Fifteen teams in Bequia Basketball Tournament’s 15th edition

The annual Bequia Basketball Association Basketball Tournament is off and bouncing with 15 teams participating in the 15th edition.{{more}}

The opening of the 2013 tournament, however, had to be pushed back by one day, following a power outage last Saturday at the Clive Tannis hard court in Bequia.

But the wait was worth the while, as when things got going last Sunday, there was an impressive opening ceremony.

At Sunday’s opening ceremony, president of the Bequia Basketball Association and the Caribbean Basketball regional secretary general Sabrina Mitchell congratulated the entire basketball fraternity in Bequia, including the players, referees, coaches, sponsors, and patrons on 15 years of sustained growth of the sport on the island.

Mitchell also congratulated Bequia referee Michael Peniston on having successfully attained his International FIBA Referee license, joining Shem Ollivierre as the only two FIBA qualified referees in St Vincent and the Grenadines.

She informed that two other referees in Bequia are looking to take the international exam later this year, as the Association continues its efforts to develop a professional cadre of basketball referees.

Mitchell thanked the St Vincent Brewery Ltd, Shafia London-Williams, and Courts SVG Ltd for their sponsorship of this year’s competition, as well as the Frangipani Hotel, Vintages Bequia, and many Bequia business houses which support the tournament financially every year.

Last year’s first division runner-up East Blazers was adjudged the Best Dressed; they received a cake as a prize.

Following the opening ceremony, Bequia All-Stars Club beat a visiting Carriacou team 79-37. The leading scorer for the Bequia All-Stars Club was Keithroy Lavia with 13 points, while Kerry Alexis of Carriacou contributed 10 points.

In another match played, second division defending champions Wizards defeated Blazing Heat 81-44.

Orlando Blugh led the way for Wizards with 18 points and also pulled down 20 rebounds, while Blazing Heat’s leading scorer was Mark Browne with 12 points.

Matches in the tournament are set for Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays .

September 1 is the date set aside for the conclusion of the 2013 tournament.