With just two games remaining in the 5th Annual BTC 'Summer of Thunder' Classic, tournament organizer Sean Bastian is already looking to branch out, wanting to take the tournament into the Family Islands.
Even though local based teams were able to win a few games this year, Bastian said it is time for the collegiate squads to play against some of the other talent in the country. He noted that fatigue was a factor in a number of the games that the local based teams played in, stating that "our teams are not in the best of shape right now". However, he thanked all the local squads for competing, which made the annual event a major success. The classic, staged by the Bahamas Basketball Federation (BBF), is being held at the Kendal G.L. Isaacs National Gymnasium.
"This is by far the most successful Summer of Thunder," said Bastian. "The local teams were successful in winning three games. The Commonwealth Bank Giants and the Cybots, they were all successful in their games. The wins were pretty impressive and it shows that the local teams can run with the collegiate squads.
"The only problem we have is our local teams cannot play back-to-back games, whereas the collegiate teams they play today and can come back and play tomorrow with that same level of intensity. We need to get our players to that level. One suggestion that we are thinking about following up on is hosting the tournament in either Grand Bahama or Abaco next year - just a couple games played on a different island. It is more like branching out and everyone can benefit. The teams in New Providence can get a rest while the collegiate teams can see the rest of The Bahamas.".
The final two games on the month-long schedule will put the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay Phoenix up against the MailBoat Cybots and The Real Deal Shockers. They played the Bahamas All-stars last night, but the result of that game was unavailable up to press time. The Phoenix is the last of 12 college teams that will take to the hardwood here in The Bahamas this summer. Some of the other teams that participated in the tournament were Manhattan University, the University of Mississippi, Maryland University, South Carolina State, Canisius College, Bradley University, Kent State University and the Mickey's All Stars.
In other basketball news, the Centrobasket Championships for Under-17 Women will tip off on August 28, in San Salvador, El Salvador. The official team which will represent The Bahamas was named on Friday. The team members are Serena Brown, Shalonda Neely, Isis Wilson, Alisha Thompson, Antenique Young, Valerie Nesbitt, Tahjnee Thurston, Savanna Symonette, Lilnique Murphy, Kyla Higgs, Lashae Rolle, Annya Moss and Faith Curry. Varel Clarke-Davis is the head coach of the team. She will be assisted by Charlene Smith, Devon Johnson and Stuarvette Cleare.
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