The Red Lion, considered one of the best teams in Delaware, defeated host school Gilbert Christian, 61-55.

It was Javier Martinez (USVI), who led the Lion’s with 25 points and 14 rebounds. Dion Edwin-Corion (VI) picked up 16, Norville Carey 9, Rasheed Swanston (USVI) 3 and Rae’Vaun Garraway (VI) 4.

The victory of holding the Christian Cup was not the only thing that the Red Lion walked away with. Two of their players, both Virgin Islanders, took top honours, with Carey being the MVP and Edwin made the All Tournament Team.

In an exclusive interview with Virgin Islands News Online last evening after the game, Carey said when they started off playing they were “just rushing” but in the second half; the players slowed down and began to play their “game and scoring”.

“We had to keep it together and keep playing basketball,” he added. Carey, the son of Sherry Hodge and Norville Clarke of Apple Bay, said he is looking forward to the bigger games next week and to get better as his team continue playing.

He thanked his supporters especially those in the Virgin Islands, and said he will keep working hard to make everyone proud.

Another of the local boys, Rae’Vaun Garraway also told this news agency that he is pleased that his team came out on top.

Asked about how he enjoys being on a US team with fellow Virgin Islanders, Garraway said, “Personally, I wouldn’t want to play with nobody else than these guys”.

Garraway, the son of Roy and Vanessa Garraway, said he too is looking forward to another tournament next week where they plan to play hard and hopefully win again.

Head Coach of the Red Lion, Tom Purse, told Virgin Islands News Online that it was a great game.

“It was a great way to start our season they come out here against 18 very good teams,” he said, noting that his team played well to come out on top.

Specifically speaking of the Virgin Islands’ boys, Coach Purse said they all played well and had a great tournament.

The Christian Cup is a basketball tournament in Arizona in the USA, comprising of eight teams. The basketball tournament features two reigning state champions, two runners-up and two final four participants, Gilbert Christian, Scottsdale Christian, Valley Christian and Northwest Christian are the local teams in the field, joined by Lake Mead Christian (Nev.), Faith Christian (Colo.), Horizon Christian (Ore.) and Red Lion Christian (Del.).

Scoring Summary: Red Lion CA 18 18 12 13 61

Gilbert Christian School (AZ) 15 17 12 11 55

RLCA - Martinez 11 3-3 25, Carey 3 2-2 9, Edwin 4 7-10 16, Swanston 1 1-2 3, Garraway 2 2-2 4, Tucker 0 1-2 1, Watson 0 0-0 0, Johnson 0 0-0 0, Gaston 0 0-0 0

Totals: 21 16-21 61

Gilbert - Reyes 3 2-2 9, Fougries 2 2-3 7, Jones 4 4-4 16, Bliss 4 0-0 12, Patterson 5 1-3 11

Totals: 17 9-12 55

3-Point Goals: Gilbert 10 (Jones 4, Bliss 4, Reyes, fougries

Red Lion 4 (Carey 2, Garraway, Edwin