ORLANDO, Fla. — Everyone gets a second chance. The trick is to make it better than the first.

On Tuesday nights at the Silver Star Recreation Center gymnasium in Orlando, about two dozen people do it together through basketball.

The sounds are familiar; the swish from the net, a loud whistle and players and coaches yelling back and forth. What won’t be heard is squeaking shoes. Each member of Orlando Magic Wheels has traveled a major journey in his own right.

“Once you get injured, you’re kind of uncertain what you can do and what you can’t do and what capabilities you do have,” Kevin Greene said. “Wheelchair basketball kind of gives us that camaraderie of, like you said, that second chance but that added fire.”

People like Greene could’ve quit. A motorcycle accident resulted in the amputation of his left leg. On this court, stories like his aren’t uncommon. Life after an injury can be cruel and emotionally draining.

Head coach and General Manager Joyce Prakke said there’s one choice.

“You just keep going, and this is one way to keep going,” she said.

Prakke has been around the team since its inception in 1998, alongside longtime coach and founder Jim Moore. To her, this is bigger than basketball. It’s about helping others like her feel welcome and at home.

“It’s about accepting yourself,” Prakke said. Learning how to laugh at yourself. We have paralyzed people. We have amputees. The paralyzed people make fun of the amputees. You can’t take yourself so seriously, or no one wants to be around you.”

This team means something different — and yet the exact same thing — to each member.

“We’re all from different backgrounds,” said sixth-year player Mark Erickson.

“We all have different political views, different religions, and we all get along,” Erickson said. “It doesn’t matter. That’s like the coolest thing. We probably wouldn’t have met anywhere else but basketball.”

For practice coach Will Speed, this is about self-discovery. After a motorcycle accident left him with a spinal cord injury, he found a new passion on the court.

“Before I was in a wheelchair, I wasn’t an athlete at all,” Speed said, laughing. “I joined the team and instantly fell in love with it, and it’s been a ride ever since.”

A ride that led to a National Wheelchair Basketball Association Division III national championship.

“I’m not a crier, but I cried on the court that day,” Speed said.

The memories of that victory won’t be forgotten.

“Winning the MVP? Oh man, with four fouls. I almost fouled out,” Greene said, then laughed. “I was like, ‘I can’t believe I’m still playing.’ It’s a beautiful thing, man. It was exciting.”

A massive smile takes up Prakke’s face as she examines prints for their championship rings.

“They both work really well,” she said. “Unfortunately, they don’t make women’s rings, so I’ll be wearing a big, honking men’s ring, but that’s OK.”

The title means Orlando Magic Wheels can compete at the Division II level. As the roster continues to grow, they’re hoping to expand to multiple teams. Prakke and Moore are aiming to have teams compete at the Division II, III and junior level.

For that to be the case, more funds and donations are needed. Prakke said they’ve received some contributions but are still working toward their goal.

As much success as OMW has enjoyed, the real motivation isn’t lost.