With one team in a rebuilding stage and two others falling short of advancing to the next round, national team director Mario Bowleg gave the three squads that competed on the regional level a C grade.
Bowleg who also sits on the executive board as the first vice president in the Bahamas Basketball Federation (BBF) said the teams played as best they could, and represented the country at a high level. He noted that the two junior boys' team hit a wall in their tournaments and were unable to get over the hump.
"On the average, all of the teams were able to compete as we expected them to do so overall the entire program inclusive of the three teams will get a C grade," said Bowleg. "We were able to send three junior teams, both male teams and a female team, to three different competitions this year. This year is actually for juniors, so we sent our under 16 and 17 boys and the under 17 girls. Considering the level of competition that three competed in was very high.
"The under 16 boys, they played at the Tournament of Americas and the under 17 girls and boys [played] at the Centrobasket Championships. The competition at the Tournament of Americas is always high, and the boys' team is consistent in terms of advancing to this tournament. The under-17 didn't qualify but they did very well. It is rare that you see a team who ended the tournament 3-1 and not advance to the next round. That team finished fifth and I encouraged the coaches to continue to work the players because they can be invited to the next round if another team pulls out. So we want them to stay focused, and we've asked the coaches to stay in contact with all of the players."
The Bahamas placed seventh overall at the under 16 championships, which was played in Punta Del Este, Uruguay in June. The team finished the tournament with a 1-4 win/loss record. As for the under 17 boys, who competed at the Centrobasket and closed with a 3-1 record for fifth overall. Dominican Republic won the tournament, followed by Puerto Rico, Mexico and U.S. Virgin Islands.
The under 17 girls were eighth in their tournament, according to Bowleg that national program is in a rebuilding stage.
He said: "There is a new coaching staff, new program, so it is more of a rebuilding stage for this team. The change in faces on both the coaching and playing staff brings new life to the program. We know that they have the ability to do better and we will see the changes in the upcoming months. Next year is the senior's tour, so none of the junior team's will be playing but we would like for them to continue training."
The Bahamas will send teams to both the Caribbean Basketball Championships (CBC) and the Centrobasket Championships.

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