• Bobby Cadogan: From basketball player to coach
  • Monday, November 27th 2006
    One of the most talented athletes to be found in Guyana during the 1980s was Bobby Cadogan. Cadogan excelled at a number of sport disciplines including athletics, in which he was one of the few local athletes to use the Fosbury Flop style of jumping in local competitions. He, however, left athletics for the sport of basketball where his high-jumping ability and good shooting skills saw him quickly making a name for himself. He was soon on the national team. Now, years later, Cadogan is one of the few local coaches whose dedication to the sport of basketball has been observed. As such, Stabroek Sport thought it fitting to do a feature on Cadogan ranging from his early days in the sport, to his present stint as head coach of Courts Pacesetters.
    Following is the interview.
    SS: When did your basketball playing days begin?
    BC: My playing days began at age 13 while I attended the Multilateral Secondary School.
    SS: What were some of the motivating factors that led you to take up the game of basketball?
    BC: First of all I must tell you that basketball was not my first love; playing cricket was. However, when I started high school I was influenced by watching the older boys playing on the school's basketball court, so during Physical Education periods, I began playing. From there, after school, Burnham Basketball court was the place where the best players in Georgetown played. Saturday mornings was the time for the little boys to play on the court so I took full advantage of this along with friends from my neighbourhood (Queenstown) to develop my game.
    SS: Who was your first coach and describe your early days as a club player?
    BC: The first club I played for was the King Alpha Basketball Club and my first coach was Tyrone Caesar. The first two years of club basketball was somewhat bitter-sweet because we were the second-placed team at the third-division level behind the High Flyers Basketball Club but minutes on the court were hard to come for me. Three minutes per game was a lot for me. The next year (1981), I joined the Pacesetters Basketball club and ever since then, I've been a Pacesetter.
    SS: What was the strongest part of your game and what area did you consider as your greatest weakness?
    BC: As a player I was very athletic, so because of my ability, rebounding, shot blocking, picking up steals and jump shooting all were areas that I excelled in but I would say playing defence was the part that players in my days, had a passion for. On weakness, I would say in my view I had no weakness. I was always working on my game mentally and physically.
    SS: What was your most memorable club game?
    BC: So many to choose from. I remember a final against High Flyers where my teammate Mark Agard either took a shot or made a pass to me that I dunked over about four of the High Flyers players. In my days dunking in traffic was a major highlight.
    SS: Describe your feelings when you were first called up for the national team?
    BC: My first call for national duty was when I was just 19 years of age. This was a wonderful day for me. There were a total of 30 players that were called into camp. The squad was trimmed to 15 players of which I was a part of, and then 12 were chosen to leave the country. I did not make the final 12 but I told myself that the next time I wouldn't miss out. The following year I made the senior national team and was a member until 1998. To play for Guyana, the land of my birth was the crowning of my basketball playing years. Today, it's easier to make the national team than in the 80s and 90s. Back then, to play for the national team you had to be skilled, highly disciplined and above all you had to be tough. In those days sports in general was considered as war in peacetime, no jokes.
    SS: As a senior National player give some of your most treasured moments;
    BC: I've played in the Caricom championships on a number of occasions where our teams have favoured well although we never won the whole tournament. I remember that The Bahamas, Jamaica and Trinidad were the major powerhouses that we had to come up against and I must say that a lot of times in the early days The Bahamas was one team that had our number up until 1996! That year we gave them the whipping that was the talk of the tournament. They were blown away by 30-odd points. You see players from Guyana were and still are usually smaller in size than most of our opponents outside of Guyana so we learned over the years that in such situations the most suitable playing style to use was to out run our opponents offensively and play an aggressive defensive style, in other words all out hustle, players gave 110% to play team defence and team offence.
    SS: Were you ever apart of the Linden /Georgetown basketball rivalry?
    BC: Sure, yes of course there was nothing in local basketball that was as exciting as a Linden / Georgetown encounter. The people of Linden are very passionate for their teams in any sport, be it football, athletics or basketball. They have the best players outside of the city; their fans came with bells by busloads to support them. The fans in Georgetown came out in large numbers to these games creating an overwhelming atmosphere. Players live for these moments playing before an oversized crowd that cheered for every shot, every steal, looking back there was nothing better; the worse thing that could happen was for a player to choke under the pressure, that player would have to live with that as a sour memory people made names for you that went with you everywhere you go. There were times the pressure was so much that players some times scored in their own basket. Some of the names given to players were " Spin And Shoot", "Micro", and "Sellout".
    SS: Who was your toughest opponent when playing against Linden?
    BC: There were two that stood out above all others, Wayne Andres and Auric Tappin. These guys knew how to play the game and put their all on the line whenever they played and they had a reputation of performing well. My toughest opponents in Georgetown were Leon Christian, Nigel Hinds and Troy Thomas from High Flyers. Then in the 90s the Mohan brothers, Lugard and Orin (Baby).
    SS: With all the great memories of your playing days, how are you giving back to the game of basketball today?
    BC: Presently I'm the head coach of the Courts Pacesetters Basketball Club, I'm also actively involved in organizing tournaments. I've been a part of basketball clinics in Berbice and Linden and also I am a member of the Georgetown Amateur Basket-ball Association.
    SS: Seeing that you're actively involved in the game today, could you say what is different about the way Basketball is played today as compared to your early playing days?
    BC: Today players are not as committed to playing team basketball as in my days. Players today don't have a defensive mindset; basketball is played individually which hinders team potential. Players in Guyana are more talented individually but they lack the basic skills that enable team involvement. Players in Guyana need greater motivation, they need international exposure, more coaches and game officials are also needed along with more local competitions. I'm also sure that if a few Television stations could show NBA basketball games weekly the public awareness would be awakened; more of the youths in our society would be motivated to use their time efficiently.
    SS: Which player today reminds you of the way you played in your hey day?
    BC: That player would be none other than Andrew "Mr. Dunk" Ifill.
    SS: Who were your favourite NBA players during your playing years and also those among today's players?
    BC: First on my list is Michael Jordan, then Dominique Wilkins, Clyde Drexler, Larry Bird and Magic Johnson.
    For the players playing today Tracy McGrady, Dwayne Wade, Lebron James, Allen Iverson, and of course Kobe Bryant along with Jermaine O'Neal and "the Diesel" Shaquille O'Neal.
    SS: What are some of the things necessary for the development of basketball in Guyana.
    BC: The role of the media is critical for the development of the game of Basketball. Basketball needs to be resurrected in this country, we need more sponsors, players need to be exposed to modern sports methods to raise their level of play, coaches are needed at the school levels etc.
    SS: Thanks Bobby Cadogan! And keep up the good work for our youth and basketball.

  • East Bank Basketball Tournament:
    Herstelling, Mocha & Bagotstown remain strong
  • Wednesday, November 22nd 2006
    Herstelling, Mocha-Arcadia and Bagotstown secured wins when the East Bank Basketball Championships continued last Sunday at the Burnham Basketball Court.
    Herstelling defeated Grove 45-39 with a strong contribution from Orel Webster who scored 17 points.
    At halftime in the Mocha-Arcadia and Agricola match, Mocha led by 13 points over the opposition's 12 points. Mocha maintained that momentum in the second half and won the match 36-29. Neville Craig and Dellon Gurrick top scored for the winners with 16 and 12 points respectively.
    Bagotstown's Kwesi Roberts put up 23 points with 3 three pointers to secure the win for his team in a close encounter with Supply. Darren Thomas added a useful 10 as Bagotstown won with 47-33 points. At halftime Bagotstown held a slim three-point lead and held on for the win in the second half. The tournament continues next Sunday.

  • Mocha, Herstelling & Barama score wins in East Bank Basketball Tourney
  • Tuesday, November 14th 2006
    The East Bank Basketball Championship played on Sunday at Burnham Court saw wins for Mocha Arcadia, Herstelling Magic and Barama.
    In the first match Mocha Arcadia won against Supply/Soesdyke 38-35. In what was a close encounter, Mocha Arcadia held a slim lead at the start of half time and held on for the win with top scorer Delon Gurrick adding 15 points to the total.
    In game two McDoom Kings went down to Herstelling 47-41.
    The Kings regrouped at the end of a weak first half performance which gave Herstelling a 14-point lead, to close the gap.
    Adrian scored a game high of 17 points in his team's losing effort while Herstelling's Clebert Tornhill scored 15 points. In another close finish Barama defeated Bagotstown 39-36 in the final match of the afternoon.
    The tournament continues next Sunday with match-ups between Grove and Herstelling, Agricola and Mocha, McDoom and Timehri and the final game is between Supply/Soesdyke and Bagotstown.

  • Scorpions, Nets & Courts Pacesetters at top of GABA competition
  • Tuesday, November 14th 2006
    Scorpions, Nets and Courts Pacesetters are at the top of the board in the Georgetown Amateur Basketball Association competition with two games apiece after two weekends of competition.
    Legends, Pepsi Sonics and Eagles remain winless with the Legends losing their second match last Sunday to the Macabean Rangers at the National Sports Hall. Rangers secured their first win in the competition beating Legends 76-72.
    And Pacesetters scored a blowout win against Pepsi Sonics beating them 66-43 to secure their second win of the competition. A stronger looking Ravens team beat Bounty Colts who were denied a second victory the final score being 70-53.
    Disciples secured one win after Eagles were disqualified in their first match against them. The action continues on Friday night at the Sports Hall.

  • Legends lose again
  • THE Legends, the city’s newest basketball team, have failed to live up to their name so far in the Georgetown Amateur Basketball Association (GABA) Super League, losing their first two games.
    In their first, last weekend at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, they lost to the Nets, while on Saturday night they lost to the Maccabean Rangers 76-72. In that game, shooting guard Hodayah Stewart was instrumental for the winners, he scored 29 points, while Akene Mars assisted with 17.
    Legends can argue that in both games they played without lead scorer Andrew Ifill. Doing the bulk of the scoring on Saturday night were Eugene Kingston (15) and Clairmonte Bascom (11).
    Game two saw Pacesetters recording their second victory (first against Ravens) of the league, with a 23-point whipping over Pepsi Sonics 66-43.
    Ryan Gullen powered his way inside to 13 points while Stephan Gillis contributed 10. For the Sonics, experienced players--point guard Ryan Melville and small forward Richard Braithwaite led the attack with 11 and eight points respectively.
    In the feature game, Ravens with some of their key players back in the line-up made light work of Bounty Colts with a 70-53 win. Power forward/centre Damien Liverpool scored 19 for the winners, while Rodwell Fortune and Ryan Stephney chipped in with 12 and 10 respectively.For the Colts it was veteran centre Dayne Kendall who was able to muscle inside, scoring 18 points.
    Play in the league is expected to continue on Friday night at the same venue.

  • Nets and Scorpions come out on top
  • Sunday, November 12th 2006
    The Georgetown Basketball 2006/2007 season continued on Friday night at the National Sports Hall with the previously embattled Eagles going down to the Nets by 19 points. The Nets won the second game of the evening 83-64 with good performances by Triston Tulloch and Mortimer Williams.
    Williams scored 15 points and eight rebounds while his teammate Tulloch scored 13 points and seven rebounds. The Nets held the lead at the end of each quarter steadily increasing it all the way through.
    Eagles' Adrian Hooper put in a good performance for his team scoring 17 points and B. McCurdy scored 12 points. The first game of the evening saw the Disciples losing to the Scorpions 76-61. The Scorpions were leading at the end of the first quarter 17-13 points but the Disciples clawed their way back to a one-point lead at the end of the second quarter.
    However, the Scorpions stepped up the pressure and took the lead in the third quarter, and never looked back. Bringing it for the Scorpions was Darren Gordon who scored 14 points, four rebounds, and three assists.
    On the Disciples side, Enoch Matthews and Marlon Chesney did most of the work in their team's losing bid with the former scoring 21 points, 10 rebounds and four steals. Chesney brought home 16 points and six steals.
    The action continued last night with the Legends coming up against the Macabean Rangers, the Pepsi Sonics versus the Courts Pace Setters and the Ravens against the Bounty Colts.

  • GABA WILL NOT ACCEPT LABA’S SUSPENSION OF “BROWN SUGAR” ROBERTS SAYS BOWMAN
  • LINDEN (GB):- The Georgetown Amateur Basketball Association (GABA) has written the Linden Amateur Basketball Association (LABA) regarding LABA’s suspension of national centre Dwayne “Brown Sugar” Roberts, a player registered with the city body through his club Ravens.
    Roberts and the Kashif and Shanghai Kings’ national centre Jason Alonzo and power forward Dale Williamson were involved in fight which caused the abandonment of the invitational game between the two club sides with less than a minute remaining and Kings ahead, at the Mackenzie Sports Club hard court on Saturday, September 23, 2006.
    In a letter dated September 29, 2006, the LABA had informed GABA that “Mr. Dwayne Roberts of the Ravens basketball club is suspended for a period of twenty-four months from all competitive and other basketball related activities and is banned from all basketball venues for this period.”
    According to Bowman “the GABA takes seriously any form of indisci0line that threatens the integrity of the game, and is therefore deeply concerned about the incident which occurred in Linden on September 23, 2006".
    The GABA president then said “However, it is the policy of this association to follow a clear disciplinary process, that can be justified and allow for due process, when carrying out any form of investigations and enforcing penalties.”
    According to Bowman “this process includes proper reporting of incidents and involves all parties. In this case the players involved, referees, team managers and both associations must be involved in the investigation process before any decision could be reached.”
    Behind this reasoning the top GABA official said “we have reasons to believe that these guidelines were not followed, yet your association has reached a decision, without being able to establish clearly the grounds on which the player in question has been penalised. The absence of the process in this case, we believe, has severely damaged the credibility of your decision.
    In taking this into consideration Bowman informed LABA that “as a result of these consequences we can’t accept your ruling and will neither support nor recognise any action which is deemed unconstitutional and can’t be properly justified.”
    In closing Bowman said his association was looking forward to receiving a full report from LABA which would better guide their judgment and have the matter settled.
    In addition to Roberts’ two year suspension, the LABA executive also decided that effective from the date of this occurrence (Saturday September 23rd, 2006, which involved Roberts, and Jason Alonzo and Dale Williamson of the Kashif and Shanghai Kings club of Linden that Mr. Jason Alonzo is suspended for a period of two months from all competitive and other related activities, and is also banned from all basketball venues for this same period.
    Also that effective from the date of this occurrence (Saturday September 23rd 2006) Mr. Dale Williamson is suspended for a period of one month from all competitive and other basketball related activities, and is also banned from all basketball venues
    It was reported in another section of the media that president of the GABF Colonel (Ret.) Godwin McPherson had stated that the executive of the federation will meet shortly to deliberate on the matter, having gathered enough information to mount its own investigation.

  • GABF TO REVISIT ROBERTS' TWO YEAR-BAN
  • Reprinted from Stabroek News
    President of the Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF), Godwin McPherson said on Wednesday that the executive of the federation will meet to revisit the Dwayne 'Sugar' Roberts issue and will subsequently issue a statement.
    1. McPherson was responding to questions from Stabroek Sport in relation to an article in Stabroek Sport last Friday, which questioned whether the Linden Amateur Basketball Association (LABA) had the authority to issue a two-year ban of a player, who falls outside its jurisdiction and whether the LABA usurped the authority of the GABF by issuing the ban.
    Former Sports Editor of the Stabroek News who is now Sports Editor of Cricket International, Orin Davidson of the USA raised those points.
    Contacted for a response to Davidson's comments McPherson stated that the secretary of the GABF, Eon Andrews, the officer responsible for convening meetings, is in the process of convening a meeting soon in the wake of Roberts's situation.
    "The executive of the GABF will meet shortly to deliberate on the matter," McPherson said adding that everything must be done against the proper background. He hinted that the GABF had gathered enough information to mount its own investigation.
    McPherson refused to say much on the matter before the GABF meets, stating that the GABF is an entire body and not one person. According to McPherson, the article written in Stabroek Sport by Davidson is accurate.
    1. "Orin Davidson is correct and you can quote me," McPherson said, when asked to comment on certain aspects of the article that directly related to the governing body for basketball in Guyana.
    If McPherson is agreeing with Davidson, it means that the LABA has acted prejudicially by issuing a 24 - month ban of the Georgetown-affiliated Roberts.
    Davidson had claimed that LABA acted outside its jurisdiction and authority by issuing the ban and the LABA had usurped the authority of its parent body, the GABF.
    Davidson also claimed that the situation could get out of hand, with the Georgetown Amateur Basket-ball Association reacting by issuing a similar ban on a player from LABA at the next opportunity and had called on Mc Pherson to heal the rift existing between the two Sub-Associations.
    President of the LABA, Colin Aaron, contacted for a response, stated that he had not yet read the article and therefore was in no position to categorically support or refute any claims in Davidson's story. Aaron said that he would issue a response after reading the article.
    Roberts, a Georgetown affiliated national basketball player with Ravens Basketball Club, was slapped with a 24 - month ban from local basketball following an altercation during an invitational game in Linden against the host town's Kings more than three weeks ago.
    In addition to the two-year ban from the sport, Roberts was banned from all basketball related activities and from all basketball venues while the other two Kings players involved from Linden, Dale Williamson and Jason Alonzo, were hit with one and two-month bans respectively.
    The issue sparked a debate in the fraternity and in the media that has to do with whether the LABA could ban a player that does not operate under the umbrella of that association and the constitutional basis for Roberts's ban.

  • Eagles Basketball Club fined: Eagles coach denied chance to meet disciplinary committee
  • By Lloyda Nicholas - Friday, November 10th 2006
    The Eagles Basketball Club has been fined $5,000 for abandoning its opening match of the 2006/2007 Georgetown basketball season against the Disciples after their coach Dale Phillips was ejected from the game on a technical foul last Saturday at the National Sports Hall.
    President of the Guyana Amateur Basketball Association (GABA) Chris Bowman told Stabroek Sport in a telephone interview that the association's disciplinary committee met on Wednesday and in addition gave a warning to the coach and suspended Eagle's player Dexter Muir for one game for using abusive language to the officials.
    However, when Stabroek Sport contacted Phillips he said that he felt the association's decision to hold a disciplinary hearing without allowing him or his team to respond to accusations was an unfair one. He said, "In any democracy people must have a chance to respond."
    Phillips said that it was only after he visited the association's office for a separate matter, that he received a letter informing him of the disciplinary committee's ruling. He said, "I felt blindsided."
    GABA President Bowman said however that according to the association's processes some incidents did not require that the parties meet with the disciplinary committee. He said some matters incurred automatic action and this was one such case. Bowman said that certain regulations were clearly contravened in this case.
    But the Eagles coach contended that his team was placed at an unfair disadvantage because of the calls the referee was making during that game. He said that he had a right to remonstrate if he felt that he was not being treated fairly and that was all he had been doing. He further added that he complied with the referee by leaving the bench and headed into the stands after he was given the technical foul. He said that it was at this point that the referee and the GABA president insisted that he must leave the building. He noted that at larger associations if someone were ejected from the game, the would be escorted to the locker room, but would not be asked to leave the building and it was this had upset his players and resulted in Muir using abusive language.
    Bowman confirmed that Phillips was asked to leave the building in the absence of a locker room at the Sports Hall. He further pointed out that the disciplinary committee let Phillips off with a warning because he was one of the good people in basketball and has a good reputation. Phillips said that his team would continue to participate in the competition since they love to compete and would play under any conditions. Their next game is against the Nets tonight at the National Sports Hall. The first game of the evening will see a match-up between the Disciples and the Scorpions.
    Tomorrow night the Legends will meet Macabean Rangers and Pepsi Sonics will face off against Courts Pace Setters. Ravens will meet Bounty Colts in the final game of the evening.

  • East Bank Basketball billed for Sunday
  • Friday, November 10th 2006
    Basketball action is set for the Burnham Court when the 13th annual East Bank Basketball Championship bounces off on Sunday. Play begins at 1:00 pm when Soesdyke/Supply will face off against Mocha.
    Herstelling, featuring Gregory Hershum, will meet McDoom in the second encounter. McDoom's attack will be led by Travis Burnett and Qunicy Goodluck. Defending champions Bagotstown with the likes of Kwesi Roberts and Darren Thomas will come up against Barama to start their bid to defend their title.
    The other teams in the competition are Agricola, Prospect, Grove and Timehri. Teams are expected to be uniformed and at the playing venue half an hour before game time.

  • ‘PLAYERS TAKING REPONSIBILITY FOR BASKETBALL’S DEVELOPMENT’ SPORTSVIEW FROM A DISTANCE
  • By Peter Haynes - Guyana Chronicle - November 20, 2006
    WELCOME! At the outset, I would like to make a correction for some information I received and included in the last piece.
    The Uniforms used by the Youth team in Suriname were supplied by the NSDC and not by the GABA/TWINKILLAS. In fact it was the Basketball Federation who borrowed the uniforms for the Goodwill tournament with the D.C. Jammers and other teams.
    It seems that it is not unusual for players to ‘jump’ from one team to another during a season whenever they become disgruntled with the club. This obviously would present for both the club the player is leaving and the one he joins. One gets the impression that some of the players begin to feel that they are bigger than the club and sometimes bigger than the game. Naturally, this leads to indiscipline, something which has plagued basketball in Guyana for far too long.
    The Association should, as part of their regulations, have each club register players for the season, and this must be done each year.
    A simple registration form is all that is required. Whenever a player becomes unhappy with the team he or she registered with at the beginning of the season, he/she would need to be officially released by the first team before he/she could play with another team. Approval from the Association is also a requirement.
    Players would obviously be expected to meet their membership qualifications, most importantly their monthly or annual dues. Should a player seeking a transfer not fulfill his/her financial obligations they would not be released.
    This is one way in which the Clubs would be able to become less dependent on outside sources for their existence.
    As a requirement to represent a club is to be financial, so must be the obligation of the club to the Association to participate in the tournaments. The Association should require clubs to pay their registration fees for the organisation and the players, in addition to the clubs paying entry fees for the respective tournaments.
    Am I sounding like a capitalist? Well that is the only way to stop being mendicants. Remember, the Lord helps those help themselves.
    UNIFORMS It is the TWINKILLAS’ intention to prepare uniforms for all Georgetown clubs. The designs and colours have been selected in conjunction with GABA and would be donated to the Association for distribution to the Clubs. The donation to GABA is intended to get them financially started. The clubs would be required to make a contribution to obtain the uniforms.
    Does this sound like the players are being placed under some financial pressure, no that’s not the idea, it’s making them understand that the best way for them to appreciate and value anything is by taking responsibility for ownership.
    I have learnt that individuals almost always buy into an idea when they take ownership for the matter. In this case, the players having made monetary contributions would value both their clubs and its property. And guess what, there would be less jumping from one team to another.
    Clubs are encouraged to develop a ‘fan base’ that would be there to support them at the games. With a fan base developed, the turnstiles would be moving much more than currently. Having paid the rental of the Sports Hall and other administrative costs, the clubs would receive an agreed percentage of the gates.
    This sounds that at the end all would benefit for this proposal. It is nothing new; as a matter of fact it happened in the 60’s and 70’s, so it not reinventing the wheel, it’s just putting some oil to make it run easily.
    I was impressed to read earlier last week that GABA is taking a firm hand to ensure that discipline remains at a high standard. The individuals who cannot comply would learn that there is no need for them around basketball.
    It would be recalled that when the Sports Hall was expanded to its present structure, it was done through assistance from the community and the National Sports Development Council. When I visited the Sports Hall a few months ago, I was disappointed to see its condition. To say that it is in need of some repairs and maintenance, would be putting it lightly. The Hall’s floor needs a full repair; the ventilation should be improved, possibly with some extractors in the ceiling and on the walls.
    With the current conditions, it is virtually impossible for players to give of their best for an entire game, not to mention the discomfort the spectators have to endure having paid hard-earned cash to attend the events. My experience was that within half an hour of just sitting, my shirt was wet, not damp. Based on what I am advised are the charges for rental. The NSDC needs to address this matter urgently.
    And when the floor is repaired, painted and marked for the respective games, there MUST be restrictions for its use. There was a time way back, when no one, repeat, no one was allowed to walk on the floor unless they wore rubber-soled shoes, this included the spectators. I was so disappointed to see individuals, including officials walking with heavy leather shoes on the floor.
    We cannot expect the NSDC to repair the floor and not take personal responsibility for its care.
    My sight is failing with age, but I am sure that in recent pix which appeared in the newspaper showing the winners of an indoor hockey tournament, none of the sticks was padded. Should the Hockey Association use the Sports Hall, they must understand that all players must have their sticks padded to prevent damage to the floor. That’s how it was. This statement is nothing new.
    As part of the rental, the NSDC should ensure that there is security during the events. There was a report in the newspapers recently about the ganja smoking during the events that is a true statement, as I experienced it a few months ago.
    In closing, I would like to pay tribute to my friend for many years, sports promoter, political and community activity, Harold ‘Lightweight’ Kissoon who passed away recently. He also served for many years as a member of the National Sports Development Council. I know how he suffered when he was unable to be active. I recall being associated with him and GBC in the staging of the ‘Day of Sports’ at D’Urban Park.
    On that day, tens of thousands of spectators of all ages and sex enjoyed almost every outdoor sport in one day. And it included the ‘dray cart’ derby on Homestretch Avenue. That was a day to remember, as it went well into the night as Chronicle Atlantic Steel Ork. entertained.
    Lightweight, it will be remembered played a significant role in the development and promotion of professional boxing in Guyana.
    To his surviving relatives, Lynette, Bussie, children and grandchildren, please accept my condolences.

  • Stern action is necessary
  • From the Sports Desk - Guyana Chronicle November 8, 2006
    THE sport of basketball has been in a quandary for many years. It has made negative headlines in the past for bottle-throwing, administrative battles and fist fights. Many have tried to solve the problems, but they have become embedded in the psyche of those involved.
    Players, some highly recognised, have been guilty of using abrasive language on and off court. Marijuana smoking by fans in the upper stands of the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall at some games is as regular as drinking energy drinks.
    Administrators have constantly denounced these acts, but they have never been able to stop it fully.
    Prior to being re-elected as president a few months ago, Georgetown Amateur Basketball Association (GABA) president, Chris Bowman, made it clear to the clubs that in his second term he would be a hard-fisted leader, since he intends to carry the sport forward and to make decisions which will in the long run improve the game.
    Last season the game itself suffered tremendously, due to poor refereeing from a few, with the eye-pass growing. Even good calls were watered down as favouritism by the referees.
    In one game, in particular, a call resulted in a player kicking the basketball the full length of the court.
    Outside of the city on the East Coast of Demerara one referee was punched in the back of the head during a street basketball competition. That blow almost cost him his life.
    Last Friday night the 2006-07 Georgetown league tipped off. This time around, the association has assembled the best-of-the-best when it comes to referees.
    Bowman, at the launching of the league, called them the elite panel of referees. Leading the charge is now retired Ravens’ small forward Aubrey Younge.
    During a game between the Plaisance Disciples and the Eagles on Saturday night, Younge, who has been stern but fair in his blowing, was taunted on occasions for his calling by Eagles coach Dale Phillips.
    With Eagles leading 45-43 with 6:03 left in the third quarter, Phillips made a rude remark which resulted in a technical foul. This abuse continued and the coach was ejected from the game. A decision, not to leave the Sports Hall by Phillips, saw Younge disqualifying the team for their coach’s unsportsmanlike behaviour, whereby awarding the win to the Disciples.
    Even though Phillips’ remarks were not as harsh as many made to referees in the past, the disqualification signals a step in the right direction, especially for the development of the game.
    For many the Eagles coach might have been the sacrificial lamb and disqualifying the team might have been too harsh a call, but for any sport to move forward, especially one which has been seen as tainted, stern action is necessary.

  • PROPOSAL FOR SUPER LEAGUE
  • By Chris Bowman: For the attention of the Members of the GABA Executive Committee, All Affiliated Clubs
    A NEW MODEL FOR BASKETBALL
    INTRODUCTION
    It has been a while since Georgetown Basketball has organized a solid, high quality league championship. This important championship format is necessary for any basketball association to accurately measure growth. A well organized, highly competitive league championship is the standard by which basketball is measured by most national association, the world over. Global basketball in the last decade has reach new heights; many credit this success to well organized and well run national league in many countries. While we can’t address the failures of our local federation in the short term, we can begin to raise our own standard and set the foundation for a new dispensation. This proposal set out to show a new model for local basketball. For many it will require a shift in paradigm, a new way of thinking-out of the box. But we believe if clubs can warm to this new idea and work to achieve it, basketball in Georgetown and by extension in Guyana can reach unprecedented levels, over the next two years. What is the new model that we are proposing?
    GABA SUPER LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP:
    This is an open league tourney that will involve the ten affiliated clubs in Georgetown in a 10 games regular season fixtures, from October to December, and culminating with a ‘Super Eight’ knockout in January. The Club that leads the points table after the completion of the league fixture will be adjudicated league champion, while the other clubs will be rank according to their standing. The top eight teams will advance to the ‘Super Eight’ knockout.
    PLAYING DAYS:
    The main playing days will be on Fridays and Saturdays, with each team having one schedule game per week. The remaining days would be used for training by teams and marketing and ticket sales.
    PRIZES
    The league champion will receive a championship trophy (to be special named), which will represent pride and prestige. The winning team will also receive individual medals/ replicas. There will also be other individual awards up for grabs for outstanding individual achievement.
    WHY NO CASH PRIZE?
    While this will only be the GABA policy for the league championship, it is an attempt to restore the discipline and pride that once made local basketball attractive. Gone are the days when players trained well, and played harder, with the pride of club supremacy as the motivating factor. Gone are the days when a trophy and a medal had value, value of sweat, hard work and teamwork. Today, the game has lost much of its appeal. No longer can you appreciate the discipline and natural talent of a young player. Basketball has lost its purity to greed and the love of a few dollars. While we belief, that there is a place for players to be rewarded financially; and we will be first to encourage and ensure that this happens. We also believe that the League Championship must have a greater value than a few dollars.
    It is on this premise that we are trying to move the game from stagnation to real growth; growth that may be indicated by a new school of players emerging in the game, players who take training seriously, who are not above the game and only turn up to play when there is some kind of cash at stake.
    This attitude, system of indiscipline and maintenance has greatly weakened clubs capacity to be viable sport organization. No longer are clubs looking to develop new players and strengthen their administrative structure.
    This association as a priority is committed to changing this culture and developing viable club organization, dedicated to player’s welfare.
    A NEW FINANCIAL STRUCTURE:
    Critical to the success of this new model will be the creation of a new financial structure, which encompasses a deliberate sale and marketing strategy, which would engage participating clubs in tapping into their respective fan base via ticket sales and strategic marketing. We believe this strategy can work best if the whole club organization is involved, each player selling tickets for the season to his family and friends; while the collective machinery of the club organization targeting known and new fans. This simple, but very deliberate strategy will firstly, give each club an opportunity to develop their respective fan base, guaranteeing support for each game they play. If this plan is properly implemented, the financial benefit for clubs will have far reaching effect. In actual fact clubs will receive 50 percent of direct ticket return per game, according to amount of ticket sold by that particular club. In addition, the association will take out 15 percent of gate revenue earned per night, which will be placed in a special account for player welfare.
    It is entirely the prerogative for clubs to decide they choose to use their returns; whether it is to purchase equipment, support players, pay rental or even contract players, they will decide this for themselves. The association’s primary responsibility is to help clubs to become self sustaining viable sports organizations, with player’s welfare as a prime focus. Once clubs begin to generate their own financial resources they would better be able to organize themselves and provide support for their members. I don’t believe there is any other way for basketball to be elevated, to achieve this outcome and move into a position of strength, given the nature of sports in Guyana.
    In the final analysis, it is the direct and deliberate involvement by each of us, the stake holders in making this plan successful.
    PROSPECTIVE CLUBS:
    Ravens Basketball, Court Pacesetters, Bounty Colts, Beepat’s Scorpions, Legends Basketball, Pepsi Sonics Basketball, Eagles Basketball, Nets Basketball, and Disciples Basketball.
    ELIGIBILITY:
    There are some basic conditions for membership within this new structure, although we agreed that some clubs may not be able to meet all of these conditions immediately, at registration the following are mandatory:
    1. All clubs must have a basic structure of a President, Secretary, Treasurer, Coach and Manager making up the executive.
    2. All clubs must have two playing uniforms and make their colours know to the association, before the season commences.
    3. All clubs must pay in full all financial levies required of members, at the time of registration. (See Strategic Plan for other conditions)
    SPONSORSHIP (LEAGUE):
    The GABA will sought sponsorship for the following:
    1. Trophy and medals – 1st - 4th place.
    2. Advertising
    3. Equipment
    SPONSORSHIP (CLUBS):
    We believe as clubs become more organize, and the profile of basketball grows, more clubs would be able to attract direct sponsorship. The association is also prepared to help clubs prepare proposal for sponsor.
    HIGHER LEVEL OF TRAINING/PRACTICE:
    Key to the success of the Super league is preparation. Clubs will have to become more deliberate and discipline in their training in order to put out a high quality of basketball. The association will monitor practice sessions to make sure clubs are maintaining high standards.

  • GABA rules on basketball brawl: player banned, clubs fined
  • Edison Jefford Sunday, December 31st 2006
    Ravens and national forward, Damian Liverpool was slapped with a four-game ban while his team along with Pepsi Sonics will pay $5000 each before their next scheduled game for their role in a brawl at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.
    The Georgetown Amateur Basketball Association (GABA) released the ruling on the matter to the two clubs on Friday while Stabroek Sport was privy to a copy, compliments of GABA yesterday.
    The document is the ruling on a fight that was allegedly initiated by Liverpool during the GABA ongoing Georgetown League tournament at the Sports Hall.
    According to the ruling, the rules of the game are developed to ensure a balance blend of sportsmanship, recreation, skill, development and competitive activity; in keeping with the true nature of sport and to promote fair play. "GABA takes the responsibility of maintaining such rules and discipline in the game very serious; as a result, we have developed several new measures to ensure a sound disciplinary process is followed and maintained by all participants," the document states.
    "The incident in question between Ravens and Pepsi Sonics on November 15, 2006, is considered to be a very serious infraction, since it is recognized that a number of serious violations were committed against the rule of play". The seven-point ruling is as follows: after careful consideration of the referees' report, taking on board the account of both teams and after talking to several eye witnesses to the incident.

    1. For his action of holding another player by the neck with the intent to cause harm.
    *Mr. Damean Liverpool is suspended for one game.
    2. For punching another player with the fist which could result in serious bodily harm. *Mr. Damean Liverpool is suspended for three games.
    * Mr. Liverpool will miss a total of four games, which will run consecutively.
    3. For his role as an active participant in the instigation of this infraction.
    *Mr. Hollinsworth Casey is suspended for one game.
    4. For his role as an active participant in the instigation of this infraction.
    *Mr. Ryan Melville is suspended for one game.
    5. For going onto the court and getting involved as a supporter of Ravens.
    * Mr. Dion Liverpool is not allowed to sit on Ravens bench at no time for the remainder of this league.
    6. For their shared role in bringing the game into disrepute, both Ravens and Pepsi Sonics clubs will pay a fine of five thousand dollars ($5000) each to the association, before being allowed to play their next scheduled game.
    7. For their action of leaving the confines of the playing area during the infraction several players (from both teams) will face disqualification. Both clubs are required to cooperate with the GABA to determine who those players are. A ruling on the official outcome of the game in question will follow soon.

    This decision has only dealt with one aspect of the whole question of discipline in the game, that's the players/teams conduct. The other area that is of serious concern to GABA is the deteriorating state of officiating that presently confronts the game of basketball. This situation requires an immediate remedy if situations like these are to be prevented. The role of the officials must not be taken lightly, since they are the ones directly responsible for the 'checks and the balance' of the game. We welcome all useful recommendations as we earnestly try to rectify this problem.
    NB. This ruling can be appealed by any of the parties involved.

  • Ravens, Pepsi Sonics to know fate today
  • By Edison Jefford - Friday, December 29th 2006
    Ravens and Pepsi Sonics basketball teams will know their fates today when the Georgetown Amateur Basketball Association (GABA) hands out the ruling on a fight that implicated both teams.
    GABA summoned the two teams to a disciplinary hearing last week following an incident that involved Ravens and national forward, Damian Liverpool and Sonics' Earl O'Neil during GABA's ongoing Georgetown League tournament.
    The two teams were facing each other in a fifth round match when Liverpool, dissatisfied with an O'Neil rebound threw a punch at the Sonics' 'big guy'. GABA in a report carried in this section of the media called the matter 'serious' and the likely penalties 'severe'.
    President of GABA Chris Bowman told Stabroek Sport yesterday that a decision on the matter between Ravens and Sonics had been made and both clubs would have copies of the ruling today before he could share details with the media.
    "We have made a decision, we have made a ruling, after the clubs have received and understand the ruling it will be available to the media," Bowman said after being asked about the content of the ruling.
    "I can't let you know before the clubs," the GABA president stated, adding that the document is a seven point ruling that gives the full facts, the background and procedure followed to arrive at the decision.
    GABA had stated that before the proper disciplinary actions were taken both teams would have a hearing when they could be apprised of their offence. It was the second time that a Ravens' player was involved in such conduct.
    Ravens' and national centre Dwayne 'Sugar' Roberts was banned from the sport for two years after a similar incident in the mining town erupted when the team met nemesis Kashif and Shanghai Kings in an invitational match.
    The Linden Amateur Basketball Association (LABA) instituted the ban on Roberts but GABA revisited the decision since the LABA supposedly acted outside its constitutional jurisdiction; Roberts was allowed to play in the current Georgetown League.
    Ravens' coach, Mark Trim told Stabroek Sport yesterday that his team was not indisciplined and they would honour the decision made by GABA in the matter since seeding was not a very big issue for the team that had been in most finals this year.
    "The rules are there and we are standing by the rules, Ravens don't consider itself to be indisciplined, we have a very disciplined team," Trim said while taking the opportunity to indicate that seeding is not important to the team.
    The question of seeding was raised since a ban on Ravens in the competition could result in the team sitting out a number of games in the ongoing Georgetown League, which means the team's current second place seeding will drop.
    The primary purpose of the Georgetown League tournament was to seed teams in Georgetown for the upcoming season. Stabroek Sport could not make contact with Sonics' coach Holisworth Casey for a comment on the issue yesterday.

  • Year in review - Basketball had a fruitful year
  • Saturday, December 30th 2006
    Local basketball players cannot complain about insufficient tournaments this year as there were a significant number of well-organised tournaments held throughout the year. However, there were a few incidents of indiscipline that marred what should have been a successful year for local basketball players.
    The year began on an academic note with the Faculty of Social Sciences defeating the Faculty of Agriculture in the annual University of Guyana inter - faculty basketball tournament at UG's basketball court.
    The official season then got underway with a Georgetown Amateur Basketball Associa-tion (GABA) second-division tournament.
    Nets defeated Bounty Colts 63 -57 in overtime to cart off the second-division title at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall late February with Nets' Pelham Doris taking home the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award.
    Simultaneously, the GABA second-division tournament, the Linden Amateur Basketball Association (LABA) in collaboration with GoMoseley staged a second-division tournament in Linden.
    Kashif and Shanhai Kings defeated Amelia's Ward Jets in the final of the GoMosley tournament. Kings' Thorton Wilson got the MVP prize in the competition.
    Young promotion group, Next Level Entertainment on their first assignment hosted a nation-wide tournament for all first-division teams. Kashif and Shanghai Kings defeated Ravens in the final to cart off the $200,000 first place prize, while Ravens got $100,000 for second place. Courts Pacesetters was third in the nation-wide tournament and received $50,000. Kings' Steve Neils jr. won the MVP of the final award after the guard, down with an injury, returned limping during the game to lead his team to victory.
    However, Courts Pacesetters recovered to win GABA's Albert Bentick Open League tournament against Scorpions in a two-best-three final. Pacesetters won game one while Scorpions took game two.
    Pacesetters defeated Scorpions 100 - 88 in the third game of the three-game final to lift the beautiful Albert Bentick Trophy. Scorpions Basketball club made it possible for local basketball referee Vijay Panday to attend a Federation of International Basketball Association (FIBA) referees training course in Trinidad.
    However, Panday was not successful in the course owing to personal struggles with fitness and a life-long battle with a knee injury.
    Designers, Michelle Cole and Trevor Rose staged an inaugural Bounty Colts Facts and Roses first and third divisions basketball tournaments in May with a first place purse of $200, 000. Ravens basketball club ensured that they cash in when they won the tournament ahead of Georgetown rivals Pacesetters, whom they defeated in the semi - final round to advance to the final against Scorpions.
    The final was a two - best - of - three one-sided affair as Ravens blew way Scorpions to win with a clean sweep. Scorpions got $150,000 for placing second, while Pacesetters took home $100,000. The LABA staged three first division tournaments for Linden teams with Sponsorship from U -mobile for the first, Banks Vita Malt for the second and the Linden Town Week organisation for the third.
    Jets got the best of Kings in the U -mobile sponsored tournament, which saw Rawle Toney emerge as MVP, while Kings won the latter tournaments on points and defeating Retrieve Raiders respectively.
    Neils was the MVP for the latter two first 'D' tournaments to complement his nation - wide award at the Next Level tournament earlier in the year.
    The Supligen All Star weekend came off with a bang in July with Trinidad-based player Steven 'Lighter' Lewis lighting up the Sports Hall with ferocious dunks in the slam-dunk competition.
    The All-Star weekend also included the usual junior and senior three-point shoot out along with the feature games. For the first time this year, a Linden All Star team matched strides with a Georgetown All Star team. GABA president Chris Bowman, tasked with preparing Guyana's Inter Guiana Games (IGG) basketball team staged a nation-wide High School Basketball tournament in collaboration with the National Sport Commission (NSC).
    St. Roses High School edged Kwakwani High in the final of the tournament in June to come away with the title. Director of Sport Neil Kumar was on hand to deliver the awards to the young players.
    Pepsi Sonics Basketball team held a summer vocational basketball programme for boys and girls between ages nine and 17 at the National Gymnasium.
    National coach on his inaugural stint as head coach for Guyana's national senior team, Abdullah 'Zico' Hamid conducted one of the sessions of the programme. The Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF) staged an international Goodwill Basketball tournament that included Washington D.C Jammers, Trinidad and Tobago male and female team and a Guyana 'A', 'B' and female team.
    The Trinidad female side blew away the local women team in all three games to complete a clean sweep. The Trinidad women side embarrassed the home team 91 - 54 in the last game to prompt their male counter parts.
    The Trinidad male team defeated Guyana 'A', 'B' and D.C. Jammers to end with the most wins in the round robin male competition. Trinidad's Lewis was given the MVP award at a lunch held for the teams at Malteenoes Sports Club.
    The New Era Promotion group hosted a first division competition for teams in Linden with a top prize of $100,000. Kings was on top on the list of finishers again with the MVP going to centre Jason Alonzo.
    An otherwise good year for local basketball was daunted when a fight broke out on the McKenzie Sports Club hard court that involved Ravens' Dwayne 'Sugar' Roberts and Alonzo during an invitational fixture.
    Roberts was slapped with a two-year ban from the sport, from all related activities and from all venues by LABA. A position later revisited and reversed by LABA's George-town counter - part, GABA. Alonzo was given only a three-month ban for his role in the incident. The contradicting decisions by both GABA and LABA in the matter were indicative of an executive battle between the two associations.
    Sport enthusiasts had called on the governing bodies for both the GABA and LABA, the GABF to step in and heal the rift between the two associations. Maybe the GABF is awaiting the commencement of the New Year to act accordingly. Guyana's IGG male team was demoralized in Suriname as they returned to Guyana empty handed with losses to both Suriname and French Guiana in the games late September. The GABA resumed its Georgetown League tournament in November in an effort to seed teams for the new season in 2007. A new basketball League structure was designed and implemented by GABA.

  • Basketball brawl at Sport Hall
  • By Edison Jefford - Thursday, December 21st 2006
    Ravens basketball club, once the hottest basketball team in Georgetown and arguably Guyana, may find itself watching the sport from the bleachers when the new season begins owing to the team's escalation of indiscipline.
    The club was implicated in its second 'on - court - fight' for this year when high scoring forward, Damian Liverpool threw a punch at Pepsi Sonics' Earl O' Neil when the two teams met last Friday at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.
    The teams were contesting their fifth round fixture in the ongoing Georgetown Amateur Basketball Association (GABA) first division Georgetown League tournament at the Sports Hall.
    Stabroek Sport was informed by reliable sources that the high intensity, Liverpool threw the punch at O' Neil at the offensive end of the court after being dissatisfied with a rebounding issue at the other end of the court.
    According to the source, O' Neil's teammate and part time coach, Hollinsworth Kacey was also fisted by the rampaging Liverpool after he got in the way to part the squabble between O' Neil and Liverpool.
    The top local basketball club is developing an unenviable reputation as indiscipline is beginning to mar its performance. The club is second in the ongoing Georgetown League basketball tournament with nine points in four games.
    The club was implicated last summer for its role in a brawl that broke out on the McKenzie Sports Club hard-court, Linden, in a `grudge' invitational match up against long time rivals Kashif and Shanghai Kings.
    National center, Dwayne 'Sugar' Roberts was said to be at the helm of that initial fight and was slapped with a two-year ban from the sport, from venues and all related activities by the Linden Amateur Basketball Association (LABA). However, the Georgetown body revisited Roberts' position and he was allowed to play in the ongoing Georgetown league. Liver-pool, who made his national senior debut this year, has been implicated on a first offense.
    President of GABA, Chris Bowman told Stabroek Sport yesterday that an investigation into the matter is ongoing and the results are likely to be released before the tournament continues next weekend.
    "An investigation in ongoing, both parties (Pepsi Sonics and Ravens) will be invited to take part in the investigation," Bowman said adding that the results have to be released before either teams can play their next game.
    Bowman said that GABA will deal with the matter in the right manner and a decision will be revealed to all relevant parties and "what has to happen will happen" so that the tournament can progress.
    "It was a serious incident and I am certain that it will have severe consequences for the guilty party," an insightful Bowman offered, while stating that the association has nothing more to say on the matter before the investigation. Senior national and Ravens' guard, Darcell Harris stated yesterday that the team is yet to discuss the matter at the club level. He said that there was nothing that he could say at the moment because there was no hearing.
    "We had no hearing yet, therefore we took no stance on the matter, we are waiting on the association," Harris said adding that after the association meet with both teams, he will have more to say on the matter.
    Ravens' coach indicated yesterday that the team was scheduled to meet for practice at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall last night and will also use the opportunity to "come up with a plan on how to deal with the entire situation".
    Meanwhile, efforts to contact Kacey, Pepsi Sonics secretary, Bruce Haynes and coach Mark Agard proved futile yesterday. The team's president, Merle Jordon is currently overseas.

  • Bounty Colts topple Legends in grudge match-up
  • By Edison Jefford - Monday, December 11th 2006
    The legendary Andrew 'Mr. Dunk' Ifill was missing from his team's line-up and as a result they suffered another blow-out. Excellent backcourt pressure defense along with swift offensive finishes ensured that the Bounty Colts came out on top of the grudge basketball match-up against the Legends Saturday night at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.
    Colts easily disposed of Legends 72 - 46 in the game that was the first of three games carded for the night in the ongoing Georgetown Amateur Basketball Association (GABA) Super League Basketball Championships.
    Colts' most experienced center, Kelvin Simon led the fairly young composition with 15 points while former Courts Pacesetters shooting guard, Triston Lake appearing for Colts, had 10 points along with forward, Seon Mitchell.
    Shooting guard Clairmont Bascom top scored for Legends with 12 points while guard Eugene Kingston finished with 10 points. Former Colts, forwards Bretnol Gordon and Martin Edwards did not hurt their former team on the score sheets.
    The two players, Gordon and Edwards along with several others took trades from Colts to other clubs setting up a grueling grudge whenever those past Colts players meet with the present crop of Colts players.
    In the other two games of the night, Ravens narrowly escaped the Rangers 70 - 64 in the second game while the Nets failed to net a win after suffering a 48 - 55 defeat to Pepsi Sonics in the third game. Forward Damien Liverpool scored 20 points while center Dwayne 'Sugar' Roberts and guard Ryan Stephney ended on 16 and 10 points respectively for Ravens. Darrel Levans and Ewart Smith both scored 14 points for the Rangers while Hodayah Stewart finished with 12 points.
    Ryan Melville also had 20 points to lead the Pepsi challenge while Triston Tulloch and Sheldon Howell scored 11 and 10 points for the less than usually impressive Nets in game three, Saturday night.
    In the Colts versus Legends game, Colts enjoyed a comfortable lead over the Legends from jump ball. The Legends' closest opportunity to turn the tide came in the first five minutes of the second quarter when the team went on a 5 - 0 run to bring the team with two (19 - 21).
    Legends' forward, Eugene Kinston spoiled the team's chance of leveling the scores when he missed both free throws after being fouled with the clock set on 5:21 minutes before half time.
    Colts capitalised on the missed chance and went on to outscore Legends 10 -5 to end the first half of the game 31 -24 with speedy guard Kayode Murray leading the Colts' gallop up court.
    The disparity between the two teams' offense continued in the third quarter as Colts put up nine points against Legends' four points in the first five minutes of the quarter. The score was 40 - 28 at that stage in the game.
    Simon unlike Legends' big man, Kinston worked the bottom court well to ensure that Colts get second attempts off offensive rebounds.
    Legends could not convert their second chances and were soon woefully behind at 33 - 54 at the end of the third quarter.
    Colts, with victory in sight experimented with some of their bench in the fourth quarter. The team brought on third - string substitute guard, Teon Joaquin along with second string forward, Nico Fraser.
    The legend in the Legends' line - up, national forward, Andrew `Mr. Dunk' Ifill graced the Sports Hall with his presence just in time to witness his team suffer another blow out in the history of basketball in Georgetown.

  • Barama thrashes Mocha-Arcadia 46-28
  • Tuesday, December 5th 2006
    Trevor Profitt scored 22 of Barama's 46 points to help the team beat Mocha-Arcadia 46-28 in the feature game when the East Bank Basketball championships continued last week at the Burnham Basketball Court.
    Kenneth Charles pitched in with 12 points for Barama while Delon Gurrick was the lone player in double figures for Mocha with 10 points. The scores were 30-8 in favour of Barama at half time. In the first game of the triple-header, Prospect Jammers came away with a 45-29 win against Mc Doom Kings with Drexel Aaron putting in 13 points while Quincy Boodhoo and Lance Gouvia ended with 10 points each for Jammers.
    Adrian Adams had 11 points for Kings while high school star Travis Burnett helped out with 10 points. Jammers led 29-13 at half time.
    In the second game Michael Richards scored 17 points while Rayon Stepheny scored 11 points to help Agricola register a 54-29 win against Soesdyke. Nashon Roberts and Kevin Loncke both scored 10 points for Soesdyke.

  • Barama remain unbeaten in East Bank tournament
  • by Faizool Deo
    BARAMA basketball team have played unbeaten so far in this year’s East Bank annual basketball championship, winning their third consecutive game on Sunday at the Burnham Basketball hard-court against Mocha Arcadia.
    Prior to their last victory, the undefeated team recorded wins against defending champions Bagotstown and the combined team of Supply/Soesdyke.
    In Sunday’s game - the feature clash of the afternoon - it was Wismar Pistons’ Trevor Profitt who led the charge. The forward scored 22 points for the winners, to lead them to a 46-28 victory.
    In the first half Barama dominated, scoring 30 points compared to eight by their opponents. Also contributing for the winners was Kenneth Charles with 12 points. For Mocha Arcadia, only Delon Gurrick (10 points) reached double figures.
    In the opener, Prospect Jammers won their second consecutive game when they defeated McDoom (0-2) 45-29. Trexel Aaron led the attack for the winners with 13 points, while Quincy Boodhoo chipped in with 10. For the losing side it was Adrian Adams (11) and Travis Burnett (10) who reached double figures.
    Game two saw Agricola Raptors ripping apart Supply/Soesdyke 54-29. Guard Michael Richards led the attack with 17 points while Ryan Stephney chipped in with 11. Nashan Roberts and Kevin Loncke scored 10 points each for the losing side.
    The competition continues on Sunday at the same venue and teams are asked to be at the venue 30 minutes before the start of their game.