The Virgin Islands had a poor showing at the free throw line against Barbados in the CBC U-16 Championships in Guyana on July 3, 2016. Photo: Facebook

Virgin Islands attack the basket against Barbados in their thrilling game on July 3, 2016. Photo: Facebook

The Virgin Islands team are given instructions by their coach Jason A. Edwin in the 4th quarter of their game against Barbados. Photo: Facebook

The 16 and under basketball team will be hoping to finish in the top 3 of the CBC Championships in Guyana. Photo: Provided

After a fast-paced first quarter that ended with Barbados leading 17-9, both teams started moving the ball better with the VI squad going on a 15-8 run to bring the game to within one point which was highlighted by K'Moi Walters who made a double crosser followed by a spin move that got his defender Zachary Moore skating on the floor to the admiration of the crowd.

Both teams traded buckets but the VI's superior ball movement in the second period allowed the men clad in green to take a one-point lead heading into the halftime break with the score on 34-33.

VI was hot out of the gates to start the second half, pushing the pace of the ball for some easy points at the rim while holding Barbados to just five points in the third quarter to head into the final period with a 15 point lead and the score on 53-38.

The Barbados fightback

Facing a 15-point deficit, Barbados switched to a full-court press defensive set that allowed them to chip away at the lead.

A big three by Rasheed Maynard cut the lead to 55-49 with 2:50 on the clock; however, Maynard would also hit two of three free throws to give his squad a one-point lead with the score on 62-61. Darren Nurse would subsequently ice the game by hitting one of two free throws followed by a big offensive rebound by Maynard to close out the game.

VI had opportunities to regain the lead in the final moments but failed to score some crucial free throws.

Moore top scored for Barbados with 13 points while Maynard scored seven of his 10 points in the fourth. Makaari Jones had 12 points and Kiserian Adams 11 points and 12 rebounds in the win.

The top scorers for the VI were Elain O'Neal with 15 points and Kiandre Clarke with 10.

Full VI Squad:  Jomoi Levons, K’Moi Walters, Renrick Massac Jr, Kiandre Clarke, J’Quann Alexander, D-Aundre Penn, Cory Flax Solomon, Donaldson Layne, Elian O’Niel and Nixon Hamilton

The VI team next faces the Bahamas this afternoon, Monday July 4, 2016 at 1:15pm. Persons can view the game via the live stream on the Caribbean Basketball Confederation’s Facebook page.

See previous article published July 3, 2016

VI to face Barbados in CBC U-16 C/ships opener

- VI team hoping to finish in top 3 of tournament

The [British] Virgin Islands 16-and-under national team took off for Guyana on Thursday June 30, 2016 to compete in the Caribbean Basketball Association U16 Championships from July 4 to July 10, 2016.

The team will play nine other teams from the region with hopes of finishing in the top three, said the team’s coach, Jason A. Edwin.

The significance of finishing in the top three of the tournament is that the VI boys would earn berths to the Centro Basket U17 Championship, where they would ultimately compete to go up to the FIBA Americas U18 Cup.

But even though the squad is looking to bring home a victory, Edwin said even more important is developing the players to build the national men’s programme.

“We take this very serious, because in a few years the under 16 players are going to be filtering into the men’s team,” he said. “Getting exposure at this age only helps.”

Edwin added that the tournament will also teach the 12 players what it’s like to represent the VI on an international stage.

“We want to instil the values of national pride and get them acclimated to what it means to represent your country and be an ambassador.”

Teams arriving

Some of the teams that will compete in the Caribbean Basketball Confederation (CBC) Under-16 Championships that will be held at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall in Guyana have began to arrive in Guyana to seek Caribbean honours.

The top three teams in both male and female championships will qualify for the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) U-17 World Championships. Guyana is in Group B with Aruba, Jamaica, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago.

Guyana will play Aruba in the featured game tomorrow night after an opening ceremony that is scheduled for 7:45pm. Group A features Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, The [British] Virgin Islands (BVI) and Dominica.

The tournament tomorrow bounces off at 1pm with Bahamas taking on Antigua and Barbuda in a Group A showdown, while Barbados play the VI in the second game and Jamaica take on Suriname in the third game before the Opening Ceremony and Guyana game.

Jamaica and Suriname arrived in Guyana yesterday, July 2, 2016 while all the other teams are expected in the country today.

The VI team’s first game is against Barbados tomorrow at 3:15 pm.