Immediately upon the heels of a competitively successful Hoytes Geneva Rutherford Girls Classic, Coordinator Coach Gladstone 'Moon' McPhee began focusing on the 2014 event.
McPhee has expressed the intention to invite all of the participants of the tournament that concluded on Sunday, February 24, back for 2014. "I want them all back and I would want the four best female teams from New Providence to be on hand for the event next year. I was very impressed with the teams and their coaches. I was happy to be instrumental in the emergence of some really talented young ladies," said McPhee.
In truth, the Hoytes stage enabled onlookers to bear witness to true basketball quality. I was particularly impressed with the Harbour Island junior girls. The team was sparked by the very gifted Aliayah Johnson, Kayla Higgs and Breontae Bullard.
Harbour Island played a brand of basketball seldom seen in any part of The Bahamas. They trapped tenaciously, never letting up. The results were forced turnovers on the part of the opponents, all of them, as the islanders cruised to the junior crown. At no time along the way were they challenged seriously. In the championship game, the Tabernacle Falcons tried to make a game of it, but the superior collective talent of Harbour Island was too much.
Tabernacle indeed was fortunate that the score was no more than 35-22. While the Falcons played courageously, the talent difference was evident.
Johnson, already has skill sets well beyond her age. Time and time again, her play reminded spectators of what is seen at college level in the United States and also in the NBA. Johnson is poetry in motion going to the basket to score. She is a master at using her body to ensure that the ball is protected and executing the "lean" on opposing defenders as she elevates to score.
In a group of stars, I termed the "Magnificent Seven", Johnson shone brightest. To play at a level above Higgs and Bullard is indeed a huge indication of her basketball savvy. Johnson was the junior MVP of the tournament.
Then, there was senior Angel Miller of the championship C.V. Bethel Stingrays, along with teammates Shavonne Adderley and Valerie Nesbitt, also of the Stingrays; Shaland Neeley, Tanya and Timia Davis of the St. George's Jaguars; Briana LaFrance-Major and Jessica Joseph of the junior team Freedom Baptist Academy; Phillipa Greene of St. George's junior team; Destiny Middleton, Tiara Brown and Myha Greene of the Tabernacle Falcons juniors; Arnel Ferguson and Twana Cartwright of Jack Hayward seniors; Laqvina Nesbitt of S.C.Bootle seniors; Akala Nesbitte of the Bishop Michael Eldon juniors; Satori Curry and Jasmine Rolle of the Eight Mile Rock juniors; and Antermique Young, Rosanna Parker and Chanela Lightbourne of the S.C. Bootle seniors.They all were named to the All-Tournament squads. All in their own way were representative of the female basketball talent depth in the country.
The Freedom Baptist Academy girls were particularly endearing to me. They were just five deep with two of them just ages 9 and 8 (sisters Alisha and Ashanti Duncombe). LaFrance- Major and Joseph led the way, but the fighting spirit of the team made them the darlings of the tournament. Keonne McCulsky was the other member of the team, coached by Tabitha Major.
It is no small wonder that McPhee is excited. Most of the young ladies are expected to be back for Hoytes Classic 2014. According to McPhee, the event is now going to be marketed in a way that would clearly indicate the importance of participating and building a very special competitive forum for female basketball.
'The Coach', as McPhee is fondly referred, says it is his "dream for the Hoytes Classic to be for female basketball just what the Hugh Campbell Tournament is for male basketball." Well, based on personal observation, the competition was exciting.
McPhee and his marketing team now have to rise to the occasion in promoting the event throughout the country.
Even in Grand Bahama, while waiting at the airport for a return flight to New Providence, I discovered that generally not a lot of people knew of the event.
McPhee is on a good wicket but the Geneva Rutherford Girls Basketball Classic certainly needs to be better promoted.
o To respond to this column, kindly contact Fred Sturrup at sturrup1504@gmail.com.

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