USVI crowned CBC 2015 Champs; BVI finish fourth
The BVI, playing Antigua with not only a bronze medal at stake but also qualification to the Centrobaskets 2016 in Mexico, went into the first break 20-17 ahead mainly thanks to some hot long range shooting from Halstead ‘JR’ Chiverton, who splashed three 3s. However, by half time the wheels began to come off the BVI bus and the home team was down by four at 34-38.
Missed free throws, too many attempts from long range when better options were available, and some solid Antigua defense saw the four-point gap maintained at the end of the third. Despite a furious assault on the visitor’s basket, the BVI just couldn’t find the necessary momentum to get a run going and were unable to close the gap in the fourth as Antigua claimed the win, 82-73 and progression to the Centrobaskets for the first time in a decade.
The BVI were led by Chiverton’s 22 points, with Kilven Samuel netting 19. Norville ‘Banana’ Carey grabbed 8 rebounds and Kennedy H. Bass 7.
Antigua got 24 points from Ernest Scott and 23 from Raviel Burton.
Dramatic final
The final proved a dramatic game with the 7-time champions Bahamas constantly nipping at the USVI heels until late in the fourth.
The first period saw the 2014 bronze medalists USVI up by six points at 18-12, but by half time it was just a two-point game at 37-35. The Bahamas then grabbed the lead late in the third quarter to enter the last ten minutes up by three at 56-53.
The USVI regained the lead on a Khalid Hart two-point jumper and then opened up a six-point gap before the Bahamas, inspired by Kadeem Coleby, came back to within two. However, Angel Rivera and Cuthbert Victor made some crucial combinations at both ends of the court and saw the USVI home, 71-65.
Ivan Laska was named Tournament MVP, but on the night it was Hart’s 24-point effort that proved decisive.
Laska sunk 14 points and Craig Williams Junior 10.
For the Bahamas, Coleby finished with 15.
Inspirational comeback win for Suriname
In one of the biggest comebacks in CBC history, Suriname defeated St Vincent and The Grenadines 87-80 to capture 5th place. Suriname, which hasn’t had a team in the CBC games since 2004, outscored SVG 40-15 in the final quarter after coming back from an 18-point deficit.
Barbados beat Bermuda for 7th place
After giving up the lead in the fourth quarter, Barbados were able to use a late 13-0 run to hang on for a 78-73 win and claim 7th place. Barbados controlled the game early, jumping out to an 11-2 lead, finishing the first quarter ahead 21-18. Bermuda pulled to within one at 33-32 with 2:00 left in second period, but Barbados ended up leading at the half, 39-34.
In the third quarter, Bermuda pulled ahead briefly at 57-56 with 1:43 to play on a Yusef Riley free throw. John Jones, however, gave Barbados the lead back at 58-57 with a basket at the :12 mark.
The two teams exchanged the lead several times early in the fourth before Christopher Crumpler put Bermuda up 68-60 with back-to-back three-pointers with 7:06 to play in the game. Again, Barbados responded--this time, with a 13-0 run that was capped off by an Akeem Marsh putback dunk with 2:41 to play. Bermuda got back to within two at 75-73 on a bucket by Sullivan Phillips with :52.9 remaining but they would get no closer.
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8 Responses to “USVI crowned CBC 2015 Champs; BVI finish fourth”
If we have this guy here that can help make players like that why are we letting our young ones go with just anyone if he is available. Better players need better training is according to his own player he is one of the best. That's straight from the horses mouth.
Wake up comrades stop letting our locals fool you, we have a quality coach here let's use him to make us better.
I seen several kids that were not very talented at all explode past others their age in other programs.