Photo by VINO

By VINO

According to League Organisors, registration closed last week with some 19 teams registering to participate. There are 14 senior teams and 5 junior teams.

League Commissioner Mrs Kharid T. Fraser also disclosed to Virgin Islands News Online that the 19 teams registered marks the highest number of teams ever registered for the league. “That is quite a bit,” Mrs Fraser noted, in expressing her satisfaction with the number of teams registered.

All games will be played on the weekends only – Friday to Sunday – and if necessary on Wednesdays.

Draft is back

Meanwhile, the popular Draft Exercise has been retained by the League Committee as all ‘draft players’ who participated last year were returned to the pool except the draft pick of 2015 Championship Team West Gunners.

This means that the inspirational Ray D. Victor will once again be spearheading the attack of West Gunners.

West Gunners were crowned Champions of the 3^rd edition of the Hon Julian Fraser Save the Seed Basketball League on Saturday November 7, 2015 after completing a sweep of the Splash Brothers, 80-69, in game two at the Save the Seed Energy Centre.

Victor had 19 points and 7 rebounds in that game even though he had to sit out for a long period following a clash of heads.

One of the Directors of the League, Hon Julian Fraser RA (R3) had expressed surprise that Victor was being retained as West Gunners’ draft player, saying he wasn’t aware of that rule.

“I don’t want anyone winning the league twice,” Hon Fraser had joked at the launch of the 2016 League at the Save the Seed Energy Centre Conference Room in Duff’s Bottom on June 24, 2016.

The League Committee said the purpose of the draft system is to allow for balanced competition among teams.

“This allows all senior teams to pick a local elite player (A League) in order to remain competitive so the competition will be more balanced and exciting. Elite players who are 23 years old and under do not have to participate in the draft, but can join any team,” a press release from the League on July 12, 2016 stated.

2016 Draft Players

The Hon Julian Fraser Save the Seed Basketball League 2016 Elite or ‘A’ players in the draft are Cedric King, David ‘Bolo’ Lettsome, Steve E. Parillon, Travis A. Isaac, Killven M. Samuel, Phillip Glasgow, Javaghn Cameron, Juan R. Hatchet, Dwayne ‘Kobo’ Penn, Nathaniel ‘Nat’ Malone, Kameron G. Young, and Sean ‘Chino’ Woods.

Rules of Draft

A raffle pick will determine which team gets which number picked in the draft. Only drafted players can be traded; however, trading of players is up to the League Committee.

Teams with the lowest record/score in the 2015 Hon Julian Fraser Save the Seed League will get numbers 1, 2, & 3 in order to have first preference to pick in the Draft System to display fairness.

Participating in the Draft system is not compulsory; however, it is highly recommended so that each team is allowed a fair and equal opportunity in the League.

Elite players for the Draft System should be well-disciplined, and cannot be suspended from any other local Basketball League.

Important meeting

Meanwhile, the League has announced there will be an important meeting for all Team Owners, Managers, Coaches or Team Representatives on Tuesday July 12, 2016 at the Valerie O. Thomas Community Centre, in Sea Cows Bay.

The meeting will commence at 6:00 P.M. The League organisors will be explaining the rules and expectations of each team.

Photo by VINO

By VINO

Currently, registration for teams, both male and female, is ongoing and inquiries have been at an all-time high for both senior and junior divisions.

According to Mrs Kharid T. Fraser, Chairwoman of the League, teams usually wait until the last week or so to complete their registration so at this stage she is unable to say how many teams will be involved.

“We usually have around 12 to 15 teams, and while we try to keep the league to around 15 teams we have never had cause to turn any teams away,” Mrs Fraser told Virgin Islands News Online.

Mrs Fraser also confirmed that teams have begun to make inquiries about registration.

When are the games?

One of the highlights of the August 20, 2016 start of the League is the handing over of the Digicel (BVI) sponsored rings to the 2015 champion team West Gunners, along with their banner to join the others in the Save the Seed Energy Centre, the home of the League.

Games will be played from Friday to Sunday (weekends only) and when necessary on a Wednesday night. This year the draft will take place again where each team can pick up a local elite player to help bring more talent, excitement and competitive spirit to their team.

All draft players will go back in the pool except the draft player for the championship team, who will be allowed to remain with his 2015 championship team West Gunners until a new championship team is named. A date will be announced, along with names of the players participating in the draft by next month.

Launching of League

According to Mrs Kharid T. Fraser, Chairwoman of the League, in the coming weeks the Hon Julian Fraser Save the Seed Basketball League will be launched via a Press Conference with the Founders/Directors, Leader of the Opposition and Third District Representative Hon Julian Fraser RA and Bishop John I. Cline, Senior Pastor of the New Life Baptist Church and Energy Centre founder, being the main speakers. Also expected to give brief remarks will be Guy L. Malone, the President of the BVI Basketball Federation.

Get your registration form

Meanwhile, the Senior Team Registration is $250.00 per team, ages 15 plus. The Junior League, which is 9 to 14, is $150.00. All Junior League players’ registration forms must be accompanied with copies of passport or other government issued identification to confirm ages, according to League Officials.

Registration forms can be collected from any of the League Committee Members; however, completed forms with payment must be turned into the Hon Julian Fraser’s Sea Cows Bay Office, which is opened Monday to Friday from 1 PM to 6 PM.

The office is located west of the Valerie O. Thomas Community Centre in the gray two-storey building. Registration deadline is June 30, 2016 by 6:00 PM.

Registration fees include uniform tops and insurance for those without NHI coverage. Persons needing more information on team registration and dropping off forms can call 1 284-546-2637 or 1-284-340-1550.

The League is governed by the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) rules, endorsed by the BVI Basketball Federation, and has its own by-laws and governing committee.