Another Level and Legs win Basketball Federation League openers

Photo by Charlie E. Jackson

Photo by Charlie E. Jackson

By VINO

The British Virgin Islands Basketball Federation (BVIBF) launched its National League on Saturday June 4, 2016, with defending champions Another Level and Legs both recording resounding wins at the Multi-Purpose Sports Complex in Road Town.

Playing the first game after the Opening Ceremony, which saw the Sports Minister Honourable Myron V. Walwyn officially declare the season open, Another Level beat Young Stars, 80 – 62.

For Another Level, Deangelo Sampson top scored with 21 points and 15 rebounds, Kevaughn Robin added 13 points with 7 rebounds, and Joash Victor notched 13 points and 8 steals, whilst Malique Wattley finished with 11 points.

For the Young Stars, Tafari Winchester scored 18 points, Dequante Dabreo 11 with 6 rebounds, Kishawn Willey 11 with 9 rebounds, 5 steals and Oscar Herara 10 points.

“We realised since 2014, when we tried to bring the league, that there was a lot going on in basketball and it was a disaster, with even the Government stepping in to help get things going. However, although there was no league we hosted the CBC Championship and realised we were heading into a transition period with some players getting older and less competitive. Our mandate for this league is to focus on younger players and help prepare the U16 Boys and Girls teams for a tournament in Guyana,” commented BVIBF President, Guy L. Malone.

Legs stride past Kings

To round out the opening night, Legs cruised past Kings, 81-70.

Khalid Gerrard led the way with 28 points, 8 rebounds, Kitwana Rymer scored 11 points with 7 rebounds, 5 blocks, Franklyn L. Penn Jr scored 10 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists and both Kennedy H. Bass and Jason A. Edwin hit 9 points, with Bass adding 5 rebounds and Edwin 10.

For the Kings, Kelvin Samuel scored 22 points, 16 rebounds, 13 assists and 3 steals, Sean Woods 12 points, 6 rebounds, Juan Richards 8 points, 9 rebounds and Cedric King 8 points, 7 rebounds.

Wins for Stingers & All Ah Wee

On Sunday June 5, 2016, the Hon Myron V. Walwyn sponsored Stingers routed the Celtics, 109-68, with D’Moi M. Hodge notching 35 points, 16 rebounds, 2 blocks, 13 assists, 3 steals. Tyler Cameron added 22 points, 11 rebounds, 3 steals, Amari Maduro 13 points, 4 assts, 5 steals, Requan Minott 12 points, 4 rebounds, Ajai Frett 12 points, 4 assists and 4 steals, Noel Maxwell 11 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists and Omar Walker 9 rebounds.

For the Celtics, Tyrell David picked up 15 points, 8 rebounds, and Kemoi Walters 11 points, 6 steals.

All Ah Wee then finished the weekend’s action with a 101 – 55 demolition of Zero Tolerance, with Steve E. Parillon grabbing 31 points, 5 rebounds, Jevon K. Serrant 17 points, 8 rebounds, 7 steals, Nat Malone 12 points, Enrico Harrigan 13 points, 13 rebounds, Travis Isaac 9 points, 11 rebounds, 7 assists and 5 steals, Jolyon Wilson 9 points, 8 rebounds and Aubrey Daniel 9 points, 4 rebounds.

Zero Tolerance were led by Nigel Carey’s 21 points, 11 rebounds and Roger Farrington’s 9 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists. Ahjan Doward finished with 5 points, 9 rebounds.

Women to compete in League for first time

For the first time ever the League will feature 3 teams of women.

“It’s very exciting,” noted Malone. “At the CBC we pushed hard for a senior women’s team and although we didn’t win many games we won the hearts of many of the other teams there. The women played with heart, spirit and no little skill, so it’s very encouraging for our growth to see them competing in a league format.”