By VINO
Joi Victor on the attack for Bulldogs at BVIBF Women’s League opening game. Photo: Charlie E. Jackson / VINO
After 40 odd years the BVI Basketball Federation (BVIBF) finally got a Women’s League underway as on Saturday June 11, 2016, the Bulldogs beat the Rams 47-38 at the Multi Purpose Sports Complex.
Whilst the first game of the night had featured another one sided win for the Stingers, the ladies game was an evenly matched seesaw affair between a bunch of talented female players.
On one side was the younger Rams, most of whom are part of the U16 squad in training for a tournament in Guyana, and on the other a more experienced cadre of girls, but it was the youngsters who stormed into an early lead, 17-7, to be up by ten at the end of the first quarter.
With bench rotations coming into effect and the likes of Joi Victor and Chelcey Hodge changing the dynamics for the Bulldogs, the deficit was almost wiped away by half time and the Rams led by just one , 22-21.
The game was still anyone’s and it was hard to tell who the quickly swelling crowd were backing, but at the end of a racous third quarter the Rams led by two at 30-28.
With Victor playing basketball like a high speed ballerina and Tamara Phillip solid under the rim at both ends of the court, the Bulldogs slowly began to overhaul the Rams and saw a 19 – 8 quarter see them over the line.
Phillip finished with 11 points and 18 rebounds, Victor 11 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists and 4 steals, Alana Chalwell 10 with 16 rebounds.
Shauliqua Fahie top scored for the Rams with 14 points, 8 rebounds, 3 blocks, 5 assists and 4 steals, Claury Scatliffe notched 8 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists, Mahkalya Pickering also scored 8 points and added 3 steals, whilst Myka Walwyn grabbed 8 rebounds.
