Bequia basketball tournament closes off

The candles were blown out last Sunday night at the Clive Tannis hard court in Bequia on the sweet sixteenth Vita Malt Bequia Basketball Association’s tournament.{{more}}

On the night, the lone title which was to be determined was the second division champion.

Last year’s winner – Blazing Heat closed off the run against Rising Stars Two, beating them 56-51. The previous night, Blazing Heat forced a game three with a 49-40 triumph.

Rising Stars Two had clinched game one 49-48.

Blazing Heat’s Mark Browne was the most valuable player of the final series, with his team mate – Denroy Hutchins, the most valuable player of the division.

Hutchins registered 89 points, 102 rebounds, 11 assists, 10 steals, 32 blocks in six games. He added his team’s most valuable player accolade and the most blocks trophies to his bounty.

Blazing Heat joined Under-16 winners – Dragons and First Division repeat champions – Duke as the top outfits for 2014.

Dragons had secured a 2-0 win over Rockets in their finals. Dragons’ Kirsta Bailey not only took his team’s most valuable player award but the overall award for that division.

Bailey notched up 83 points, had 79 rebounds, 19 assists, 58 steals and 14 blocks in ten games.

Reon Ollivierre collected Rockets’ most valuable player award and also received three other trophies – most points, most rebounds and most blocks with 93, 97 and 17 respectively.

Making the rookie recognition list were Tamara Woodley and Corey Lewis for their efforts on the court as well as performing scorekeeping duties for the duration of the tournament!

Meanwhile, three players were awarded most improved players in their respective divisions.

The Under-16 recipient was Michael Peniston, second division – Gavin Michael and the first division – Garret Edwards.

Despite being knocked out at the semi-final stage by Warriaz, it was Rising Stars’ Kirstin Lampkin, who recorded the best statistics in the first division, thus earning him the overall most valuable player award, that of his team and added the most points trophy to the loot.

Lampkin poured in 170 points, had 99 rebounds, 30 assists, 25 steals and 16 blocks in eight games.

Duke’s Ishama Mc Kree was the most valuable player in the final series contributing 26 points in game two and 35 points in game one. Duke blanked 2-nil to retain the first division title.

President of the Bequia Basketball Association Sabrina Mitchell thanked the main sponsors of the event, Vita Malt and the St Vincent Brewery as well as Courts SVG Limited for their support of Bequia basketball over the years.

She thanked games secretary also FIBA referee Michael Peniston for his excellent management of the tournament, completing all 73 games on schedule despite many rained out games, which had to be rescheduled.

Mitchell heaped gratitude on the Bequia community for their loyal patronage of the sport, coming out in their numbers to watch their favourite teams perform. (RT)