The ESHS Rams are the champions of the inaugural ESHS Invitational Basketball Tournament. Photo: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO

Part of the action in the inaugural ESHS Invitational Basketball Tournament at the Multi-Purpose Sports Complex on Saturday March 14, 2015. Photo: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO

Led by 16 points from Akeem Nibbs, who would later be named as the Tournament's Most Valuable Player, ESHS recovered from a four point first quarter deficit to lead 29-17 at the half way point, outscoring their opponents by 16 points in the second quarter

The More than Ball team fought back to get to within six points during a frenetic fourth quarter, before ESHS coach Steve Parillon responded by putting Nibbs and Devonte Brewley back on court to regain the momentum against the tiring More than Ball and secure victory, 57-42.

“It was a great Tournament for ESHS, we couldn’t get some of the bigger schools to come, but we hope they will come next year having seen how successful it was. I was proud of my guys too, we had a tough battle with More than Ball, but we are better prepared for such games having played Inter Scholastic games in St Thomas,” commented Tournament Organiser and ESHS Coach Steve Parillon.

Keith '88' Malone coached the Runners Up. “We won some games based on our fitness, as we train harder than most. Playing these games was a great opportunity for them to show their talent. Unfortunately, we had some players missing like Rolando Rodgers, Tahj Malone, Romain Minott, Neville Smith Junior etc and were a little short handed in the rotation.” 

The third place game also came to an exciting climax as the visiting Antilles High School team from St Thomas overcame Bregado Flax Educational Centre Secondary Division, 38-37.  

Antilles' Ethan Lysiah finished the game with 11 points whle BFEC's Stephon Gaul led all scorers with 16 points.

The Rams’ Nibbs also claimed the Most Steals award, whilst Eral Penn picked up the Most Blocks trophy

In earlier games, Keon Smith had fired More than Ball into final contention with powerful performances in the 25-20 win over Antilles School and the 41-33 victory against BFEC.

“Against Antilles we had to up our game on defense and went man on man. That stopped them playing and allowed us to get the win. I scored some valuable points and that set up the rest of the Tournament,” Smith stated.

ESHS Rams beat BFEC, 49-34 and the team from the Technical and Vocational School suffered a 39-9 blowout. Mercy Rule were defeated by Antilles, before Antilles suffered the same fate, 49-19 to the Rams.

Eustace “Boss” Freeman coached the youngsters of Tech Voc. “The Kids love the game, it’s a young programme and they are all really new to it as we only put the team together last week, so it’s a learning experience to get their feet wet.”