U16 Basketball Team Competes In Grand Cayman
Bermuda’s U16 Men’s Basketball Team just concluded participating in the first annual Battle by the Beach in Grand Cayman.
A spokesperson said, “Cayman was blessed not to suffer any significant damage from Hurricane Beryl but other teams weren’t as fortunate. Team Port Arthur from Texas, USA and teams from BVI and USVI cancelled due to the effects of Hurricane Beryl leaving only Team Tallahassee and Team Bermuda as the only overseas teams participating. The remaining teams were forced to play a revamped schedule in this U17 tournament. The decision to select an U16 team to compete against older competition was to expedite their development while providing an opportunity to experience what it takes going against players more experienced and mature physically.
“For seven players this was their first international competition but the boys never backed down and showed their resilience. We failed to maintain consistency and focus at times. In our second game Team Bermuda blew a 20 point halftime lead against eventual champions Team Cayman. We also didn’t match the intensity of a physically imposing Team Talahassee, Florida, Said by Coach Simons.
“The players are learning what it takes to compete on the international level against teams who compete and play to their strengths. The teams we were playing against have access to daily training and facilities. Our hope is to replicate that by finding a permanent facility to call home. The only alternative is to get our athletes into boarding schools in the US and Canada in order to have that same opportunity for development.
“We currently have five players who will be returning or attending boarding schools this fall. The BBA has recently formed partnerships with Bermuda Youth Basketball [BYB] and Global Education Sports Partnership [GESP] in order to develop and showcase our talent on island while providing an avenue that players can aspire to play basketball at a higher level. Our goal is to continue to grow this beautiful game.
Tournament results:
- Bda vs Tallahassee 45- 75
- Bda vs Cayman 55 – 63
- Tallahassee vs Bda 80 – 64
- Cayman vs Bda 64 – 57
“Team Cayman are the 2024 Battle by Beach Tournament Champions.”
