The ESHS boys squad includes Renrick Massac Junior, Devante Brewley, Malique Wattley, Michael Richardson, Lestin Wiltshire, D’Moi M. Hodge, Malachy S. Payne, Trent Herbert and Tre’ Von Fret. The Coach is Steve E. Parillon. Photo: Provided

Charlotte Amalie, Eudora Kean, VI Montessori and Antilles School will represent the St Thomas-St John district while Central High, Educational Complex and St Joseph’s will do the same for St Croix. Rounding out the boys’ bracket are Elmore Stoutt High School and newcomers St George’s from the [British] Virgin Islands. Photo: VIC

ESHS Rams will be boosted by the inclusion of Malachy S. Payne and D’Moi M. Hodge who recently benefitted from the Digicel NBA Elite Programme in the United States. Photo: Provided

As well as St George’s making their debut in ISAA action, Gray Collegiate Academy Basketball from South Carolina will also be making their way to the Virgin Islands to take on the best boys’ teams the Greater Virgin Islands has to offer.

"I felt like it was a great opportunity for our kids to visit and see a different culture," said Gray Collegiate Academy Head Coach Dion Bethea. "[The] Virgin Islands trip will be used as an educational tool as well. We are super excited."

Teams

Charlotte Amalie, Eudora Kean, VI Montessori and Antilles School will represent the St Thomas-St John district while Central High, Educational Complex and St Joseph’s will do the same for St Croix. Rounding out the boys’ bracket are Elmore Stoutt High School and newcomers St George’s from the [British] Virgin Islands. 

The ESHS boys squad includes Renrick Massac Junior, Devante Brewley, Malique Wattley, Michael Richardson, Lestin Wiltshire, D’Moi M. Hodge, Malachy S. Payne, Trent Herbert and Tre’ Von Fret. The Coach is Steve E. Parillon.

“We are trying to get the basketball programme up to where it should be even though we have lost some players. However, the squad has been working hard and with the likes of Payne, Hodge and Brewley it will be exciting to see the opportunities and see how far we can go in the tournament,” Parillon told Virgin Islands News Online.

ESHS Rams begin tournament play against Central High from St Croix.

St George’s looking to make ‘a mark’ on debut

St George’s face Charlotte Amalie High in their first game with a squad that includes Tiger Williams, Reon Pickering, Dante Springette, Makaio Garria, Cory Flax-Solomon, Kaundre Clarke, D’Aundre Penn, Shemarr Morrison, Donaldson Layne and Dylan Penn.

The Team Manager is Sheniek Erickson and the Coach Javon Carty.

“We have a young team participating in not only their first tournament but also the first time as a basketball team from the school. We are looking forward to making a mark, representing the school as best as possible and hope they have fun and enjoy themselves. They are definitely motivated and we aim to do well,” noted Carty.

Team Captain Williams has been impressed with his team’s work ethic. “The guys are very committed and have put in some hard work to reach this point. We are very excited to be taking part and will be looking to seeing some good things from the likes of the Penn’s, Flax-Solomon and Layne. We don’t know anything about who we will play, but it would be a big game if we meet ESHS.”

ESHS Lady Rams

The tournament will also feature six of the best girls’ teams in the Greater Virgin Islands. St Thomas: Charlotte Amalie, Eudora Kean, and Antilles; St Croix: Central High, and Educational Complex and Tortola: Elmore Stoutt High School (ESHS).

The ESHS Lady Rams squad includes Shelcy Hodge, Laresha Martin, Takara Scatliffe, Chaunlee Hodge, Nandi Christopher, Mahkayla Pickering and Ambah Penn.

Education first

It should also be noted that the [British] Virgin Islands’ schools stuck to a rigid academic standard and some of the more well-known or better players have not been selected due to poor grades or, in some cases, passport issues.

“Some players won’t be making this trip as the school had certain criteria and academics have to come first. We are making sure they all know they are student athletes and schoolwork has to come first,” stated Parillon.

Meanwhile, games are scheduled for Friday January 15 through Monday January 18, 2016.

The championship games are scheduled for Monday at 10 a.m. for the girls with the boys’ game to follow after. All games will be held at the Ivanna Eudora Kean High School gymnasium on St Thomas, USVI.

This is the second year McDonald’s in the US Virgin Islands has partnered with the St Thomas – St John Interscholastic Athletic Association and the VI Department of Education as the title sponsor of the tournament.