend in Rock Hill, South Carolina.

The two-day competition consists of 40 National Wheelchair Basketball Association adult and junior teams from 14 states competing in games each day.

Teams are fighting for a spot in the NWBA tournament set to take place in Richmond, Virginia, in spring.

The Charlotte Rollin’ Hornets are hosting the event and aiming for another win after taking home 10 adult and junior NWBA national titles. But for players like Isaac Cunningham, basketball is more than just a sport.

“It just fires me up, I mean, because this is something that I’ve been dreaming about ever since I was hurt in ’91,” he said.

Cunningham was injured in a car accident and has been playing for over 30 years, believing the sport gives him newfound freedom. He plays as a point guard and has helped lead his team to several victories.

“We play, we go for it, you know? You can’t come out here half-stepping, you got to bring your A-game,” Cunningham said.

The Rollin’ Hornets are a nonprofit team aiming to promote independence for individuals with disabilities, but Cunningham says learning the game did not come easy.

“Oh, man, it was tough. I mean, just learning how to push the chair and control the chair. You got to know part of the basketball game and when the ball comes to you, you just don’t know what to do with the ball,” he said.

As teams in Charlotte have competed for over 50 years, Cunningham says it’s all about the community that adaptive sports fosters.

“It’s everything, because if I didn’t have this, I don’t know what I would be doing right now. I mean, anybody out there that’s disabled, can’t run or walk, this is the game,” Cunningham said.