• Courts Pacesetters are new senior basketball champions
  • By Joe Chapman - Guyana Chronicle, March 12, 2003
    COURTS Pacesetters are the new senior basketball champions of Georgetown, winning the deciding game three of the best of three series 83-65, after splitting the first two games with opponents and national champions Bounty Colts.
    In fact, it came after back-to-back victories by Courts Pacesetters last Saturday and Sunday night, which saw them romping home winners since they lost game one by one point 82-81 but bounced back to take game two 78-73 and closed out the Guyana champions, comfortably winning the toss up game.
    Pacesetters responded to an early lead of Colts, soon after holding the edge 16-8 with 4:11 minutes gone in the opening quarter and then built an advantage by ten points 21-11 at the end of the first period.
    Speedy guard Stephan Henry carried the early swing which had fans wrapped up in his dazzling shakes as he sparked the Setters' early pace, in tandem with forward Stephan Gillis and Jermaine Warde. They proved a tough combination for their rivals.
    Pacesetters still held the lead at 24-15 and with over six minutes left. Then at 28-17, Colts looked to national forward Andrew Ifill who sank one from behind the arc with 3:36 to go to get them out of the rubble. But by then the signs looked ominous for the champions who were down at the half, 35-27.
    As the third quarter began, coach Phillip George and captain Rondell Murphy seemed bent on winning with some emotional instructions that fell on deaf ears.
    The wear and tear of a match-up with man-to-man marking proved too much for Colts as Pacesetters held the edge as the game became riddled with turnovers. Warde and company supported coach Bobby Cadogan's ploy to play hard inside and Warde scored on what was a three-point lay-up attempt.
    But he failed to convert the freebie with his team up significantly, 45-34, with 6:08 remaining and then on the other end of the floor he blocked a shot, on his way to being the eventual Most Valuable Player of the final.
    Warde scored again when his team found their rhythm taking a 47-34 edge on his short jumper. Henry was the trigger the setters pulled on to frustrate their opponents at times and on one of his lead breaks he scored for a 20-point advantage 56-36 with 2:32 to go in the third quarter before they held sway at 62-49.
    Forward Mark Trotz then put his team up by ten when he scored with less than ten minutes to go for a 64-54 lead as Clarence Bennett nailed one "trey" to cut the lead to nine, trailing 57-66. Then Trotz was again on the scorers’ sheet when Setters were ahead 72-59 and with no real signs of a recovery by the top Guyana club, as Pacesetters out-scored them to deservedly take the Georgetown crown in the Open Classic tournament 83-65.
    Andrew Ifill lit up the scoreboard for 23 points while Rondell Murphy got 13 in a losing effort. The combined scores from Warde with 19, Gillis 12 and ten each from Royston Siland and Neiland Loncke were the reasons behind the Courts Pacesetters’ victory. Colts had won the first game 82-81 and lost the second before this decider.
    President of the Georgetown Amateur Basketball Association Chris Douglas appealed for support for basketball as he spoke at the conclusion of the tournament.
    In the win on Saturday, which ended 78-73, Ifill filled the scoring sheet with 31 points for the losers while Loncke and Siland each got 15 points, Calvin Andrews 12 and Henry 11 for Pacesetters.
    Crystal Stars beat Scorpions 69-51 in Sunday’s supporting game, a third division encounter as Deon Bacchus hit 19, Ron Mickle 12 for the winners, while R.Cornelius and W.Waddle each got ten.

  • Sports Hall close to basketball indefinitely
  • By Isaiah Chappelle - Guyana Chronicle, June 4, 2003
    THE Cliff Anderson Sports Hall has been closed to basketball indefinitely, following the disturbance there during Saturday night’s Carib Malta Inter-ward final, thus the organisers of the education institutions competition will be meeting the authorities this morning.
    Organisers of the Solutions 2000 Under-19 secondary and tertiary institutions competition made the announcement during a press conference at the IICA conference room, Brickdam, yesterday.
    But we are optimistic that the decision will be favourable. It is a totally different competition. It attracts a different crowd, coordinator Perry Woolford said.
    Woolford, who is also secretary of the Georgetown Amateur Basketball Association (GABA), disclosed that participating schools provided a teacher to supervise their teams, but when the teachers were on strike, the Parent-Teacher Association was involved and the GABA had an officer assigned to teams. These officials are clearly tagged.
    The officer explained that the sponsors had wanted the competition staged during Mashramani but the GABA did not follow up on that proposal. It was then requested that the competition be played for the Independence celebration.
    Woolford said that several factors prevented teams from being uniformed, but the sponsors were working on providing the finalists with uniforms.
    Dr Parris of GABA Disciplinary Committee said the body was satisfied with the discipline in the competition.
    Kids will try something, but once they are spoken to, they correct the situation,” Dr Parris pointed out.
    The official, however, disclosed that there was one “unfortunate” incident of alcohol consumption and the GABA and the school the students came from, dealt with the matter, although the persons involved were not actually players.
    Several drastic measures have also been put in place, such as the expulsion of the team from the competition.
    Although matches should finish by 17:30 hrs, some teams arrived late and play went beyond that deadline.
    However, Dr Parris said that at no time did matches pass 18:30 hrs, so parents should question their children if they are at home later than 19:30 hrs.
    But we should congratulate the players for balancing the academics with sport, Dr Parris said.
    The secondary schools quarterfinals are fixed for today, followed by the tertiary institutions semifinals and the finals of the individual competitions.
    From 13:00 hrs, Kingston High meet North Ruimveldt Secondary, St Rose’s High come up against Business College and St Stanislaus face President’s College.
    University of Guyana will clash with Government Technical Institute (GTI) in the semifinals from 16:00 hrs.
    The tertiary Mr Free Throw finals will have Dale Sauers of Linden Technical Institute (LTI), Desmond Chin (LTI) and Kester Gomes (GTI). Sauers will clash with Bonny Wilson (LTI) for the Mr Three Points crown, while Otto Williams, Jomo Augustine and Gomes will battle for the Dunk-Out title.
    In the secondary category, Ryan Stephney (BHS), Steven Kissoon (East Ruimveldt Secondary) and Jason Haynes will match aim for the Mr Free-Throw crown, with Ramos Cornelius (Christ Church), Melroy Browne (Kingston High) and Stephney clashing for the Mr Three-point title and Hadock Thompson of International Business College of Education (IBCE), Aubrey Smith (IBCE) and Kevin Pilgrim (Alleyne High) for the Mr Dunk-Out honours.

  • More local Basketballers likely for US. colleges

  • Crowd trouble mar Carib Malta basketball final - Match to be completed on Saturday
    By Isaiah Chappelle
    Guyana Chronicle, June 3, 2003
    AN avalanche of bottles and other debris descended on the court with 2.4 seconds left in the opening match of the Carib Malta Inter-ward basketball final at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, Sunday night.
    With broken bottles littering the floor, the referees abandoned the game and Wortmanville/Werk-en-Rust held a 74-72 lead over North Ruimveldt.
    The rain of bottles and other stuff continued even as the over-capacity crowd made its way out of the arena, overshadowing a truly spectacular encounter that generated excitement from the first to the last whistle.
    Organiser Robert Cadogan told Chronicle Sport that the remaining 2.4 seconds would be completed before the start of Game 2 in the finals on Saturday.
    But first of all we have to secure the use of the hall, in light of what happened. And we may have to look at bringing in referees from Trinidad & Tobago because it seems that the refereeing did not please fans,” Cadogan said.
    But the stage for chaos was set early when the massive crowd broke down a gate at the entrance and a swarm of people invaded the stands, which were already full to near capacity.
    Several other persons even scaled the eastern and western walls, passing through the little space between the wall and the roof, to gain entry.
    A security guard showed Chronicle Sport a ticket booth at the eastern side of the building, which some persons broke into, to gain entry into the hall, but found themselves at a dead end instead.
    The numbers (security personnel) were too few to deal with such a big crowd,” the security guard said.
    Thus as the bottles were thrown from the stand onto the court, the security guards stood helpless at the edges of the court. Table officials and some media members took cover behind the low wall separating the stands from the court area.
    However, after fans left the venue, Cadogan and advisers discussed security measures for Game 2 on Saturday, if permission is granted for use of the sport facility.
    Brilliant performances from former Caribbean All-Stars guard and National captain, Lugard Mohan and Aubrey Young, along with Andrew Ifill, produced a formidable unit for North Ruimveldt, despite having just two reserves on the bench.
    Nayland Loncke continued to be the pivot of Wortmanville/Werk-en-Rust thrust, while coach Dennis Clarke used his star-studded bench well, interspersed with good time-out calls.
    North Ruimveldt registered the first points, with Randel Murphy sinking them from the free throw line. But Loncke announced his presence with a three-pointer, eventually tying the score at 8-8 then Wortmanville/Werk-en-Rust took over the lead.
    Mohan regained the lead with a three-pointer, Loncke replied with one and Young hit another for North Ruimveldt to lead 14-13, all three shots from beyond the arc coming consecutively, all to thunderous applause of shrieking fans.
    Wortmanville/Werk-en-Rust wrested back the lead, however, holding it to 21-20 then Mohan was fouled aiming for a three-pointer. He sank the three free throws to tie the score then gave his team the lead. They ended the quarter ahead, 25-23.
    North Ruimveldt maintained control of the game, leading by nine at one point 37-28, with Ifill decorating the quarter with a super dunk to finish a long pass and Young sinking from downtown. But Wortmanville/Werk-en-Rust began slowly coming back, reaching within one point at 43-44, but Mohan ended the quarter with two accurate shots from the free-throw line. That should have been three shots because he was going for a three-pointer clearly outside the arc, but the referee ruled two shots, perhaps signalling the whistle was going against North Ruimveldt because the action repeated itself in a later quarter. They led 46-43.
    Wortmanville/Werk-en-Rust started the third scoring, taking the lead at 49-48 up to 53-51. But Young regained it for North Ruimveldt with a three-pointer.
    However the team only hit two more baskets, one of which was a Mohan three-pointer just before the end, while the other side sank six, four from the line, and led 61-59.
    At the start of the final quarter, Wortmanville/Werk-en-Rust hit three quick baskets to extend the lead 67-59.
    North Ruimveldt took a time-out, and from 7:49 minutes to 2:34 minutes on the clock, they came back to within two points at 67-69, hitting six baskets, including four from the line, and a dunk by Ifill. Then Young came off the court.
    But Ifill seemed to be the target of the referee’s whistle, getting some unconvincingly fouls blown against him. On one occasion, he was blown for pushing and no one was within arm’s length of him. He was eventually fouled out.
    Wortmanville/Werk-en-Rust took a time out with 4:20 minutes left and raced to 74-67. Darcel Harris brought back North Ruimveldt with one from beyond the arc, and they added two more from a lay-up to move two points away.
    North Ruimveldt gained possession with 37 seconds left and surprisingly, Harris drove for a lay-up instead of a three-point play that Mohan was clearly setting up for. He was fouled.
    The first bottle hit the court and the game halted with 15 seconds remaining. Play resumed and the indiscriminate salvos began with 2.4 seconds left in the game.
    Earlier, Mae’s Secondary did well to bounce back and defeat the clearly more skilful Pacesetters in a female encounter 33-32.

  • Basketball final ends in near riot...
    Fans wreak havoc... Bottles thrown on court
  • By Clyde Pestano - Stabroek News, June 3, 2003
    It was supposed to be a glorious night for the continued revival of basketball in Georgetown and Guyana as a whole. Instead the finals of the inter-ward competition at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall between Wortmanville/Werk-en-Rust and North Ruimveldt turned out to be a nightmare and a slap in the face for fans and officials alike. The game ended in a near riot with glass bottles and other paraphernalia being thrown onto the court with Wortmanville/Werk-en-Rust leading by two points 74-72. However with 2.4 seconds left in the game, it was still anybody's game with North Ruimveldt's No. 8 Darcelle Harris still to shoot another free throw.
    The City Police had their hands full and failed to control the overcrowded venue it what turned into a sad affair for basketball and sport on the whole in Guyana.
    Part of Sunday night's action between Mystics and Courts Pacesetters Female Basketball Teams at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall. Mystics won the friendly by a 33-32 margin
    Adding insult to injury, two motorcycles and a bicycle were stolen and mini scuffles broke out among disgruntled fans.
    The game began at approximately 22:45 hrs and North Ruimveldt scored the first basket courtesy of a free throw by Rondell Murphy. They forged ahead to lead 7-1 after 4:05 had elapsed in the first. Wortmanville/Werk-en-Rust however managed to close the gap to one point 7-6 after consecutive baskets. The game was tied at 8 by North Ruimveldt but Wortmanville/Werk-en-Rust went ahead 10-8 with 5:43 to go in the first quarter. A three-pointer by former national captain Lugard Mohan made it a one point lead for North Ruimveldt. The game was tied again at 15 as both teams fought hard for the early edge. Mohan again led from the front as he scored two consecutive baskets to put his team in the lead after the first quarter 25-23.
    On the resumption the game was tied again at 25. However after several turnovers by Wortmanville/Werk-en-Rust, North Ruimveldt managed to open a six point lead 34-28 with 6:07 to go in the second. They managed to extend their lead by eight at 41-33 with 3:54 to go. However, Wortmanville/Werk-en-Rust rallied well to close the gap and at half time it was a three point game 46-43 in favour of North Ruimveldt.
    As the second half began, the game see-sawed back and forth as the lead fluctuated between both teams. The scores were tied at 54 with 4:30 remaining in the third as the battle for supremacy and the title raged on. With 2:53 to go North Ruimveldt called a time out as they were guilty of giving away too many turnovers quite easily. As a result by the end of the third period of play they were behind by two points 59-61.
    As the final segment began a revitalized Wortmanville/Werk-en-Rust went on a 6-0 run and raced to an eight point lead 67-59 as North Ruimveldt seemed to be losing their cool. North Ruimveldt called a time out as they tried to cool things down and to slow Wortmanville/Werk-en-Rust's advance. It seemed to have worked as they closed the gap to five at 67-62, then three on the back of an Andrew Ifill free throw at 69-63. The game by now was fever pitched as both teams scrambled for the ascendancy with several brilliant plays by both teams. With the result hanging in the balance at 69-66 Wortmanville/Werk-en-Rust called a time out as the tension was almost tangible at the Sports Hall. The crowd by now was becoming excited as they too got into action with chants and clapping and stomping for their home team. It was a two point game 69-67 with 2:34 left in the match and with 1:56 to go Wortmanville/Werk-en-Rust stayed in front 73-67. With 1:30 to go they still held the lead by four 74-70. As the seconds ticked away and a timely turnover presented itself North Ruimveldt again moved to within striking distance of the lead with a lay up for two points to make it 74-72. With 15.0 to go in the game and the ball in North Ruimveldt's possession an initial disruption occurred as a bottle was thrown on to the court with the game catapulting towards an unbearable nerve wrangling end. After several minutes order was restored as security personnel and the organizers tried their best to contain the boisterous crowd which by now was spilling onto the edges of the playing area. The game resumed with North Ruimveldt in possession of the ball and a chance to win with a three pointer or a tie with a two point lay up. However No. 8 Darcelle Harris was fouled with 2.4 seconds left. With all at stake he went to the foul line. He caved in to the pressure as his first shot fell short of the rim.
    This was too much for some fans who probably felt that North Ruimveldt had lost at that point. Immediately after his miss bottles started to hit the court, shattering as angry fans vented their anger and disappointment. The melee forced players, officials and other fans to grab whatever was at hand to place over their heads to avoid injury. Even the media were at the mercy of the bottle throwers as they sought refuge from the assault in whatever way they could.
    In an invited comment one of the organizers, Dennis Clarke, stated that it was regrettable what happened and blamed it on overzealous fans of both teams. Clarke said that no bottles were sold from the `bars' in the Sports Hall and that it was persons who had concealed bottles on their person when entering and leaving the venue that contributed to the chaotic situation.
    He revealed that they had approached the Guyana Police Force for police protection but were told that the force was reluctant to have uniformed policemen at the venue because of concerns for their personal safety.
    The organizer added that the match will have to be continued because it was still possible for either side to win or the match could go into overtime.
    Clarke said that he had gotten a written letter from the administrator of the Sports Hall informing him that all activities at that location will cease until further notice.
    The administrator of the venue when contacted for a comment told Stabroek Sport that it was obvious that the security on hand was too limited to control such a huge crowd. He was of the opinion that the organizers may have cut corners by not employing a bigger team of security personnel.
    He mentioned that Director of Sports Neil Kumar was informed of the situation and had visited the location yesterday.
    The administrator also added that a meeting with all stakeholders will be held to discuss the situation and to recommend the way forward because of the ramifications of what had happened.

  • Guyana hopes to be filarial-free by 2010
  • Guyana Chronicle July 26, 2003
    THE Georgetown Amateur Basketball Association (GABA) unveiled their new slogan “Youth Basketball On The Move” as the city aim to promote the game at a school level.
    At a press briefing at the Critchlow Labour College, Thursday, the GABA disclosed that Under-19 players selected from the recently concluded Solutions 2000 Secondary and Tertiary Independence Basketball Competition, were already in training at the National Gymnasium on Sundays, Wednesdays and Saturdays.
    The GABA will have the team participate in a number of international tournaments outside of Guyana, with the hope of scouts for Collages or Universities abroad spotting them.
    At the moment, the team is scheduled to attend the Under-19 National Schools Championships in St. Lucia.
    It is here that we will play competitive ball in front of a large audience,” GABA Secretary Perry Woolford said.
    Also, on the itinerary for the team in training is a trip to Antigua to take part in a three-way tournament, which will include Santo Domingo.
    GABA President Raphael Douglas said that funds were needed for the tours to take place.
    “We are looking for help for our players, and help will also be asked for by the government. However, if this does not happen our players will still leave since we will hold a number of fund raisers for this purpose,” Douglas said.
    For the reminder of the year the GABA President is looking at holding a number of youth events including a third division tournament next month on the open court, with the finals being played at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.
    In September, the GABA is considering holding a Yohance Douglas Under-21 tournament, along with a second division competition.
    Between October and November, the GABA is hoping to promote the first ever National Squad Knock out tournament, with clubs from all over Guyana taking part.
    In December, the GABA aims to complete the year with a Georgetown Linden “Madness Showdown”
    Another project is to refurbish outdoor basketball courts, according to the GABA president.

  • The GABA has been too negative of recent - Coach Bobby Cadogan
  • By Clyde Pestano - Stabroek News, July 20, 2003
    Coach of Courts Pacesetters Basketball Club Bobby Cadogan is alleging that some of the executives of the Guyana Amateur Basketball Association (GABA) have been too negative with regards to their comments about players and officials involved in the game.
    According to Cadogan, the recent inter-ward competition saw very large crowds attending the games and many players from different areas participating.
    However, he said that to continue the development of the game and to keep players and fans interested they had planned to host a `super-ten’ competition.
    That competition is now being held up according to Cadogan because the GABA is withholding sanctioning of the event.
    The coach told Stabroek Sport that the president of the GABA had orally sanctioned the event but he (Cadogan) was awaiting written confirmation from the executive (of GABA) since that is required by the authorities at the venue before games are held.
    Cadogan said that he hopes that basketball players and fans understand the `real’ reason for the delay. He mentioned that his organization and the ruling body had had a disagreement with regards to the payment of monies from the last inter-ward tournament but that matter had been settled since they (Courts Pacesetters) had agreed in writing to honour a commitment they had made.
    Cadogan said that funds from the `super-ten’ would have been used to visit and play games in Suriname as well as host club teams from Trinidad & Tobago and Barbados. The former national player also pointed out that an executive of the GABA had said on television recently that the players should not be playing for money.
    But Cadogan feels that without monetary incentives players will not feel motivated enough during tournaments.
    According to him many of these young men are not working anywhere and winning a tournament and earning some monetary reward is seen as a big prize for them. He stated that `gear’ for a player is very expensive with a quality sneaker costing in the vicinity of $20,000.
    The coach said he is not happy with what he describes as the unprofessional attitude of some of the executives and which not doubt reflects on the entire body.
    Cadogan would like in the near future to run-off a nationwide tournament similar in stature to the annual Kashif & Shanghai Football tournament held in Linden. He would like basketball clubs in Linden and Berbice to be a part of the new tournament which he envisages.
    Cadogan is appealing to the GABA to be more professional since negativity and unprofessionalism will hurt the game, players and fans alike.

  • Basketball trip to St. Lucia - More questions than answers
  • Stabroek News November 27, 2003
    The recent trip to St. Lucia by a group of Guyanese basketballers from October 24-29 has brought in its wake controversy, shocking revelations and allegations of financial impropriety.
    Part of the unfolding drama is the expulsion from the Georgetown Amateur Basketball Association (GABA) of former secretary Perry Woolford and treasurer Eon Andrews. Their expulsions were announced at a press conference held by the GABA at its headquarters on New Market Street several days ago.
    At that briefing it was also announced that Duane Fowler and Rayad Boyce would be the new secretary and treasurer respectively of the GABA.
    President of the GABA Raffel Douglas told the media that an associate of his, Didus Fedee, had been induced to sign a promissory note at the Harbour Light Inn in Castries St. Lucia to the tune of EC$4,049.20.
    A faxed copy of this `note' was seen by Sportscope on which the signatures of both Woolford and Fedee appear. In addition, Sportscope also has in its possession a faxed message to the Inn by Woolford acknowledging owing the debt incurred.
    The secretary in an article in the Guyana Chronicle also acknowledged that debt to the Inn.
    The drama of what was supposed to be an exciting tour took on another dimension when Sonia Williams, an employee of the Inn, sent information to the GABA president outlining the team's stay there.
    She claimed that former secretary Woolford had told her that he had a cheque and as soon as he could get it changed he would pay the monies owed.
    But Woolford did not or was unable to change that cheque in St. Lucia. It appears that he then asked Fedee to sign a promissory note honouring the debt to the Inn, and reportedly promised to change the cheque upon his return to Guyana and then send the monies back to clear off the debt incurred.
    We at Sportscope are of the view that Fedee erred in a big way since he should have called the GABA president to double-check whether or not Woolford was authorized by him for any transaction whatsoever.
    Sportscope is reliably informed that since Woolford and entourage returned to these shores on October 29, almost one month later he is yet to honour his promises to Fedee or the Inn.
    In addition, it has come to the attention of Sportscope that a local airline is owed in excess of $150,000 for tickets issued for that trip. Sources also told Sportscope that the airline may have to seek legal redress in order to recover the amount owed.
    On October 13 last, Stabroek Sport carried an article headlined "Fifteen 'stars' for U-19 tour of St.Lucia", with a strapline - "GABA appeals to the public for help and support".
    The very first paragraph informed readers that "a squad of 15 exuberant and excited under-19 basketball `stars' have been selected by the Georgetown Amateur Basketball Association (GABA) to tour St Lucia to participate in that island's school's basketball tournament."
    However, at a press conference last week at the YWCA, former secretary Woolford told the media that the team went on a `goodwill' tour and secondly that the tour was not sanctioned by the GABA but the Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF).
    But neither the secretary nor the treasurer informed the media then that the tour was being sanctioned by the GABF. How can such a claim be made now? According to that article the parents of the players praised the efforts of the GABA to revitalize the sport. Again no mention of the GABF!
    Did the two former officials seek the blessings of the GABF unknowing to the president? And when did these two officials seek the blessings of the federation - was it before or after the tour?
    Then again could these gentlemen say why in the build-up for the tour no mention was made of this `fact'? Up to and including days prior to the team's departure for St Lucia the media were invited to several public events, the most memorable being a press conference at the Critchlow Labour College (CLC). At that briefing president of the GABA was invited to give his blessings and he did, in fact going as far as publicly thanking the former secretary Perry Woolford for the good job that he was doing.
    The fact of the matter is the GABF is yet to issue a statement on the St. Lucia tour and its input.
    It has also been noted recently that the Federation has been defunct for quite a while and just who are its members is anybody's guess.
    At the press briefing last week Woolford also categorically denied that the tour was under the auspices of he GABA. In addition, he also alleged that the president of the GABA was ineligible for the post and his personal `image' had caused sponsors not to come on board the U-19 tour.
    When asked if the tour was in jeopardy because of the withdrawals of the sponsors, Woolford retorted that they (himself and Andrews) had alternative plans in place for such an eventuality. He was also asked by the media to give an account of how much money was collected prior to the tour and how it was spent during and after but he declined saying that he was not prepared to divulge such information since his lawyers were looking into the matter.
    Sportscope is of the view that the former secretary and treasurer are procrastinating, probably hoping that this issue would settle in the dust which it kicked up. However, Sportscope is keeping on the ball on this issue since the matter could likely be the subject of further investigation.
    What is evident at this point is that there are more questions than answers.

  • Woolford slams expulsion from basketball body
  • By Clyde Pestano - Stabroek News November 22, 2003
    Expelled secretary of the Guyana Amateur Basket-ball Association (GABA) Perry Woolford said yesterday that he does not recognize the executive of the GABA as currently constituted and denounced his expulsion.
    Speaking at a press conference at the YWCA on Brickdam, he said that neither he nor former treasurer Eon Andrews was answerable to GABA President Raffel Douglas. Woolford and Andrews called the press conference to respond to media reports about investigations into the recent tour of a team of Guyanese U-19 basketball players to St Lucia.
    According to Woolford, the tour was not sanctioned by the GABA, rather it had the blessings of the Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF).
    He stated that he had not received any written or oral communication from the GABA inviting him to any of the special meetings which voted on his suspension and subsequent expulsion (See other story on page 27). In addition, he cited Article 10 Section C 1 of the GABA constitution which says that he as secretary of the governing body is the only executive or member authorized to call meetings. He also claimed that at the moment no player or club is affiliated to the GABA.
    Questioned by the media, Woolford admitted meeting a Mr. Didus Fedee in St Lucia, but did not elaborate on how they met and what transpired at the meeting. In another section of the media the former secretary had denied meeting any "associate" of Douglas.
    Meanwhile, just prior to the briefing Woolford suggested to this reporter that he should not have been at the press conference because he was not invited. However other members of the media told Woolford that his stance would not be tolerated since the reporter was properly identified and was known to all of them. Woolford withdrew his remark.
    Questioned about funding for the tour, Woolford told the media that they (himself and Andrews) were not ready to speak about that at the moment since their lawyers were examining the documents. However, he divulged that five players had paid their full `package' for the tour.
    In an invited comment, Douglas told Stabroek Sport that he had rung Woolford and told him about the meeting, but was asked to put the request in writing. Douglas said that this was done and that the coach of Emperors Basketball Club, Vijay Panday, had delivered the letters to Andrews and Woolford.
    And in response to the affiliation claim, the president said that all clubs are affiliated to the GABA for two years and as far as he is aware all clubs and players are affiliated to the governing body.
    With regard to the claim by Woolford that only the secretary could convene meetings the president cited Article 5 which deals with the duties of the president and says: "The president is authorized to carry out any other duties that may be assigned by the executive or the general meeting."

  • Basketball body expels secretary and treasurer
  • Stabroek News November 22, 2003
    The Guyana Amateur Basket-ball Association (GABA) yesterday announced the expulsion of secretary Perry Woolford and treasurer Eon Andrews.
    According to a GABA press release Woolford and Andrews were expelled under Section 4 Article 9 of the organization's constitution. The release added that the executive members were removed from office by a unanimous vote at an emergency meeting held the day before.
    Duane Fowler and Ryad Boyce were confirmed as the new secretary and treasurer respectively of the GABA.
    The GABA said it has asked that the former executive members return all GABA property which is still in their possession.
    The release said that a new official stamp and letterhead will be designed for the organization.

  • Team did well despite setbacks  - Herbert Adams U-19 basketball coach
  •  Clyde Pestano - Stabroek News Nov. 22, 2003
    Coach of the Under-19 Guyanese basketball squad which recently toured Saint Lucia, Herbert Adams told Stabroek Sport yesterday that the team did well despite several setbacks.
    According to him the team won the three matches they played despite adversities such as the weather and being pitted against players who were over 19 years old. He added that as coach he was satisfied to an extent with the performance of the players on tour in spite of those adversities.
    Referring to recent media reports about irregularities with regard to funds during the tour, the coach reiterated that he had no cause to receive any funds from parents, sponsors or any source for the tour.
    Adams added that he was not a member of the GABA, nor was he involved in any investigation related to the tour.
    The coach emphasized that he was just a coach for the tour and did his job to the best of his ability.

  • Basketball confusion continues...
    GABA expels secretary, treasurer... money still not accounted for
  • By Leeron Brumell - Guyana Chronicle November 22, 2003
    GEORGETOWN Amateur Basketball Association (GABA), yesterday, announced it expelled secretary Perry Woolford and treasurer Eon Andrews with a unanimous decision taken at an emergency meeting Thursday last.
    The expulsion was done in accordance with Section 4 Article 9 of GABA’s constitution after Woolford and Andrews were found guilty of dishonesty by the assembly, comprising GABA president Raffel Douglas, vice-president Michael Singh and representatives of affiliated clubs.
    The investigation is ongoing and when completed, the findings would be made public, the GABA stated.
    Some sections of the media had earlier stated that the two were expelled but it was not until Thursday that the decision was taken.
    Following the expulsion, GABA named Scorpions coach Duane Fowler as secretary and Ryad Boyce as treasurer.
    The GABA disclosed that the two estranged officials had not reported to the body and they had not returned the association’s property, which includes stationery, thus it had already secured the services of an advertising agency to design a new GABA letterhead.
    When Chronicle Sport contacted Woolford for a comment, he chuckled to know that they were expelled and had not been notified of the decision.
    Woolford said the decision is void since GABA’s constitution has not been amended and it is the secretary’s job to convene meetings.
    The official pointed out that the Executive of GABA comprises himself, Andrews, Douglas and Singh and not other persons as have been named by the president.
    Woolford also noted that Merle Jordan’s presence on the investigation committee could not be proper because she was also under investigation for another matter.
    He further stated that a unanimous decision could not have been taken since neither himself nor Andrews was given a hearing and that GABA had no affiliated clubs or players for the 2003-2004 period.
    “GABA has neither club nor player affiliated to it since they - even after repeated letters which I wrote to them - have not registered for the year 2003-2004. Their affiliation ended in July 2003,” Woolford claimed.
    Meanwhile, a press conference was hosted by Woolford and Andrews earlier in the day from which Douglas and his wife, Fowler and Vijay Panday were asked to leave.
    Woolford said it was a meeting at which the presence of the president was not needed, but Douglas told Chronicle Sport that he was invited to the press conference.
    The expelled officials’ conference dealt mainly with the clarification of issues raised by Douglas at a previous press conference.
    Asked about the debt incurred in St Lucia, Woolford said that he could not comment on it because the documents produced by Douglas from the Harbour Lights Inn and the president’s associate Didus Feddy were being reviewed by his lawyer.
    Woolford claimed a number of discrepancies were discovered and the findings would be released at a later date.

  • "I had no dealings with money for the tour"
  • By Clyde Pestano - Stabroek News November 20, 2003
    Herbert Adams, the coach who accompanied the combined schools under-19 team which toured St. Lucia recently, says he had no dealings with monies before, during or after the tour.
    Speaking with Stabroek Sport yesterday the coach said: "I want to make it clear, I was not involved in any financial dealings or administrative arrangements for the tour with regards to sponsorship or any other such matter." He added that all he was supposed to do was coach and that is exactly what he did.
    The self-employed businessman disclosed that he only got his ticket for the tour when he went to the airport the day after the team had left. He said that he travelled to St. Lucia along with GABA secretary Perry Woolford, Steve Neils Jr., and Dorian Adams who had been injured in a motorcycle accident prior to the team's selection.
    The coach emphasised that he would like the public to know "I was not associated in any way in any money arrangements with Mr. Woolford and or Mr. Andrews."
    According to the coach, he got involved with the tour due to a request by GABA treasurer Eon Andrews for him to look at some under-19 players who were participating in the Solutions 2000 Inc. schools tournament earlier this year. According to him his job then was to help select a team which would eventually represent Guyana in St. Lucia.
    Adams claimed that Woolford had asked him orally to accompany the team to St Lucia. He also said that he had a letter from GABA president Raphael Douglas which he had requested, appointing him as coach during the time when the Georgetown schools were competing in the schools tournament. He maintained too that he was not paid any money and his services were for free because of his love for the game and the up-liftment of the youths who play basketball.
    He added: "I was never hired." However, Adams said he was promised payment for his services but has not received a cent. Quizzed as to why he stuck with the team even though he had reservations, Adams said at one point he had wanted to pull out of the entire under-19 preparations for the tour, even before the former designated assistant coach Brian Carter had pulled out.
    According to him he stayed on because he wanted to finish what he had started with the youngsters. He said, "I wanted to pull out because I was not too happy with certain arrangements but I stayed because I had made a commitment. I also thought that the tour would have been beneficial for the youngsters since exposure is always good."
    According to him the Guyanese were told that they would be playing five games but they only played three. In addition he said that the people in St. Lucia did not seem to be expecting them since at this time netball is the major sport being played on the Island.
    He said that he was also under the impression that there would have been scouts looking to spot talented players in the Guyana team but there were none during the games.

  • Basketball body suspends secretary, treasurer...
    Probe into St Lucia trip underway
  • By Clyde Pestano - Stabroek News November 19, 2003
    Guyana Amateur Basketball Association's president Raphael Douglas (centre) makes a point during yesterday's press conference (Lawrence Fanfair photo).
    Raphael Douglas, president of the Guyana Amateur Basketball Association (GABA) said yesterday that a special general meeting of the association has passed a unanimous motion to suspend secretary Perry Woolford and treasurer Eon Andrews pending the results of an investigation into irregularities which occurred during an under-19 tour to St Lucia.
    Douglas also said that Sonia Williams, a receptionist at the Harbour Light Inn in St Lucia, was to come to Guyana soon to deal with issues arising from a debt incurred at the Inn during a recent visit by Guyana's U-19 basketball players.
    Douglas revealed this during an interview with Stabroek Sport after the conclusion of a press conference yesterday at the association's headquarters on New Market Street, to update the media on the team's visit and events which transpired during and after the tour.
    During the briefing, Douglas read a letter faxed to him by Williams in which she documented the stay of Guyana's under-19 squad.
    According to the letter, on October 24, 2003, 19 members of the touring party arrived in St Lucia and Andrews, who was manager of the team gave Williams US$288 for one night's stay. She said she was assured that Woolford would pay the balance on his arrival the next day. The letter said that Woolford and two other persons arrived the next day and assured the Inn that costs arising from the team's board would be paid the following day.
    However, the letter said, just prior to the team's departure on October 29, a Mr Didus Fedee undertook full responsibility for the payment of the EC$4,049.20, which was outstanding.
    Contacted yesterday, Woolford said that he had placed the matter in his lawyer's hands and would prefer not to comment.
    Meanwhile, the GABA president was adamant that the tour to St Lucia was sanctioned by his organization. Douglas was responding to a claim by Woolford in another section of the media that the tour was not sanctioned by the GABA.
    The president presented correspondence documenting a trip to St Lucia in February this year by Woolford and his (Douglas's) wife to make plans for the tour.
    According to Douglas, the squad of youngsters was to participate in the St Lucia Under-19 schools' basketball tournament. He added that he had designated Woolford and Andrews as the officials to accompany the young men. According to him, they were given full responsibility for the venture along with Hubert Adams, the coach. He said that he was deeply involved with the planning and promotion of the Yohance Douglas Memorial Basketball Tourna-ment and as such had left the overseas tournament in their hands.
    He added that he was given oral reports which assured that everything was "going fine".
    The president said it was after the team returned that he realized that everything was not as it seemed.
    Douglas said that the matter was under investigation and that Woolford and Andrews have been suspended. He said this course of action was taken after he summoned a special general meeting and they failed to show up.
    He said the meeting passed a unanimous motion to suspend the duo. According to him in the interim they have been replaced by Dwayne Fowler and Riad Boyce as acting secretary and treasurer respectively.
    The GABA president apologised on his own behalf and on behalf of the GABA to the parents and guardians of the under-19 squad. He said he accepted that he was also to blame since as president he should have ensured that certain controls were in place.

  • Verbal battle rages between GABA factions
  • By Leeron Brumell - Guyana Chronicle, November 17, 2003
    GEORGETOWN Amateur Basketball Association (GABA) has set up a four-member committee to investigate the alleged irregularities in the Under-19 tour to St Lucia.
    The committee comprises GABA Raffel Douglas, vice-president Michael Singh, Pepsi Sonics president Merle Jordan and Dennis Clarke, who will be trying to ascertain why and how secretary Perry Woolford had incurred a $300 000 debt during the trip; how much money parents contributed to the tour, and other complaints by players.
    Douglas told Chronicle Sport that a letter would be sent to Woolford today, informing him of a suspension of his duties until the investigation is complete -- a decision taken by GABA executives after two meetings with parents and players on Saturday.
    Contacted about the matter, Woolford told Chronicle Sport that he was appalled by an article in another section of the media, Saturday, that Douglas was shocked at the EC$4000 debt.
    Woolford said he was not denying that they have a debt of that amount, but was puzzled as to why the president had made such a comment. He said that he faxed a letter to the St Lucian Hotel assuring them that the bill would be paid.
    The beleaguered secretary Woolford also said that the matter Douglas raised was a personal matter. The article alleged that Woolford had gone behind Douglas’ back to get one of his business associates to sign as a guarantor.
    Woolford said that he never did such a thing and was now calling on Douglas to give the name of his associate and his business.
    The secretary is of the view that Douglas is feeling ‘left out’ because he does not have the support of his executives.
    “First of all let me make it clear, GABA nor the president were in no way associated with the Under-19 tour to St. Lucia, so what he is saying has no bearing and I will not be intimidated,” Woolford declared.
    Woolford revealed that the players called him to a meeting to say that they wanted Douglas to play no part in their tour after he had made defamatory remarks about them when they played a warm-up match against Kings. He disclosed that the players staged a walkout of the Yohance Douglas tournament after the incident.
    According to Woolford, Douglas then appointed a senior player to select a separate team to replace the Under-19 for the tour, if the new team should beat them.
    Woolford claimed he kept the matter and others under cover because the team was under tremendous pressure. He and the manager Eon Andrews said the article was inaccurate, stating that the players were starved at times and Marvin Wray was sacked as captain.
    Co-captain Alan Mentis denied the story. He told Chronicle Sport that every day he would ensure that the team had meals and those who claimed to have been starved were the ones who refused to eat with the team, a group that Woolford dubbed the ‘Rebel Five’ who separated themselves from the rest of the team and one even threatened Woolford’s life.

  • Plaisance Clippers reign over Emperors...
    Yohance Douglas Memorial Basketball U-19 final
  • By Clyde Pestano - Stabroek News, November 11, 2003
    Plaisance Clippers Basketball Club last Sunday night out-hustled and out-scored Emperors Basketball Club on their way to winning the Yohance Douglas Memorial Basketball under-19 title at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.
    It was truly a fairy-tale win for the underdogs who were not given much o a chance when the tournament began. However, they stuck to their `guns' with a tenacity that belied their ages and size to pull off what can be termed a major upset by defeating the highlyfavoured Emperors.
    With the best-of-three series level at one game each, it was all to play for in the third game.
    From jump-ball the Clippers showed they meant business and forced the Emperors to play their fast attacking transition game. This opened up the Emperors' defence to the extent that by the end of the first period they opened up a nine-point lead 21-12 to steal the early honours.
    When the game resumed in the second quarter the Clippers continued `clipping' away at the Emperors `throne' and doubled their score early in that period 30-15. They continued to pile up the points and the pressure with an amazing dexterity which thrilled the crowd, seemingly, mostly pro-Plaisance, and by half-time extended their first-quarter lead of nine, to 14, 40-26.
    During the half-time break the fans were treated to a sequence of dances by some dancers from Berbice.
    The third quarter saw the Emperors make a valiant effort to get back into the game as they strove to write off the first-half 14-point deficit. They trimmed it by half to be behind by seven at the end of the third, 42-49, giving them a glimmer of hope.
    As the fourth quarter began the Emperors scored two quick baskets to narrow the gap on the Clippers by three, behind 46-49. However, that was the closest they got to the lead as the Clippers regrouped and extended their lead once again, putting the Emperors out of reach for the remainder of the game. They eventually prevailed by eight points 67-59 to earn a well-deserved victory.
    After the game buzzer sounded their supporters swarmed the court to congratulate them in a wild frenzy as they could barely contain their exuberance with the result.
    Quincy Wright was the man-of-the-moment with a game-high 21 points while Ryan Burnett supported with 17. For the Emperors Lloyd Powley had another good game with 16 points while teammates Terrence Green and Jermaine Bowman supported with 14 points each.
    Coach of the Clippers Mensah Fox told Stabroek Sport that his team won because of what he described as very `hard' defence. The coach said that his team deserved to win because they fought well and were inspired because of being labelled underdogs in the tournament. He added that he was very satisfied with the result after the hard work they put in.
    In the other final of the night in the corporations' category, Banks DIH upset NIS who were the favourites to take that title, with a hard-fought three-point win.
    The match was evenly contested from jump-ball as both teams fought tooth and nail for the upper hand. However, Banks got the better of the early skirmishes and at the end of the first period were ahead by two 15-13. The second quarter saw a similar pattern of play with the scores being tied at 17, 19, 21 and 23 but Banks broke the tie to be ahead by two at half time 25-23.
    The third quarter was the best segment of the game for Banks as they extended their lead to six, ahead 50-46. With all to play for and the title at stake NIS rebounded well in the opening salvoes of the fourth and managed to take the lead 55-54 with 3:27 left in the game. However that was the last time in the game that they were able to lead as Banks held on to win 60-57.
    Flagen Carter was once again Banks' leading light with 16 points while Adrian Adams had 12. For NIS Marvin Hartman scored a game-high 24 points.
    In an exhibition game Scorpions thrashed Kings of Linden by a whopping 32 points 74-42. At the end of the first half the Scorpions had `stung' their way to a 14-point lead 33-19. Rawle Conway had 15 points for the Scorpions while Steve Neils jr scored a game-high 17 points for Kings and teammate Omali Sampson 16.

  • St. Lucia Shocker -Inn owed $300,000 after basketball tour -GABA secretary fingered
  • By Clyde Pestano - Stabroek News, November 15, 2003
    President of the Guyana Amateur Basketball Associat-ion (GABA) Raphael Douglas has confirmed that the Harbour Light Inn in Vide Boutielle, Castries, St. Lucia is indeed owed money after the recent stay of Guyana's under-19 basketballers there.
    Douglas was responding to a number of queries by this newspaper about the recent trip by the team to that island supposedly to participate in the secondary schools' annual championships.
    He disclosed that the secretary of the GABA Perry Woolford incurred the debt after `going behind his back' and making contact with a business associate of his and inducing him to sign a promissory note to honour the debt. Stabroek Sport had been reliably informed before Douglas' `confirmation' that the debt to the Inn was to the tune of $300,000 or approximately $EC4000.
    The GABA president said that his secretary (Woolford) sought out his associate, a St. Lucian, unknown to him and convinced him that he (Douglas) was seeking the funds to cover their stay at the Inn. However, Douglas yesterday vehemently denied that he had ever sanctioned such a request by Woolford. He added that he was terribly embarrassed and at a loss to explain what happened because it came as a shock to him.
    Asked whether the team had enough funds to cover their stay in St. Lucia before they left Guyana, the president said he relied on the assurances of the secretary who assured him that everything was OK with their finances for the trip. "I was under the impression that Perry had enough money! He said everything is good, everybody is going." He added, "I did not send Perry to collect any money."
    Douglas revealed also that since Woolford has returned from the trip he has not met with him nor has he presented an official report on the trip. The president said that the locals left Guyana as ambassadors and it was a shame what happened adding that he feels betrayed since he has known Woolford for many years.
    He said that he is seeking legal advice on what steps to take next as he seeks to sort out the matter. Douglas added that Woolford has insulted the entire media fraternity because in the run-up to the tour he sought the widest press coverage for the trip but upon his return he has not gone after the same attention, probably because of what had transpired.
    The president also highlighted that he was surprised to know that Steve Neils Jr. who was not officially named as a player nor an official went on the trip and in fact represented the locals. He added that Brian Carter had been identified as assistant coach and he was not aware that he was replaced until he saw media reports of the games.
    Asked about the sacking of Marvin Wray as captain, Douglas could not shed any light since according to him he is still awaiting a report from the secretary.
    Douglas was asked what action will be taken against Woolford and he told this newspaper that he has summoned a special general meeting today which has on its agenda the immediate removal of the secretary as a member of GABA. According to the president he will be presenting evidence at the meeting of Woolford's `misdemeanors' including the promissory notes which are being sent from St. Lucia.
    Manager of the team, former national basketballer Eon Andrews was also taken to task by Douglas who told Stabroek Sport that he too has not presented any official report. The president disclosed that Andrews told him that he does not have to present any report to him, rather he is only answerable to the Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation. Douglas emphasized that Andrews was sent to St. Lucia by the GABA. He added that he is flabbergasted at Andrews' response and said that he is wondering what was the former player's agenda at this juncture.
    More than two weeks ago the Under-19 basketball players returned to Guyana. Several of the players who spoke to Stabroek Sport a few days after their return told this newspaper that they were left hungry at certain times and had to fend for themselves during their stay. They are also questioning the purpose of their visit since according to them they were misled as to their purpose there. They claimed that they were told that scouts from the USA would have been at the games to `spot' players who had talent to play at colleges or even the NBA.
    However, they said that to their utmost disappointment no scout was at the games nor were they told why they were not present by GABA officials. They added that the trip was just that, a trip and nothing else since they have nothing to show for their efforts other than a stamp in their passports showing that they went to St. Lucia.
    They said that they were extremely disappointed at what transpired and would like the GABA to explain to the public and their parents what really happened.
    Several calls to the secretary's cell number for a comment proved futile.

  • Bounty Colts sweep Pacesetters -Yohance Douglas Memorial Basketball finals
  • By Clyde Pestano - Stabroek News, November 10, 2003
    Bounty Colts Basketball Club in the wee hours of yesterday morning was able to snatch the Yohance Douglas Memorial Basketball (Senior) title from nemesis Courts Pacesetters at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall. The result means that they have made a clean-sweep (2-0) of their two-best-in-three series with the Pacesetters. The game which ended at 1:00am was lost to the Pacesetters at the end of the third quarter when they fell behind badly by 13 points 44-57. They tried their best to overcome this deficit in the fourth period but failed as the Colts gained `sweet’ revenge after losing 2-1 to the Pacesetters earlier in the year.
    As the game unfolded it became apparent that the Colts wanted the title more badly than Courts as they unsettled them with tough physical play. The Colts played like a team `possessed’ especially in the final quarter as they literally `shut-down’ the Pacesetters while they set the pace. So effective were their efforts that they held the Pacesetters to just 10 points in the final quarter while they had 16 in an inspired performance.
    From jump ball the Colts let the Pacesetters know who would be kings by taking an early 11 point lead 13-2 with just 2:55 left in the first quarter. However, Courts called time out at this stage of the game and rallied well to be behind by just three at the end of the first, 14-17. The early exchanges in the second period was the best segment of the game for the Pacesetters as they took the lead at 18-17 and extended it further by four at 21-17.
    The Colts sensing that they were losing the initiative called a time out. On the resumption they did well to tie the game at 21 and then kicked in their heels as they motored on to a six point lead at half time, 36-30. The crucial third quarter began with Courts exhibiting signs of a renaissance when they battled back to take the lead at 39-38. However, the Colts would not be denied and that was the last time in the game that the Pacesetters were in the lead. In the final three minutes of the third, the champions outscored the Pacesetters 17-6 in a blitz from which they never recovered.
    When the fourth quarter began it soon became evident that it would take a herculean effort on the part of Pacesetters to surpass a `worked-up’ and emotionally charged Colts team. With 2:07 remaining in the game and the Colts ahead by 21, 69-48, some fans who seemed to be supporters of the Pacesetters started to trudge out of the venue with their faces a mixture of disappointment and bewilderment at the impending demise of their team.
    In contrast Bounty Colts’ fans were whooping in delight and poking fun at the remaining Courts supporters with some good-natured heckling. The Colts did not disappoint them and powered on to win by a massive 20 points 73-53.
    Clarence Bennett was once again the Colts’ man-of-the-moment with a game-high 25 points and up and coming `star’ Kerwin Blades dazzled for 22 while Dane Kendall had a solid 18 points. For the Pacesetters Stephon Henry had 16 points and Horace Hodge 12.
    Colts’ Captain Rondal Murphy who spoke with Stabroek Sport after the game said that sweet was too mild a word to describe their victory. According to him their triumph was especially sweet, since they were out to prove who are the `real’ champions. He added that their win was also important since Courts must now respect the fact that they are an outstanding team even without the services of their `star’ player Andrew Ifill. Murphy boasted that his team is on the way to establishing a lasting legacy in basketball in Guyana as they seek to win more matches and tournaments.
    Stabroek Sport observed a number of Colts players and fans actually sweeping the basketball court with brooms, symbolic of their clean sweep of the Pacesetters.
    In the second game of the women’s finals, Pepsi Sonics levelled their three game series clash against Courts Pacesetters (females) 1-1 with a pulsating three point victory. In that game Pepsi Sonics held the upper hand for most of the time but lapses almost cost them the game. At one point in the first half they led by as much as 17 with the score 33-16. Half time saw the Sonics enjoy an eight point lead 37-29 as they consolidated with good all round ball distribution. However, Courts came back with a bang in the early exchanges of the second half and in fact were able to take the lead at 40-39 with approximately 16:00 left in the 20 minute second half. It was an exhilarating and nerve wrangling `affair’ subsequently as the lead changed `hands’ on a regular basis. With 8:17 left Pepsi held a slight three point edge 53-50 in a `war of attrition’ as both sides started to tire. The scores were tied at 55 and 58 and with Pepsi ahead 60-59 they called a strategic time out with 53.3 left in the game. They moved further ahead 61-59 but Courts battled back to tie the game at 61 with 31.0 remaining. One of two free throws gave the Sonics the lead 62-61 and another lay up after a Courts turnover gave them victory as they held on and `ran out’ the remaining time. For the Sonics Natasha Andrews and Temike Joseph both had 10 points while Nicola Jacobs continued to impress with a game high 19 points and her teammate Tamika Alphonso assisted with 12.
    Merle Joseph coach of the Sonics told Stabroek Sport that her side this time around played with much more composure and determination than they did in the first game. She added that her team’s strategy was to `burn’ out the Courts team in the first half while they rested key players. The coach is predicting a 20 point victory margin for her team in the final when the teams meet again on Wednesday, based on the way they played game two.
    In the third-place play-off game, Courts junior men defeated a game but inexperienced Plaisance Patriots Academy side by six points. At half time the Patriots enjoyed a comfortable 11 point lead 40-29 but the Courts side went on a 10-0 run at the start of the second half to move to within one point of he lead. As they grim struggle for third place play off rights unfolded the game was tied at 43, 48, 54 and 63. With 2:10 left in the game Courts suddenly found their shooting and defensive `zones’ and eked out victory after they converted several turnovers by the Patriots in the dying seconds to earn a well-deserved win.
    For the Pacesetters Ryan Gullen had 16 points and Devon Fredericks 15 while Enoch Matthews poured in a game high 34 for the Patriots.

  • Howard Peters - Guyana’s only FIBA referee
  • By Joe Chapman in New York - Guyana Chronicle December 10, 2003
    BROOKLYN, New York City - It goes back a quarter of a century to November 26, 1978, when the first Guyanese basketball officials John Yates and Cecil Chin were accorded the status of International Basketball Federation (FIBA) referees with their ‘carnets’ (licences).
    Now almost one year after missing re-certification clinics in Puerto Rico held on November 8-10 and the other from November 14-16 in Nassau, the Bahamas, Howard Peters is Guyana's only FIBA accepted referee.
    Significantly, Peters is one of just 17 from the known English-speaking Caricom region, with a FIBA licence.
    Now residing in the United States, Peters vividly remembers last year when he was unable to attend the two re-certification clinics, following Guyana's non-participation at the Caribbean Championships a few months earlier in St Thomas, US Virgin Islands. Then, like now, it seemed that Guyana had taken a back seat at all basketball activities after once being in the forefront in the administration of the sport in the English-speaking Caribbean.
    Guyana, one recalls, attempted the first-ever Caribbean Championships in 1976 and five years later successfully staged the inaugural Caricom Championship in 1981.
    Peters was furious about the prospects of his FIBA validation being revoked and his doubtful participation as an international referee representing Guyana.
    But today he is proud that he will be eligible to continue to serve Guyana, at the least, at the Caribbean Zone level.
    Last year, however, Peters recalls voicing his concern to president of the Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF) Colonel Godwin McPherson (Ret.) about not attending the re-certification clinics and McPherson promised him that the matter would have been sorted out by the GABF.
    One year after, Peters is less concerned, and now satisfied, as he continues to be one of the best referees in the region.
    Last year when Guyana made a tour of Antigua for a goodwill series after failing to reach the US Virgin Islands-hosted Caribbean Championships for reasons not yet known, Peters officiated in the final of the Leeward Islands Championship.
    He has been a FIBA referee since 1997 and was re-certified in 1999 in Trinidad and Tobago. The following year, while not compelled to do the test for the two-year licence runs, a fitness fanatic, he successfully passed the test at the Barbados-staged CARICOM Championships.
    But he was worried about being struck off FIBA’s international referees list and a bit disappointed with not being given the chance to attend the clinics conducted by FIBA officials Alberto Garcia and Fred Hogan in Puerto Rico and Glyne Clarke and Hogan in the Bahamas.
    In what is now the restructured Caribbean Zone area of operation, FIBA has recognised 50 referees and they are from Aruba, Belize, Guyana, Jamaica, St Kitts and St Vincent and the Grenadines with one each, the Bahamas and Barbados four each, St Lucia five, Cuba seven, Puerto Rico ten and Dominican Republic 14.

  • Basketball tour to St Lucia - Caribbean Star to sue Woolford
  • By Clyde Pestano - Stabroek News December 5, 2003
    Managing Director of Caribbean Star Airlines in Guyana, Khakan Ramjohn has disclosed that he intends to sue former Georgetown Amateur Basketball Association (GABA) secretary Perry Woolford for monies owed to the airline.
    Ramjohn confirmed that the airline was owed over $150,000 after a visit to St Lucia last month by a group of U-19 basketball players.
    He said that Woolford had acquired credit at the airline because he had produced a letter with the GABA letterhead (seen by this newspaper) requesting quotations for 20 players for the tour.
    The former secretary according to Ramjohn had beseeched his staff to give the group a reduced fare for the trip, and he (Ramjohn) had given his blessing since it was a tour which was supposed to give the young players an opportunity of a lifetime.
    According to Ramjohn, the former secretary could not have obtained such credit on his own behalf. He added that the airline usually assists church and sporting groups with reduced fares from time to time in an effort to assist persons who may genuinely need help. However, he said that Woolford's action may have the effect of the airline turning down such requests in the future.
    He said, "I'm very disappointed, we are destroying our name abroad and we are also disappointing the children," adding, "we gave them the cheapest rates.
    Very sad! I'm very sad what has happened."
    Ever since the return of the players and officials from St Lucia, numerous reports about financial impropriety and irregular practices have surfaced in relation to the tour.
    It has been revealed that the Harbour Light Inn in St Lucia is owed $4049.20 EC for accommodation and meals.
    This debt was assumed by Didus Fedee, a St Lucian who said that he was induced to sign a promissory note covering the sum by Woolford. Woolford had promised to send him the money when he returned to Guyana but has failed to do so nearly one month after.