By: VINO

As the BVI Basketball Federation’s (BVIBF) 40th Anniversary ‘Back on our Feet, Short and Sweet,’ Basketball League continued over the Father’s Day weekend, East put down an early marker over the Legs and the Bayside Blazers’ winning streak ended with back to back defeats.

The weekend action got underway on Friday June 13, 2014, with the Spartans routing the Spurs 96 -73 on the back of 25 points from Joel Douglas, having blown the game open with a 34-17 first quarter.

Vadelle Ibel added 20 points, Hakeem Penn 17 with 11 rebounds and Rami Garcia 14.
For the Spurs who never recovered from the first period mauling, but matched their opponents the rest of the way to the buzzer, Ryan Richardson and Devante Brewley both scored 15 points.

Lestin Wiltshire Junior notched 14 with 11 rebounds and Shakeem Blackmore also doubled with 13 points and 13 rebounds.

The Kings then beat the Gameboys 102-76 with Sean Woods scoring 20 points. Juan Hatchette doubled with 19 points and 11 rebounds, whilst Rowan Victor finished with 17 points and Jevonne Deming 16.

For the Gameboys Shaquille Fonseca scored 23 points with 9 rebounds, Tyree Maduro 17 points, Mandinka Crabbe 14 with 10 rebounds and Nehassie Chalwell  11 points.

Saturday Night was then turned out to be a thrilling spectacle of ball as East beat the defending Champions, the Legs and All Ah Wee brought the Bayside Blazers winning streak to an end.

The first game, in the Junior Division saw the Spurs suffer a second successive rout, this time 101-58 by And One, with Jachoy Walwyn scoring 19 points and 10 rebounds. Demoi Hodge scored 13 and Akeem Nibbs 13 with 8 rebounds and 9 assists.

The Spurs top scorer was Oscar Herrara with 14 points; Richardson added 10 and Blackmore picked up 12 rebounds.

In the Senior Division All Ah Wee over powered the Blazers in the second half. They turned a 31-31 half time score into a 58-46 third quarter advantage and then splashed in 31 more points to end 89-68 up.

Nathaniel Malone and Enrico Harrigan both scored 20 and Jamal Serrant 11 for All Ah Wee, whilst the Blazers got 29 points from Sandy E. Nadal and 19 from Chaurbin V. Smith.

East then rounded out the evening in front of a raucous crowd with an 81-68 demolition of the Legs thanks in large part to Killven Samuel, who scored 35 points and added 9 rebounds. David “Bolo” Lettsome added 16 points with 13 rebounds and Eustace “Boss” Freeman finished up scoring 12 points with 15 rebounds.

The Legs, who had matched the East for the first three quarters before being overrun in the fourth, were led by Jasin Edwin’s 23 point and 7 rebound effort. Kennedy Bass added 15 points and Dionne Blyden finished with 10 points.

On Sunday, the Blazers suffered a second defeat, this time 86-83 to the Gameboys and were undone in the third quarter of a tight game. The Blazers were well in front at the break, 51-42, but were undone by a 25 point third quarter by the Gameboys, who then held on during the fourth to claim a narrow three point victory.

Revaughn Garraway top scored for the Gameboys with 19, Maduro added 17, Fonseca 14 and Crabbe 14 with 8 blocks. The Blazers were led by Mikey S. Joseph who scored 16 points and double doubles from both Nadal (15p/11r) and Allison Leonard (15/14).

The Bayside Blazers is managed and owned by Julian Willock and is sponsored by; BCQS, Hon. Julian Fraser RA, Aaron Rentals Ltd, STO Enterprise Ltd., Caribbean Insurers Ltd., JML Techno Ltd., Peter Island Resort, Digicel BVI, Nagico Insurance, Scrub Island Resort & Spa, A Cut Above Beauty Salon, James Todman Construction Ltd., Crescent Corporate Services Ltd., and International Motors Ltd.

The team is coached by Rhennie O. Phipps with assistance from Jason A. Edwin. The team’s Scorer is Jonathan H. Garcia.

The two Junior Division games earlier Sunday evening had seen victories for the Starz, 98-50, over Real Tool and And One, 106-96, over Mad Mix. Demoi Hodge notched 46 points for And One, whilst Glenal Layne finished with 38 points and 16 rebounds for the Mix in what became an end to end slug fest of a game.

By: BVIsports.com

As the Basketball Federation’s “Short and Sweet Back on our feet” Summer League continued this past week, Fearless crashed through the 100 point barrier twice, the CCT Legs were handed a walk over and Alanah Chalwell’s Spartans continued to flourish.

No Retreat, No Surrender was Spartan Law in the day of Leonidas and Chalwell has certainly instilled the same fighting spirit within her troops as was proven when they faced a third quarter onslaught from the Junior Lions, after a comfortable end to the first half and a tied opening quarter.

The first break came with the score 20-20 and no one could have had the vision to see how the Spartans would then race into a 10 point lead by the end of the second quarter, although watching Chalwell the casual observer always gets the feeling she has things under control and is one step ahead.

The third quarter though almost proved the Spartans undoing as the Lions overturned the 38-28 score line into just a one point defecit at 56-55, but whatever their true professions, Chalwell, as Leonidas claimed of the Spartans back in ancient Greece, had bought more soldiers to the battle and they recovered to outscore their opponents by 6 points in the last quarter and took the win 86-79.

Top scorer for the Spartans was Karvin Robin with 25, Nikita Naval had 16, Malaki Thomas 15 and Kingbob Leonard 12. The Junior Lions were led by 16 points from Tafari Winchester,  13 points from Dekembe Parsons and 12 by Prince Slavius.

Fearless then blew away Real Tool, 101-34, with 23 points coming from Romain Minott Junior, 19 from Kevin Bodkin and 18 from Franklyn Penn Junior. Real Tool, who didn’t get a double digit score until the 4th quarter were led by Melvin Knight’s  11 points.

All Ah Wee rounded out Friday’s action with a comfortable 81-52 win over the surprisingly lack luster Just Be You Kings. Jevon and Jamal Serrant scored 25 points and 22 respectively, whilst Nathaniel Malone finished with 11. The Kings got 19 from Sean Woods and just 10 from Ray Victor.

Having taken Saturday Night off to solve any conflict with the 2nd BVI Twilight Invitational Track Meet, Another Level were awarded a forfeiture over the Junior Kings and then Fearless racked up another triple point score in beating the Starz 110-69. Minott double doubled with 15 points and 10 rebounds, Jamoiri Dagou scored 19 points and Mikey Joseph 16. For the Starz,  for whom  Stephon Caul shined brightest, with 23 points and 14 points, only two others made contributions of note, namely Kimron Telemaque (10p, 13 r ) and Aldric Thomas, who scored 12 points.

The weekend action finished with the Legs gaining a forfeiture over the Pure Playaz, but at least it was a short and sweet weekend!

-Team now up 2 wins with 1 loss in BVI Basketball Federation 2014 League

Weekend action in the BVI Basketball Federation’s ‘Back on our Feet, Short and Sweet’ League concluded on Sunday June 1, 2014 with yet another win for the Bayside Blazers, 76-66 over the Pure Playaz.

The Blazers raced into a 26 – 15 first quarter lead with Sandy E. Nadal looking in ominous shooting form and then utilized a growing confidence and new found resolute defensive stability to keep the advantage through to half time.

Up by 9 at the break the Blazers withstood a ferocious surge by the Pure Playaz during the third quarter which saw the lead whittle away to just a point, before they themselves mounted a thrilling 4th quarter offensive charge to extend that slender advantage and run out winners by 10 points.

Nadal finished with 29 points and 6 rebounds, whilst Mikey S. Joseph scored 22 points and added 7 rebounds and 4 steals.

For the Playaz Mervin Potter Junior had 27 points with 10 rebounds and Deon Smith 11 points.

The Bayside Blazers is managed and owed by Julian Willock and is sponsored by; BCQS, Hon. Julian Fraser RA, Aaron Rentals Ltd, STO Enterprise Ltd, Caribbean Insurers Ltd., JML Techno Ltd, Peter Island Resort, Digicel BVI, Nagico Insurance, Scrub Island Resort & Spa, A Cut Above Beauty Salon, James Todman Construction Ltd, and International Motors Ltd. The team is coached by Rhennie O. Phipps with assistance from Jason A. Edwin.

In other weekend basketball action…
In the two Junior Division games earlier on Sunday the Spartans and Spartan United recorded wins. The former 89-87 over Fearless and the latter 71-51 over Real Tool.
Hakeem Penn hit a monstrous 31 points and 23 rebounds for the Spartans with Joel Douglas adding 21 and Requan Fahie 16. For Spartans United Karvin Robin notched 21 points with 14 rebounds, Nikita Naval 16 with 19 rebounds and Maliki Thomas 16 points and 15 rebounds.

Real Tool were led by 18 points from Llewelyn Dasent whilst both Franklyn Penn Junior and Kevin Bodkin scored 25 for Fearless.

On Saturday Mad Mix beat the Spurs 102-99 with Mackebo Fahie netting 29 points, Glenal Layne 26 with 11 rebounds, Jasin Rhymer Junior 16 and Deondre Rhymer 10 with 14 rebounds. The Spurs were led by Shakeem Blackmore’s 27 points and 20 rebounds, whilst both Shadim Rubaine and Halford Barzey recorded double doubles and Oscar Herrara finished with 16 points.

Another Level then beat Fearless 90-83 with Noel Maxwell scoring 21 points, Jamari Benjamin and Stephan Adams 21 and Elvette Dore 15. Fearless were led by Deangelo Sampson’s 20 points and 17 from J’Kwon Frett.

The Senior match up on Saturday saw the Kings scrape to a 96-95 win over East with Ray Victor recording 28 points along with 9 rebounds. Jevons Demming added 18 points also with 9 rebounds and Sean Woods 12 points.

For East Killven Smith finished with 22 points, Leslee Smith scored 19 points with 19 rebounds and David Lettsome 16.

Two youth teams left the Territory on Wednesday July 17, 2013 to participate in the Little Lads and Lasses Basketball Tournament in Ponce, Puerto Rico from July 18 – 22, 2013. The Virgin Islands BD Basketball Association had conducted its 4th Annual District League earlier this year and the best players from within that tournament were selected to attend a rigorous training programme with some of the territory’s best Coaches- Trevor “West” Stevens, Keith “88” Malone, Jasin Edwin and Kennedy Bass.

Having been impressed with the skill level, determination and desire to improve displayed by the Squads as well as in the view of the Coaches the ability to compete at higher levels; the Association accepted the invitation to compete at the prestigious tournament. Two squads have been selected, one at U-15 and one at U-17. U-15’s – Danta Vanterpool, Akeem Nibbs, Jasin Rhymer, Terique Wattley, Jomoiri Dagou, Tahj Malone, Gianni Maduro, Rhevaun Sprauve, Stephon Caul, Neville Smith Jr, Hakeem Penn, D’Moi Hodge. Coach: Brian “Bash” Brewley; Asst. Coach; Jasin Edwin, Manager; Bryant Thomas. U-17’s Mackebo Fahie, J’Moi Liburd, Franklyn Penn Jr, Kimron Telemaque, Romain Minott Jr, Glenal Layne, Tyler Cameron Jr, Nathan Rodney, Relando Rodgers, Reiquan Fahie, Colen Corea Jr, Albert Hatchett. Coach:Trevor “West” Stevens, Asst. Coach’s: Keith “88”Malone and Gertrude Thomas, Manager: Kennedy Bass Also travelling with the teams will be Sharlene Hill and Carolann Simmonds as Chaperones.

The games will be streamed live and can be viewed on http://www.prlittlelads.ihigh.com . Puerto Rico Little Lads & Lassies Basketball Inc. is an organization that serves the children of Puerto Rico and the Caribbean. In recent years they have held a Regional basketball tournament across the island which has grown to now include more than 8,000 participants from 6 to 18 years, representing more than 60 organizations of children’s and youth basketball. Additionally, a Women’s basketball Little Lassies programme for girls from 9 to 19 years has been developed. It involves more than 40 teams, more than 700 participants representing more than 14 child basketball clubs and youth in Puerto Rico. The philosophy of the League has been of great impact for the development of participating children, since it is a requirement that all play at least a game period, this allows all to develop and feel important to their teams, leaders have responsibility to train and work with all their players in each practice and to achieve greater assistance of parents in every game played.

Kleon Penn has been given clearance by the BVI Basketball Federation (BVIBF)
to represent Puerto Rico, giving the player a chance to take his career in
basketball to a new level.

Whilst opening up new doors for Penn who was
born in Fajardo, Puerto Rico, such a move does affect the development of the
game in the Biritsh Virgin Islands as a pillar of the senior team will no
longer be available.

However, the move required the full support of BVIBF
President Byron Hodge, which was given to allow the Player to transfer national
allegiance.

Penn grew up and developed on the island of Tortola, learning
to play basketball at a tender age and after completing high school he
fine-tuned his skills at McNeese State University.

In 2007, Penn played
for the first time in Puerto Rico as a member of the British Virgin Islands
National Team and that was when the Directors of the Puerto Rican Federation
knew that Penn was born in Fajardo and reportedly began inquiries into switching sports citizenship.

A few days
ago, the owners of the Humacao/Carolina chieftains/Giants formalized their request to the BVIBF to allow the switch of
Penn as a registered player of the BVI to Puerto Rico and allow him to play for
his new National Team.

“Two or three days ago I talked to executives of
the BVIBF and President Byron Hodge is supporting the transfer to Puerto Rico
one hundred percent, revealed Penn. “It is a personal decision. It was something
that I always thought from the first time that I knew that I could represent
Puerto Rico. It took me four years to make this decision. It is a big step in my
career. It’s something that’s going to help as a player. I will take it to
another level. There were many years analyzing it, until this year I took her,”
continued Penn.

A FIBA rule allows the athletes request for a transfer if
eligible. That was the case of Charlie Villanueva, who represented the United
States in his youth and then asked for a change to play with the Dominican
Republic.

FIBA also ensures that transfers will help the development of
federations. In the case of Penn, the British Virgin Islands program would
suffer since he is a cornerstone in a pool where there is already a shortage of
players with professional experience.

The documentation of the transfer
of Penn has already been submitted by the local Federation, but it was not
possible to get a reaction from the Federal President, Carlos Beltran, to see if
the request will be approved by FIBA.

Penn’s agent doesn’t foresee any
problems, however. I don’t think that there are any problems. Kleon already
spoke with the President of the British Virgin Islands and has their support,”
he said.

Penn discussed his decision with his family and teammates and
said that the majority supported it. “My mom told me that she supported me, she
knows how much I love my island. And my friends also support me and they have
made this easier than I thought, he commented

The Puerto Rico-born Penn
is through his fourth season as a native player in the National Superior
Basketball (BSN), after being selected in the draw for 2010 and has the dream of
reaching the World Championships and Olympics, something that seems within reach
as a member of the national team.

Penn made the decision without any
guarantee from the Federation that he will be selected but Penn will be in the
front running as a replacement to the retiring Daniel Santiago. The other
established player is Peter John Ramos. So Penn looks like a suitable option,
with his solid defensive qualities.

He does have offensive limitations
and is currently averaging 4.8 points with 4.7 rebounds per game with an average
of 19 minutes playing time, but he is the leader of the tournament with 77
blocks (2.4).

“I know that I will have an opportunity to be on the team.
Anything can happen. I’m going to give 100% to make the team. If I don’t, it
will be fine but it is a risk I am taking, Penn said.