Being a part of Cayman’s first FIBA 3×3 experience was great. Being in the FIBA environment with over 25 countries represented, seeing the different styles of play from very experienced teams, adjusting to the way the game is officiated for 3×3 vs 5 on 5; all of these things have certainly made this experience a very good one. It has given insight on how Cayman can prepare for the next 3×3 tournament and the players will know what to expect in terms of physicality.
The Cayman team has received a lot of encouragement and compliments from fellow Caribbean teams and federations, who have all testified to the learning curve they experienced at their first 3X3 tournaments as well. All in all, it bodes well for Cayman’s continued growth and development.
On April 28th, 10 Teams from the CIBA National Men’s Basketball League took the court to vy for the crown of this year’s first in a series of 3×3 Tournaments. The games were fast paced and loaded with offensive action! 3X3 is continuous and has a 12 second shot clock; so teams do not have any time to relax! As time progressed, the cream of the crop began to rise to the top; the Sol Blazers, Astros, Plantito and Silver Bullets would emerge as the top 4. The Bullets, led by Lance Welcome, tried to give Davie Cotterell, Whittaker and Rankine a run for their money, but the size and strength of the Astros was too much to handle.
On the other court, Plantito – a combination of the Philippines’ finest, took on the Blazers; but the O’Garro brothers, Omar Clarke and Justin Golob proved to be too much to handle. This would ultimately lead to the showdown that most expected; the Blazers and the Astros. As fate would have it this actually turns out to be the same teams that will face each other in the semi finals of the division one playoffs. Both teams were trading baskets for the first few minutes; it seemed impossible for one team to stop the other from scoring. But each time the Astros would score one point the Blazers would come back with two. This began to open up a little breathing space for the Blazers. But the Astros came storming back and a late long range shot from Shaad O’Garro sealed he deal to wind things up with a 21-17 finish.
The Blazers were awarded some gift certificates from Smoothie King, Winner Circle Sports and from the Title Sponsor – Cayman Cabana.
It was an exciting evening and players are already looking forward to the next tournament which takes place on May 19th.
3×3 is on fire in Cayman! With the success and excitement of the Senior divisions on display for all to see, the Juniors decided to take to the court to test their metal as well!
On October 20th, 4 teams took to the court to compete for 3×3 Supremacy! It was a very competitive field, there was no clear winner expected. No team would go without a loss; players were acclimating themselves to the new style of play and the rules. But when the smoke was clear, The Teams Splash (Enarre Smiith, Nicolai Manzanares, Aiden Shields and Daniel Stone) and Hoop Squad (Ryan Munoz, Ayo Ogunyebi, Lewis Wilks and Joshua Whittaker) would eventually meet in the finals.
Daniel Stone took advantage of his monstrous inside presence early and carried his team into the lead, buy Ogunyebi brought his team back with a series of crafty baskets inside. However, the distributed scoring of Smith, Manzanares and Stone proved to be a bit too much for the Hoop Squad.
Final score: Splash 8, Hoop Squad 4.
From L-R, Nicolai Manzanares, Enarre Smith, Daniel Stone, Aiden Shields
The past two 3×3 tournaments have all seen different champions. If you were left thinking “why should this one be any different?” then you would be right.
With BlazTros taking Round 1 and Gladiators taking Round 2, The Monarchs decided that it was time for them to assume the throne of the Triple Threat 3×3 Tournament.
Revamped and loaded with firepower, the team of Jerome Narcisse, Samuel O’Garro, Stephan Cotterell and Kwei General came out with blood in their eyes; even making the bold prediction “we are winning this”. They did not disappoint! They began by taking down the defending champs 18-17, then disposing of Blaztros 21-5. They sent the chosen ones packing 21-16 and would meet with the Gladiators once again for an epic, winner-takes-all finale!
Although Tikko Moore came out hot for and carried much of the load offensively for the Gladiators, it was not enough for the lights out shooting of Samuel O’Garro and the precision-based execution of Narcisse.
Team Bank Charge has established itself as the queens of 3×3 by capturing their 3rd consecutive 3×3 tournament title. However, this one did not come without a scare. A revamped Kaash Team, consisting of April Ebanks, Vania Cornwall and Vicky Gray, actually handed Bank Charge their first loss of the season during round robin play.
It was certainly up for grabs and everyone was certain that it would come down to a rematch for the title. But Bank Charge got hot late in the game with an onslaught of 3’s from Chloe Powery-Doxey and Hannah Parchment. One minute, it was 11-10 and then It just began raining 3’s! When that starts happening, hopes get diminished really quickly! In the end, Bank Charge would emerge as the undisputed champs for this series of tournaments, sponsored by the Cayman Islands Classic.
It was another exciting evening of three on three basketball action! Eight teams took to the court for 3 on 3 supremacy and bragging rights for the “hoop it up” tournament which is the second of a series of tournaments sponsored by the Cayman Islands Classic and in conjunction with a Cayman Islands Basketball Association.
For the men’s division, last week’s second place finishers – the Gladiators – came out with blood in their eyes and eager for revenge on the BlazTros. But they would have to wait for another day as the team called “The Chosen One” advanced to the finals after a three way tie between them, the Blaztros and team “Dem Ones”.
In such instances where there is a tie between teams, placement is then decided by total points scored. This is what propelled “the chosen ones” from being an underdog to competing for the championship and a grand prize of $1000.
But the Gladiators Would not be denied. In what seemed to be a performance motivated by a Russell Crowe-like speech, the gladiators lived up to their name and showed the Chosen Ones that they were chosen for second place. Final Score: 21-15
In the women’s division; the only question was who would be meeting the team called “bank charge” in the finals? The combination of Hannah Parchment’, Chloe powery-Doxey and Guiesha Smith proved to be Golden in the “who got game” three on three basketball tournament last week. But could they be strong enough for a repeat?
Team “truly infinity”, the most worthy adversaries and runners up in the previous tournament, also came on strong; but with their leader Vicky Gray missing, there was not quite enough firepower to overcome Bank Charge in the finals. Youngsters Lorrie Brown and Shantel Wilks led the way for Infinity and certainly have a right future ahead. Final score: 18-9 in favor of Bank Charge who are double champions!
L-R: Guiesha Smith, Hannah Parchment, Chloe Powery-DoxeyFrom left to right: Deandre Simpson, Tikko Moore, Jerome Narcisse, Curtis Wilson
The combination of the SOL Blazers and IRG Astros have proven to be a worthy concoction. Despite facing intense competition from fellow national team rivals from the Gladiators, the monarchs and Dem Ones, The team combo of Shaad O’Garro, Davi Cotterell , Jake Whitaker and Justin Golab proved to be a little too much for their counterparts.
Both the BlazeTros and the Gladiators went undefeated in the regular round play and were destined to meet in the finals. The crowd would not be disappointed as the game went down to the wire and saw Shaad O’Garro hit the game winning shot in overtime to bring home the bacon for his team.
The players are already looking forward to the next tournament which is the hoop it up three on three tournament which takes place on October 15 at the arts and recreation center once again. Only time will tell if the Blazetros will manage to come out on too once again or can the Gladiators exact revenge.
Most of Cayman’s top female basketball players came out to show their stuff and take part in what was for most of them, their first ever 3 on 3 competition locally.
They were pleasantly surprised at the new format of the FIBA three on three competition. The continuous, fast paced style of play, the intensity, and the level of competitiveness certainly made it an enjoyable experience with the players yearning for more. Throughout the intense battle the team called Bancha emerged victorious. Defeating the rival opponents Truly Infinity (Vicky Gray, Shantel Wilks and Lorrie Brown) by a score of 13 to 11.
The championship team Is comprised of Hannah Parchment’, Chloe Powery – Doxey and Guiesha Smith. The tournament is sponsored by the Cayman Islands Classic which would also be donating tickets to the games to the champs of each tournament.
All eyes are now set on the next competition – the Hoop It Up 3 on 3 Tournament which takes place on October 15th at the ARC once again! interested persons should visit the CIBA website at CaymanBasketball.com to register their team Before the deadline of October 14.
Step 1 – Click on the Register Here Button to go directly to the FIBA Registration Page
Step 2 – Click on the Blue “Register Team” Button
Step 3 – Scroll Down the page and Click on the “Register Team” Button next to the category you are entering. Then follow the instructions to complete your registration.
