Category Basketball

🏀 Let the Madness Begin!

Heineken 0 In-Season Tournament Bracket Revealed

Basketball fans, the stage is officially set for the Inaugural Heineken 0 In-Season Tournament—and if the bracket reveal is any indication, we’re in for an action-packed week of elite basketball and unforgettable matchups.

On the evening of March 27th, team representatives gathered for a live draw event hosted by Dionne Anglin of Radio Cayman’s Sports Xtra. Each team took their chance at the Heineken 0 Bowl, drawing a number that determined their position in the single-elimination bracket.

Now, the brackets are locked in—and here’s what we’ve got:

🗓️ Tournament Dates

  • Tip-off: Sunday, March 30th at the ARC
  • Championship Game: Saturday, April 6th

📊 Official Bracket Draw Results

  1. Sol Blazers
  2. Michelob Ultra (AKA Blades)
  3. SLK Hoods
  4. Lions
  5. Corona
  6. Pilipinas Smoothie King
  7. IRG Astros
  8. Jan B Pilipinas

The bracket sets up some fascinating first-round clashes.

🔥 Top Storylines to Watch

  • Will the SLK Hoods make a statement in their opening round matchup? Known for their physical play and fast pace, they’ll be a tough out for anyone.
  • The Lions, with a strong draw, are eyeing a deep run. Can their depth and experience take them to the title?
  • Pilipinas Smoothie King vs. Corona promises to be one of the most exciting first-round matchups—a true clash of tempo and styles.
  • Dark horse alert? Don’t sleep on Jan B Pilipinas or IRG Astros—both teams have shown flashes of brilliance this season.
  • Will the #1 Ranked Sol Blazers Get Tipped Over by Michelob Ultra?

🏆 The Road to Glory

With only one team able to claim the title of In-Season Tournament Champion, the pressure is on. There’s no room for error. One bad night and you’re out. One great week, and you etch your name in history.

This tournament is about pride, passion, and proving who belongs at the top of Cayman’s basketball scene.

🙌 Thank You to Our Sponsor

A massive shoutout to Heineken 0, the official sponsor of this year’s tournament. Your commitment to promoting sports and wellness in the Cayman Islands is helping to fuel the next generation of athletic excellence.

🏀 Let the Games Begin

The matchups are set, the bracket is official, and now it’s time to ball.
Follow all the tournament action, results, and highlights at www.caymanbasketball.com and on our social media channels.

Who will rise? Who will fall? Who will take the crown?
We’ll find out over seven days of fire, hustle, and pure basketball energy.

Game on.

CIBA Celebrates International Men’s Day with Inspiring Player Development Camp

In a dynamic celebration of International Men’s Day, the Cayman Islands Basketball Association (CIBA) joined forces with the Family Resource Center to host an unforgettable Player Development Camp. The clinic, led by renowned former NBA scout and trainer Irv Roland, brought together over 60 young athletes for a day filled with skill-building, inspiration, and invaluable life lessons.

Elevating the Game with Irv Roland

Irv Roland, known for his extensive experience working with some of the NBA’s top talents, brought his expertise and passion to the Cayman courts. During the clinic, participants were guided through drills and exercises designed to enhance their basketball fundamentals, from shooting mechanics to court awareness. Roland’s emphasis on hard work, focus, and dedication left a lasting impression on the young athletes, inspiring them to reach for new heights both on and off the court.

A Platform for Growth and Mentorship

The camp was more than just a basketball clinic—it was a platform for mentorship and personal development. Following the on-court session, Roland engaged with the participants in a Q&A session, sharing insights from his career and offering practical advice on overcoming challenges and pursuing dreams. From stories of working with elite players to discussing the importance of character and resilience, the session provided invaluable lessons that resonated with the young athletes.

Celebrating International Men’s Day

This special event, held in honor of International Men’s Day, highlighted the importance of creating opportunities for young men to grow, connect, and thrive. By combining basketball development with life skills education, the camp reinforced the values of teamwork, discipline, and perseverance—qualities that are essential both on the court and in everyday life.

CIBA’s Commitment to Youth Development

CIBA’s collaboration with the Family Resource Center for this event underscores the association’s commitment to empowering the youth of the Cayman Islands. By hosting events like the Player Development Camp, CIBA continues to provide young athletes with access to world-class training and mentorship, helping to nurture the next generation of leaders and players.

A Bright Future Ahead

The success of the camp is a testament to the power of collaboration and the potential of Cayman’s youth. To all the players who participated, thank you for bringing your energy, enthusiasm, and commitment to the court. And to Irv Roland, thank you for sharing your expertise and inspiring our young athletes to dream big.

As CIBA looks ahead to future initiatives, events like this Player Development Camp remind us of the incredible impact we can have when we come together to invest in our youth. Here’s to building brighter futures, one game at a time.

CaymanBasketball #InternationalMensDay #PlayerDevelopment #YouthEmpowerment

Sol Blazers Solidify Their Dynasty

In a dramatic display of basketball prowess, the Sol Blazers triumphed over the IRG Astros with a final score of 98-86, securing their second consecutive and eleventh overall championship title. This victory was not just a win but a testament to the Blazers’ sustained excellence and dominance in the league.

Top Performers for the IRG Astros:

  1. Davion Cotterell once again proved why he’s a key player, delivering a powerhouse performance with 37 points. His relentless attacks and shooting from both inside and beyond the arc kept the Astros competitive throughout the game. Cotterell also contributed 6 rebounds and 3 assists, showcasing his all-around skills on the court.
  2. Jake Whittaker supported the team with 16 points and 10 rebounds, achieving a critical double-double. Whittaker’s efforts on the boards and his scoring inside provided much-needed stability and scoring depth for the Astros.
  3. La-Rue Nixon added a valuable 13 points, including an impressive 60% from three-point land, which highlighted his shooting capabilities. Nixon’s contributions were crucial in keeping the game within reach during key moments.

Top Performers for the Sol Blazers:

  1. Tarik Smith-James led his team with a spectacular 42 points, dominating the court with his shooting efficiency. Smith-James was unstoppable from beyond the arc, where he nailed 6 of 11 attempts, and he was perfect from the free-throw line, making all 12 of his shots. His playmaking was also on display with 7 assists, orchestrating the Blazers’ offense to perfection.
  2. Samuel O’Garro contributed significantly with 31 points, showcasing a phenomenal 75% shooting from two-point range and an impressive 54.5% from three-point range. O’Garro’s dynamic performance was crucial in extending the lead and putting pressure on the Astros’ defense.
  3. Shaad O’Garro was a defensive powerhouse, blocking 7 shots which set the tone defensively for the Blazers. Offensively, he added 11 points and collected 10 rebounds, achieving a double-double that underscored his impact on both ends of the floor.

The game itself was a showcase of high-intensity basketball with the Sol Blazers displaying a masterclass in shooting precision. Their remarkable 52.6% shooting from the field and an astonishing 100% from the free-throw line were indicative of their focused play and execution under pressure. Meanwhile, the IRG Astros fought valiantly but struggled to match the Blazers’ efficiency and depth, particularly in the crucial moments.

This victory for the Sol Blazers is a crowning achievement, reinforcing their legacy as a powerhouse in the league. Their ability to perform under pressure and rise to the occasion in crucial games has been a hallmark of their success. As they lift their eleventh title, the Blazers not only celebrate their victory today but also affirm their enduring excellence and dominance in the sport. This championship game was not just a win but a celebration of skill, strategy, and the spirit of basketball at its best.

WATCH THE GAME HERE!

Infinity All Stars Shine Bright on Championship Night

Infinity and Infinity All Stars faced off in a thrilling basketball match that kept the audience on the edge of their seats. The game was held on December 17th, 2023, and was a closely contested affair, with both teams putting up a good fight.

Infinity All-Stars emerged victorious with a score of 71-68. The team Infinity’s defense was particularly impressive, with the team blocking 8 shots and stealing the ball 4 times. Infinity All Stars, on the other hand, struggled with their shooting, making only 30 out of 83 field goal attempts. But their persistence paid off! When Infinity’s top scorer Lorrie Brown fouled out early in the 4th quarter, that pretty much sealed the fate of her team, as they had to play with 4 players for the remainder of the 4th quarter. Although they tried valiantly, it was not enough against Selezqua mcLaughlin and her team!

Shantell Wilks was the star of the game for Infinity, scoring 32 points and grabbing 22 rebounds. She was also a force on defense, blocking 7 shots. Kezia Parchmont was the other standout player for Infinity, scoring 18 points and grabbing 15 rebounds.

For Infinity All Stars, Selezqua McLaughlin was the top scorer with 27 points, 9 rebounds and 4 steals. Bethany Ebanks was the other standout player for Infinity All Stars, scoring 19 points and grabbing 15 rebounds.

The game was a testament to the skill and determination of both teams, who put up a great fight. Infinity All Star’s victory was well-deserved, and the team will be looking to build on this performance in the coming years.

IRG gives AL Thompson’s their final tour!

🏀🏀IRG Astros advance as expected on the shoulders of Davion Cotterell.

Despite having a six man roster and being plagued with injuries, the Astros proved their weight in gold as they blew out the AL Thompson Hammers 92-71.

Davion Cotterell was one assist shy of a triple double and 3 rebounds short of making a quadruple double. He led the Astros with 48 points, 11 rebounds, 9 assists, 7 steals.

Adam Milburn followed with 13 points.

LaRue Nixon added 11 points.

For AL Thompson Hammers

Jameson Tippen led the Astros with 31 points, 7 rebounds.

Daniel Quinland followed 13 points,

Nick Beradi 12 points, 5 rebounds.

Tikko Moore added 11 points.

Player of the Week

🏀PLAYER OF THE WEEK🏀

Davion Cotterell was one assist shy of a triple double and 3 rebounds short of making a quadruple double when he led the IRG Astros with 48 points, 11 rebounds, 9 assists, 7 steals, 1 block.

In Monday’s game against Celltronics, Cotterell scored a career high of 50 points.

Silver Bullets Advance

As expected Silver Bullets clamped down for the win against CI Hoopsters last Sunday at the John Gray Gym.

Tazmar Dawkins top scored for Silver Bullets with 21 points, 4 rebounds, 2 Assists, 2 steals; Joanki Montero followed with 19 points, 6 steals, 3 assists and Tarique Simpson added 12 points and a monsterous15 rebounds.

In a losing effort, For CI Hoopsters, Leon Harris and Jaylin Johnson both led their team with 18 points. Harris grabbed 9 rebounds to Johnson’s 3 steals though.

The Bullets beat their opponent 77 to 44 in the single emlination match to head into the playoffs and faceoff against 2nd seeded IRG Astros this week.

PHOTO CREDIT: Helen Jones CIBA Photgrapher

Juniors Upset Seniors

In more playoff action…

It was a battle between the 4th and 5th seeds.

4th place Western Union Juniors defeted 5th place Celltronics 90 to 84 in the single elimination match on Moday night at the John Gray gym.

For Juniors, Jathan Barnes top scored with 28 points, 5 steals, 5 rebounds; Marcus Fletcher followed with 19 points, 6 rebounds, 3 steals, 2 blocks; Keller Wilson added 12 points, 4 steals; Jeheil Henry contributed 9 points. The highest rebounder for the team was Noel Squire with 7.

For Celltronics, Daniel Mowatt led the charge with 29 points, Damion Powell followed with 19 points, 20 rebounds, 2 steals, Davion Foster added 13 points, 11 rebounds and Gavin Reid contributed 10 points, 5 steals, 5 rebounds. Rick Henry aka Broklyn grabbe 18 rebouds with 7 points.

Though Celltronics lost the battle they clearly beat the Juniors on the boards and were point for point with their opponents…so what happened? Celltronics had a small bench and with two key players fouling out, there was not enough depth on the team to keep up with the Juniors who took advantage of this opportunity to advance to the semi-finals.

WU Juniors will now face 1st seed Burger King Warriors in the semi-finals this week.

All CIBA games are played at the John Gray Gumnasium.

Deloitte Player of the Week – Boys

Marcus Fletcher earns player of the week rights for the Deloitte Under 19 Boys Basketball League.  Fletcher (of team Chino Hills) was the only player with a double digit scoring average, finishing with 30 points in his two games. Fletcher also was 2nd in Assists, 3rd in steals, 1st in 3 pointers made.  

Fletcher also shot 100% from 3 point range and 44% from within the ARC. 

Can Fletcher lead his team to the top of the standings this week?  Or will the formidable Sol Blazers remain undefeated?  Action continues this Sunday at 4:00 PM for the Boys. 

Basketball Standout O’Garro Commits to Oklahoma

By: Kevin Morales.

Caymanian Joshua O’Garro is making history.

O’Garro this week verbally committed to play basketball at the University of Oklahoma, which would make him the first Caymanian to play the sport at the NCAA Division I level.

“It’s a great day,” Cayman Islands basketball technical director Voot O’Garro told the Cayman Compass on Friday.

Joshua O’Garro this year wrapped up his junior season at Santa Clarita High School, in California. He caught the attention of several Division I men’s basketball programmes while moving up recruiting site rankings. He’s considered a three-star recruit by Rivals.com – one of the United States’ most recognised recruiting news services – which rates players on a five-star system. He was ranked a four-star recruit by 247Sports.com.

“It is a great program,” O’Garro told Rivals.com’s Corey Evans of OU. “They make great players and that’s what I want to be and I feel that Coach (Lon) Kruger and the staff are all invested in me as a person on and off the court. They believe in me and my abilities and I won’t let their belief go to waste.”

Evans tweeted a graphic illustration on Thursday showing O’Garro in a Sooners jersey. Oklahoma’s official men’s basketball Twitter account retweeted it.

O’Garro had planned on playing one more year of high school basketball. He reclassified to the class of 2020, however, because he met college academic requirements between his time at Santa Clarita and another prep school he previously attended, according to Voot O’Garro.

NCAA Division I is the top level of college sports in the US. The Sooners play in the Big 12 Conference, which is one of the most prestigious conferences in the US in terms of athletics success.

“The Cayman Islands native is one of the more gifted athletes we’ve had at BTI in 23 years,” tweeted BTI, O’Garro’s club team.

The Sooners have four players that currently play in the National Basketball Association, including the Detroit Pistons four-time All-Star Blake Griffin, Atlanta Hawks All-Star point guard Trey Young and Sacramento Kings guard Buddy Hield, who won the 3-point shootout competition at the 2020 NBA All-Star Weekend.

Oklahoma had made the NCAA Men’s Basketball National Championship tournament in five of the last six years before the 2020 tournament was called off due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Sooners had put together a 19-12 record before the 2020 season was cancelled.

Joshua O’Garro has given a verbal commitment but has not yet signed his National Letter of Intent to attend the school, which would make the announcement official. He plans to redshirt next year, Voot O’Garro said. If a player is ‘redshirted’ it means the athlete is enrolled at the school and remains a member of the team but will not play that season. The player therefore does not begin his or her four years of eligibility to play until the following academic year.

As for the young athlete heading to Oklahoma, “This is going to take Cayman Islands basketball to the next level,” Caymanian basketball coach Corey McGee said.