The Virgin Islands basketball team that reached the final of the 2016 Leeward Islands Basketball Tournament. Photo: Provided

The Leeward Islands Basketball Tournament was held on December 13-17, 2016 in the Rodney McArthur Rey Auditorium, Anguilla. Photo: Provided

Having reached the final with a double overtime victory, 85-78, over host Anguilla, which was inspired by 37 points from Franklyn L. Penn Jr, the VI found themselves in early foul trouble in the final and were never able to match the scoring prowess of St Kitts, who went through the tournament unbeaten.

Penn also notched 12 rebounds in the semi final win, whilst Hakeem Penn scored 14 points and both Romain Minott and Shaquille T. Fonseca 10.

In the final, the VI were down 13-20 at the end of the first quarter, 38-24 at half time and entered the final quarter looking to claw back from a 15 point deficit, 61-46, but to no avail.

Hakeem Penn top scored with 11 points and 11 rebounds for the VI, whilst Kimani Stevens scored 10 points and 10 rebounds and Minott 9 points.

St Kitts got 20 points, 16 rebounds from Nashorn Maynard and 17 points with 20 rebounds from Nashen Maynard.

Franklyn L. Penn Jr finished the best Free Throw Shooter in the Tournament.

The squad also included Lyle W. Duggins and Tyler Cameron.

The journey to the final

The VI had beaten Barbuda, 66-56, to begin the tournament, led by 17 points from Penn and 19 from Minott. The next game was a 64-77 defeat, also to St Kitts, with 12 points from Penn and 9 each from Requan Fahie and Fonseca.

Montserrat, defending champions, finished 4^th after a 77-83 loss to Anguilla.