The much anticipated BVI Basketball Federation’s Summer League will get underway at the Multi Purpose Sports Complex on Saturday May 18, 2013. Photo: VINO/File

Whilst staying shy of giving names the BVI Basketball Federation President, Mr Byron Hodge, has baited the Basketball fans in the Territory in stating that all the “big names from abroad” will be back to play in the league “but who they will be playing for will surprise people."Photo: VINO/File

Action in the BVI Basketball Federation’s Summer League 2012. Photo: VINO/File

Whilst staying shy of giving names the BVI Basketball Federation President, Mr Byron Hodge, has baited the Basketball fans in the Territory in stating that all the “big names from abroad” will be back to play in the league “but who they will be playing for will surprise people."

Looking through the rosters, Hodge noted “who they played for don’t have them now. It looks like teams have been shopping and the players want to see what they can do in bringing teams up to a higher level and of course, everybody wants to beat the Legs!”

The Opening ceremony is at 6.30 P.M. and will be followed by a female exhibition game. That game will be followed by Young Starz against And One, before the 2012 defending Champions Legs face the Kings to round out the opening day.

On Sunday, action continues unabated from 5 P.M. with And One playing Fearless, Heats against the Rebels and East facing Game Boys.

Falling short of many people’s hopes that games would be played back in the villages and not just at one central location, Mr. Hodge applauded the efforts of the Recreation Trust in getting the Greenland’s Court up to a high standard and commented that all the courts should be in the same condition. “I was very impressed with the surface of the court and I’m hoping the Recreation Trust can get the rest of the courts around the Territory to the same standard.”

However, Hodge did note that because of the amount of matches scheduled to be played in the Summer League and of course because of the other events that take place in the sports complex, that matches would be played on the newly reconditioned gym in Belle Vue and the Save the Seed Energy Centre in Duffs Bottom.

“There will be games every day of the week except Thursday,” stated Hodge.

In an attempt to draw some crowds back to the game, one of the sponsors, Lime, will be doing “give-aways”, and the concession stand will be open and not only equipped with refreshments but also cable TV so fans can watch the NBA Championships during the games.

There will be a featured game every week that will be covered by television and replayed during the following week and fans will be able to follow regular updates on the Federation's Facebook page.

There will be no teams representing Virgin Gorda this time around, but Hodge quickly dispelled any rumours of a rift between the Summer League and Virgin Gorda’s Summer Jam. “In speaking with Trevor “West” Stephens he said he was having difficulty in getting a team as most of the VG players are already playing for other teams and it certainly wasn’t an intentional move or that the Federation had denied them entry.”

With the so far undisclosed new rosters, fans will have to come out and see who is playing for whom but as Hodge concluded, “There will be some surprises this year so come out and watch.”