Got TIPS or BREAKING NEWS? Please call 1-284-442-8000 direct/can also WhatsApp same number or Email ALL news to:newsvino@outlook.com;                               ads call 1-284-440-6666

Bayside Blazers sparing no efforts in preparing to defend title

- in Hon Julian Fraser Save the Seed Basketball League
Intense scrimmage at the end of another training session for the defending champions Bayside Blazers ahead of next Saturday's league opener against the Knights. Photo: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO
Bayside Blazers coaches Rhennie O. Phipps and Jason A. Edwin hard at work ahead of the 2015 edition of the Hon Julian Fraser Save the Seed League. Photo: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO
Bayside Blazers coaches Rhennie O. Phipps and Jason A. Edwin hard at work ahead of the 2015 edition of the Hon Julian Fraser Save the Seed League. Photo: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO
Bayside Blazers begin the defense of their title against the Knights after the Opening Ceremony on Saturday August 15, 2015. Photo: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO
Bayside Blazers begin the defense of their title against the Knights after the Opening Ceremony on Saturday August 15, 2015. Photo: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO
Kevin Carragher of Digicel (BVI) sits with the Bayside Blazers team after motivating them with the importance of team work. Also in picture is Blazers' manager Julian Willock (@ Carragher's immediate right) and coaches Jason A. Edwin and Rhennie O. Phipps. Photo: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO
Kevin Carragher of Digicel (BVI) sits with the Bayside Blazers team after motivating them with the importance of team work. Also in picture is Blazers' manager Julian Willock (@ Carragher's immediate right) and coaches Jason A. Edwin and Rhennie O. Phipps. Photo: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO
Digicel (BVI) is one of the Platinum Sponsors of the Hon Julian Fraser Save the Seed Basketball League. Photo: VINO
Digicel (BVI) is one of the Platinum Sponsors of the Hon Julian Fraser Save the Seed Basketball League. Photo: VINO
DUFF'S BOTTOM, Tortola, VI – Looking to be the first team to successfully defend the Honourable Julian Fraser Save the Seed Basketball League Championship, the Bayside Blazers are leaving no stones unturned. These include motivational speeches from sponsors and intense practice.

After another practice concluded with some serious inter squad scrimmage on Saturday August 8, 2015 the new look Bayside Blazers, with some holes still in the roster, gathered on the bleachers inside the Save the Seed Energy Centre Gym and were introduced to Mr Kevin Carragher of Digicel, one of their main sponsors.

“We are sponsoring the League, sponsoring this team and sponsoring the rings,” commented Carragher. “So I hope it will be a coincidence if we are sponsors of the team that wins the rings too! When I spoke at the launch of the League people were surprised that this Irish guy knew a little about basketball, but tonight I want to reiterate that the reason Digicel is so passionate about being involved is that it is more than just going out to try to win a game, hit some points and be the best team on the court.

“So much of what you learn from your coaches is transferable into professional life, college life, school life and general life. Don’t ever think that the hard work you put in here is wasted if you don’t go onto make a career out of basketball. The biggest thing for me is the team work. Basketball is a game of super stars, but look at Golden State Warriors. A team full of players who might not be the best at everything can still win if they know their roles and play those roles.”

Carragher, who is the Head of Business Solutions at Digicel (BVI), also noted that although he wasn’t the best at sport this is a mantra he followed. “Whatever I had to do I made sure I did one hundred and 10 percent. I left it all on the court and I hope you all will too.”

Bayside Blazers now the hunted

Meanwhile, Bayside Blazers coaches Rhennie O. Phipps and Jason A. Edwin still have much to plan ahead of next Saturday’s opener against the Knights, including finding a replacement for Kellven M. Samuel, their Draft Pick, who is now heading off to attend Northeastern State University.

“As defending Champions we are now the hunted and not the hunter,” stressed Edwin. “We are going to be walking around with a target on our back and teams will be looking to beat us, fans will be against us and refs will give the opposition leeway. It’s a different mindset when you are the hunted, you have to come focused to every game, tuned into the task at hand and take it one game at a time.”

“But you have to learn to love the pressure,” commented Carragher. “Anyone can go on a run and score ten points, but can you do it when the crowd is booing, do you have the fortitude to thrive on that, can you survive under pressure?”

Phipps also added that his team has to come out positive and remember that the Bayside Blazers are the best organisation on the island and it won’t be easy to break that down. “Teams will come to give us their best shot, they will come hungry to beat us, but if we play hard, play with pride and play as a team, I guarantee you a successful season and that once again we will be lifting the trophy.”

Bayside Blazers begin the defense of their title against the Knights after the Opening Ceremony on Saturday August 15, 2015.

The full schedule of games is yet to be released.

15 Responses to “Bayside Blazers sparing no efforts in preparing to defend title”

  • ray (09/08/2015, 11:59) Like (1) Dislike (11) Reply
    Dem in for a lot of licks this time yall
  • Hmm (09/08/2015, 12:38) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    i hope nic nic with knights still i just coming to see that short man play!!! lol
  • .... (09/08/2015, 13:06) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    good job BAYSIZE KEEP YOUR HEADS UP
    • Yes (09/08/2015, 13:51) Like (2) Dislike (12) Reply
      You can't be serious. Basketball here on island isn't entertaining. Grown men acting like children. Cursing and fighting in a church and this is where all sponsorship money go.

      Digicel why didn't you sponsor National Team men's and women's. Why not sponsor high school sports teams?

      But you sponsor a league. Wait to you go see the games Mr & Mrs Sponson you will see how your money is so unappreciated.
      • @ lol (09/08/2015, 15:31) Like (12) Dislike (1) Reply
        Ok degicel harter get lost
        • huh (10/08/2015, 08:58) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
          Its true the behavior of the players is terrible. But they act same way when they play up country on weekend so what do you expect.
  • Craft (09/08/2015, 15:32) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
    The best team and the best leauge
  • @@@@@@ (09/08/2015, 17:09) Like (2) Dislike (4) Reply
    My money on knights and splash brothers
  • big girl rules (09/08/2015, 17:20) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    Bayside blazers got some hot guys
  • Tatics (10/08/2015, 10:22) Like (0) Dislike (3) Reply
    The East side going be victorious at the league this year not the blazers - Zone 6, Splash bro. or maybe Talk Done
    • @tatics (10/08/2015, 11:27) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
      Which east team you talking bout not Spartans remix. Lucky if them beat the phillos.
  • # 1 FAN (10/08/2015, 11:50) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    GO BLAZERS YOU WILL TAKE THIS AGAIN


Create a comment


Create a comment

Disclaimer: Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) welcomes your thoughts, feedback, views, bloggs and opinions. However, by posting a blogg you are agreeing to post comments or bloggs that are relevant to the topic, and that are not defamatory, liable, obscene, racist, abusive, sexist, anti-Semitic, threatening, hateful or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be excluded permanently from making contributions. Please view our declaimer above this article. We thank you in advance for complying with VINO's policy.

Follow Us On

Disclaimer: All comments posted on Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) are the sole views and opinions of the commentators and or bloggers and do not in anyway represent the views and opinions of the Board of Directors, Management and Staff of Virgin Islands News Online and its parent company.