Basketball bounces off to an impressive start!

The Fifth Annual Bequia Basketball Zonal Tournament bounced off to an impressive start at the Clive Tannis Hard Court in Bequia on Saturday July 19th. Eleven teams marched past in colourful quality uniforms, with Warriaz basketball club, and its captain Michael Peniston of Division A winning the delicious fruit cake prize for the Best Dressed Team! President of the Basketball Association, Mitchell welcomed the fans and spoke of exciting changes coming on stream for basketball in Bequia. She made mention of the young talent and development of basketball with players aged 8 to 15 registered in the the new Under 16 division, being held for the first time in Bequia! The Association is sponsoring the four youth teams in this Division which promises to be exciting and entertaining! Breaking news also is the basketball scholarship of All-Star Shawn King of the Duke home team from Murray’s State College in Oklahoma, USA. President of the National Basketball Federation, Atiba Williams also addressed the ceremony and gave his support to the BBA and commended the outstanding support for basketball by the Bequia fans!

In exhibition matches, fans got a taste for what was in store and a chance to witness the dominance of Shawn King as he led the Bequia All-Stars to an exciting victory over the visiting Valley Nets, the Championship team of Union Island! The All-Stars defeated the Valley Nets by 19 pts: 69 to 50. Leading scorer for the All-Stars was Shawn King with 22 points, 23 rebounds and 5 blocks, 4 assists! Jemmie Richardson of Valley Nets contributed 13 pts
Warriaz defeated Liberty: 66 to 37. Leading Scorer for Warriaz: Michael Peniston with 14pts
Annette King and Marcia Gordon of Liberty both contributed 8 pts each.

The Tournament is scheduled to run until September 20th. Games will take place every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday night for the duration of the tournament.

There will be 11 teams participating in three divisions as follows:
PREMIER:
Duke
East Blazers
Titans
Rising Stars

DIVISION A: Warriaz, Liberty, Rising Stars

UNDER 16:
Bequia SDA Spartans
Bequia Anglican Primary Hornets
Paget Farm Primary Nuggets
Bequia Community High School Rockets

Come out and support!