Defending champions Bayside Blazers of the Hon Julian Fraser Save the League. Photo: VINO/File

The future of the local referees is unclear, as Commissioner of the Hon Fraser League and President of the BVI Basketball Federation, Mr Derrick R. Varlack could not be reached for comments. Photo: Facebook

Pure Playaz is the first team to advance to the Championship in the 2019 season. Photo: VINO/File

In the lone Junior Division Game on Saturday, September 28, 2019, Wilful Skilful (in yellow & black uniform) dimmed Young Starz. Photo: VINO/File

Many local basketball officials condemned the local referees' boycott and believed that they were ‘out of order’ to interfere with the local league by-laws on the penalties associated with any incident.

The future of the local referees is unclear, as Commissioner of the Hon Fraser League and President of the BVI Basketball Federation, Mr Derrick R. Varlack could not be reached for comments.

Bayside lives to fight another day

Meanwhile, in the second playoff round between Bayside Blazers and Skillful Ballers with new overseas referees, it was a blowout. It was clear from the onset that the Bayside Blazers facing elimination came hungry to win.

With an almost full team including two big men; Eustance C. Freeman aka ‘Boss’ who returned to the team and Douron R. Phillip who was overseas for a while, Blazers showed what a championship team is made of.

They led Skillful Ballers coached by Ronald Simmonds aka ‘Gola’ in every quarter, at one point being up by almost 30 points. In the end, Bayside Blazers forced a final game tie up 1 all, in the best out of three. The final score was Bayside Blazers 105 and Skilful Ballers 79.

79 gone fishing in a clean sweep

In the second game between Pure Playaz and 79, it was a dog fight. 79 came out to play as their back was against the wall facing elimination in the best out of three after losing the first game last weekend.

While Pure Playaz had their game on, they suffered from internal disunity and at one point a near fight between two players almost erupted but was quickly put down by teammates. Their draft pick Ray D. Victor was also seen pushing Pure Playaz team owner and coach Sheldon N. Matthews.

While the score was close in the second and third quarters, it boiled down to talent and coaching skills. In the end, it was all Pure Playaz with a score of 91 to 79’s, 89.

Pure Playaz is the first team to advance to the Championship in the 2019 season and after tonight’s November 16, 2019 game between Bayside Blazers and Skillful Ballers it will be determined who they will face.

Shooting Stars injury

In the junior division, it was also highly competitive between Willful Skillful vs Shooting Stars in game one of the Championship.

One of Shooting Stars most talented player Kymal Panchoo suffered an injury. The team is managed and coached by veteran sports organizer Mr Milton C. McLean.

Panchoo's injury resulted in the game becoming less competitive and Willful Skillful running away with the game and a final score of 76 to Shooting Stars 72. 

Games of November 16, 2019

Games continue this evening Saturday, November 16, 2019, at 6:30 PM with Willful Skillful vs Shooting Stars and the big one at 8:00PM in the Senior Division where there is a ‘do or die’ for both teams in Bayside Blazers vs Skillful Ballers.

The Championship series will start on Sunday, November 17, 2019 in the best out of 3.