Bequia B-Ballers travel to Barbados!
Centre Shawn King dominates!

The Bequia All-Stars Basketball Club returned home on April 28th after an enjoyable 4 day tour to Barbados. The 18 member squad included 13 players, two coaches, a manager and two referees. Ten team supporters also accompanied the team. The tour was financed by the Bequia Basketball Association, with many Bequia business places and individuals giving financial contributions to make the tour possible. This is the second one of its kind, with the team having traveled to Grenada last April. The team’s coach, Junior Sutton who recently qualified as a level 3 FIBA coach, and manager Sabrina Mitchell co-coordinated the tour in an effort to give their young team exposure and take their game to a higher level.
The young All-Stars (average age of 19) played three tough games against Barbados’ top teams, all at indoor facilities, the Garfield Sobers Gymnasium and the Barbados Community College. Shawn King, the 6’ 8” centre for the All-Stars, quoted in the Advocate as “the tower of power” made a tremendous impact in all three games with spectacular dunks, and blocks, impressing the media, Bajan fans and coaches.
The experience was a great one for the Bequia ball players. The first two games were a challenge and uphill battle for the Bequia boys, who played hard, but were no match for the two Premier Division Bajan teams. With their first experience in an indoor court, the All-Stars took on the Playfair Warriors, last years Barbados Knock Out Champs. Shawn King had a game high of 31 points, 2 -guard Colin Blugh contributed 16 pts and Cornelius Farrell, the team’s captain added 10 points. The final score was 88 to 73. The toughest match up was the second game against KFC Pinelands, Barbados’ 2002 Premier Champions, and its veteran basketball players, a team well on its way to be the 2003 National Champions. Shawn King again led the scoring coming up with 24 pts, Otice Lewis added 11 points and 16 year old Craig Sam of Paget Farm put back ten points. The most competitive and exciting game was the final one against the Under 20 National team, the Tridents, who are currently in training for the Caribbean Basketball Junior Championships scheduled to begin on July 18th in Santo Domingo. The game was a physical and age match up and was a close one, with the All-Stars leading at the half 52 to 49. Superstar Shawn King led the way once again with 30 points and had a spectacular slam dunk which brought the entire crowd to its feet, Bajan and Vincentians alike, as his skill and talent was recognized by all. Forward Otice Lewis added 12 points and All-Stars guard Keon McFee netted 11 points. The Barbados Juniors came out victorious despite King’s efforts.

All-Stars with Michael Holder, Asst. Treasurer of BABA

By: Sabrina Mitchell