Archives April 2017

Warriors Hold Off Sol Blazers

The Warriors defeated the defending champions – Sol Blazers at Clifton Hunter High School Gymnasium last night.  The Blazers came out firing on all cylinders, jumping out to an early lead; but the Warriors switched their defense to keep the Blazers off the glass: it paid off!  Back came the warriors with a reckless abandon, erasing a 12 point deficit.  From there, both teams would trade baskets and runs the entire game, but the Warriors would take the lead with 2 minutes to go and not look back.  In the dying seconds of the game, only down by 1 point, the Blazers stole the ball and attacked the basket for what seemed to be a definite lead change and possibly a game winner.  But the Warriors’ Kenval Bryan had a different idea!  Bryan leaped into the air and pasted the Blazer’s shot attempt against the backboard in what can only be described as a look-alike to Lebron James’ game winning block in last year’s NBA finals. Final Score – 70-67. 

For the Warriors, Collin Anglin led all Scorers with 26 points, 9 rebounds and 2 steals while Omari Corbin added a monster 18 point, 20 rebound game. Kenval Bryan added 18 points, 15 rebounds and 3 blocks. 

For the Blazers: Kevin Maxwell Led the way with 23 points, 18 rebounds and 2 blocks while Philip Reid added 17 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists. 

Watch the interview below as Dionne Anglin interviewed him.  She was a true sport because she had just finished playing in her season opener right before the men’s game.

Basketball Up and Running

Basketball season in the Cayman Islands is once again off to a successful start. Led by the Cayman Islands Basketball Association (CIBA), several leagues and clinics have taken shape offering vast opportunities to participate in this growing sport on Island. Whether a veteran or beginner, young or “seasoned”, female or male, all are more than welcome to come out and participate.

CIBA provides a fun, safe environment to engage in the sport of basketball, learn about teamwork and commitment as well as gain local and international recognition. CIBA provides youth the opportunity to play overseas at the High School and/or Collegiate level. To date, over a dozen local male and female youth have continued their education overseas through participation in CIBA programs.

These opportunities would not be possible without CIBA sponsorship. PwC generously continues their community outreach through their longstanding sponsorship of The PwC Basketball Under 16 Boys and Girls Leagues. Additionally, KPMG once again has been gracious in sponsoring The KPMG Basketball Under 14 Boys and Girls Leagues. Amongst many other benefits, these sponsorships allow proper statistical record keeping along with the opportunity to play games indoors, crucial for player development.

Stay tuned for updates and developments as the basketball season persists, including plans for a new facility, along with upcoming basketball related events taking place within the Cayman Islands.

For more information including sponsorship opportunities, please contact Michael Diamond at +1 (345) 916-2430 and / or Coach Voot at +1 (345) 916-5083 or visit https://caymanbasketball.com/

“Things turn out best for the people who make the best of the way things turn out.”

-John Wooden (Renowned Basketball Player and Coach)

Leagues

Men’s League

Start Date: February 19, 2017

End Date: End of May, 2017

Location: Sundays at Clifton Hunter High School, Thursdays at the ARC at Camana Bay or the CIBA Court on Eastern Avenue

Women’s League

Start Date: April 23rd

End Date: TBD

Location: Clifton Hunter High School

 

The PwC Basketball Under 16 League (Boys and Girls)

Start Date: April 1, 2017

End Date: June 3, 2017

Location: Clifton Hunter High School on Saturdays, 4 PM – 6 PM (Girls) and 6 PM – 8PM (Boys)

Sponsor: PwC

Sponsor Statement: Craig Smith, Partner at PwC says, “PwC is proud to support the PwC Basketball Under 16 boys and girls leagues as we believe that organizations such as CIBA provide a positive outlet for the youth of the Cayman Islands and encourages the kids to stay active, develop their talents and provides local and overseas opportunities which in turn forms a strong foundation for success in the future. We also recognize the individuals who are vital to running the league efficiently by volunteering their time and efforts to ensure the season is a successful one.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(From left to right: Coach Voot (CIBA), Leslie Wilson (PwC), Craig Smith (PwC), Michael Diamond (CIBA))

The KPMG Basketball Under 14 League (Boys and Girls)

Start Date: End of March, 2017

End Date: May 11, 2017

Location: 3:15 PM or 3:30 PM Mondays and Thursdays at various venues (Boys), 3:30 PM Tuesdays and Wednesdays at various venues (Girls)

Sponsor: KPMG

Sponsor Statement: “KPMG continues to support the Under 14 Basketball program as we see the value and benefits over the years that the students receive from participating, thanks to Coach Victor “Voot” O’Garro and his colleagues. We have seen the success of some of the participants continuing abroad and we look forward to the future success of other students in the program.” Andrew Stepaniuk, Partner at KPMG in the Cayman Islands stated.

 

(One of the John Gray High School Academy Teams Posing at halftime of a recent match in the KPMG Basketball Under 14 League play)

One thing is for sure; Basketball is alive and well in Cayman!  

Sol Blazers Remain Undefeated

The defending champions are continuing the dominance throughout the National Men’s League 2017 Season.  Although they aren’t doing it in the emphatic fashion as in past seasons, the Blazers are still a force to be reckoned with.  Off season trades saw the exit of started Deandre Simpson (who went to the Warriors) and Davie Cotterell (who went to the Silver Bullets) but the Veteran Kevin Maxwell and Triple Double Monster Shaad O’Garro are holding the fort with their team.  They Look forward to the return of Samuel O’Garro when he returns from his professional season in Germany.  On April 9th the Blazers took on Fix-It Celltronics in a fast paced, physical game.  Although Celltronics were keeping within striking distance, the Blazers never trailed during the game and didn’t seem to be bothered by the fact that their opponents lingered near.

Celltronics 63 points v Sol Blazers 76 points

  • Winner- Sol Blazers – Josh Cotterell 19 pts; 9 rebs; 2 as; 1 st, Kevin Maxwell 15 pts; 18 rebs; 1 as; 2sts; 2 bls, Nicholas Beverly 12 pts; 7 rebs
  • Losing Team – Celltronics – Davion Foster 20 pts; 15 rebs; 2 bls, Daniel Mowatt 17 pts; 7 rebs
Warriors Edge Past Hoopsters

The undefeated Warriors took on the young Hoopsters team at the Clifton Hunter High School on April 9th.  The Hoopsters came out with a full court press and took an early lead; in fact, they would lead for 90% of the game and it wasn’t until the final 5 minutes of the game that the Warriors would see their first lead.  This game proved experience over youth as the Warriors stuck to their strategy of attacking the basket and getting a few key Hoopsters into foul trouble. 

Hoopsters 65 points v Warriors 74 points

  • Winner – Warriors – Collin Anglin 31 pts; 2 as; 2 sts,  Kenval Bryan 15 pts; 12 rebs; 3 as; 1 st; 3 bls, Andrew Wisdom 13 pts; 22 rebs; 3 sts
  • Losing Team – Hoopsters Jamaal Miller 19 pts; 9 rebs; 3 as; 4 sts; 1 bl, Juawon Ebanks 17 pts; 7 rebs; 3 as; 3 sts, Jamel Winton 13 pts; 7 rebs; 3 as; 3 sts

National Men’s League Results Round 7

Sunday April 2

Game 1- Warriors 96 points v Celltronics 83 points

  • Winner – Warriors – *Collin Anglin 49 pts; 4 rebs; 4 as; 2 sts – *Season High
                                         Kenval Bryan – 31 pts; 15 rebs; 1as; 2 bls
  • Losing Team – Celltronics – Daniel Mowatt 19 pts
                                                     Shawn Smith 15 pts; 7 rebs

 Game 2 – Juniors 68 points v Hoopsters 66 points

  • Winner – Juniors – Tareque Simpson 21 pts; 9 rebs; 3 as; 7 sts; 3 bls
                                  Joshua O’Garro 16 pts; 5 rebs; 4 as; 6 sts; 1 bl
                                             Bryce Thompson – 12 pts; 9 rebs; 5 as; 4 sts; 3 bls
  • Losing Team – Hoopsters – Juawon Ebanks – 22 pts; 5 rebs; 4 as; 10 sts
                                             Jamaal Miller – 14 pts; 6 rebs; 3 as; 5 sts

 

Thursday April 6

Game 1- Charterland 70 points v Sol Blazers 79 points

  • Winner – Sol Blazers – Kevin Maxwell 17 pts; 9 reb; 2 bls
                                 Phillip Reid 15 pts; 8 rebs; 4 sts
                                                   Nikolai Marquis 14 pts; 6 rebs; 4 as; 2 sts
  • Losing Team – Charterland – Wil Koutney 21 pts; 3 rebs
                                                 Ryan Dolan 16 pts; 2 rebs

Game 2 – Maples 39 points v Silver Bullets 104 points

  • Winner – Silver Bullets – Kwei General 26 pts; 12 rebs; 4 as; 2 sts
                                        Peter Grant 23 pts; 6 rebs; 7 as; 9 sts; 1 bl
                                                          Davion Cotterell 22 pts; 6 rebs; 3 as; 8 sts
  • Losing Team – Maples – James Ebanks 15 pts; 3 rebs; 3 as; 3 sts
                                        Jonathan Allen 8 pts; 11 rebs
Online Stats Coming Back Soon

The moment we’ve all been waiting for is almost here.  Its been over a year now that the online stats have been down and the team at CIBA competitions committee has been hard at work to find a new solution.  In partnering with FIBA Organizer, the CIBA competitions committee is moving to a completely online stats database which also means all data will be backed up using cloud technology. This will prevent loss of data and will also allow remote statistical uploads which adds great flexibility for the data entry team that has to enter more than 200 statistical entries per game.  It is expected that the stats will be back up and fully functional within the next two weeks or less. All of the various leagues, officials, players, seasons and games have to be manually entered before stats can be uploaded. 

Truth For Youth Had Another Great Season

Although it wasn’t the story book ending they had hoped for, Truth for Youth School has nothing to be ashamed of.  Throughout the history of the Primary School League Coach Orvin Palacio has led the Truth For Youth Boys and Girls teams to multiple championships.  Truth for Youth is this age group’s most decorated School, making an appearance in both boys and girls finals.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Savannah Primary Are The Queens of Basketball

There’s no doubt that girls don’t mess around with their crown!  And this year’s Fix-It Celltronics primary school girls league proved just that.  From the onset, the defending champions – Truth for Youth School – were out for the repeat; and for a while it appeared that the crown would be returning to Truth for Youth School yet again.  But Savannah Primary refused to give up and slowly chipped away at the T4Y lead.  Tensions were mounting as the Truth for Youth fans saw their lead slowly diminishing, and the more Savannah scored, the higher the morale grew for their fans.  Neither team would allow any easy baskets.  Neither team was going to hand over the championship; it was obvious that the title would have to be earned that day.

Chloe Ebanks and Soleya Manzanares led the comeback charge for savannah, who didn’t take the lead until just minutes left in the 4th quarter.  although Naomi Hunter and the Truth for Youth squad gave a valiant effort to regain the lead, they ran out of time much to the joy of the Savannah Primary fans!  

Final Score – 11-8 in favor of Savannah Primary

Chloe Ebanks was the MVP, finishing with 5 points, 4 steals and 2 rebounds. 

Prospect Primary Takes Primary School Boys Crown

The Fix-It Celltronics Primary School league boasted an afternoon filled with excitement and stars, Prospect Primary School emerged victorious after a dramatic comeback!  They faced basketball powerhouse, Truth for Youth School – who has won multiple titles and practically makes it to the finals every year.  Truth for Youth led early, passing the ball very well, spreading the floor and finding weaknesses in their opponents’ defense.  But Prospect Primary School did not give up!  They slowly began to chip away at the 6 point lead that T4Y maintained most of the game.  

Led by Joshua Campbell, PPS turned up the heat by applying a man to man defense and with their incredible athleticism, they were able to speed up the pace of the game which worked in their favor!  By the final two minutes of the 4th quarter, PPS had a 4 point lead; but T4Y was not done!  After making one attempt at the free throw line, Truth For Youth managed to get an offensive rebound and a put back to bring the game to within 1 point.  However, Prospect managed to play “keep away” with the ball long enough for the final buzzer to expire and raised the Trophy in Victory! 

Final Score: 14-13 in favor of Prospect Primary.

Joshua Campbell was the MVP with 6 points and 5 steals.