THE INTERMEDIATE DIVISION WILL KNOW FINALIST TONIGHT

Tonight at the YMCA the Intermediate semi finals will continue with both games at the game three stage. 

Station Hill will play Grazettes Nets ( 1 – 1) and Spartans will play Market Hill ( 1 – 1).

I will not predict who the winners will be but i will assure you that both games will be very competitive.

However the Braves team wish the Spartans the best of luck in their game.

BRAVES LODGES PROTEST WITH B.A.B.A.

The Checker Hall Braves team are awaiting a decision from the basketball association of a protest they lodged about three weeks ago.

What was the protest about?   During a playoff game it was noticed that a player who had played a number of games in the premier division games was included.  A call was made by the Coach to Mr Garrett requesting that he investigate the number of games the player had played in that division.  He returned the call two days later confirming that the player did play in the premier division and that he had in fact played six games.   He then told me that the Club had applied for permission from the B.A.B.A and that it was granted.

The rule states that a player is allowed to play a maximum of three games in the upper division.  However on playing the fourth game he must remain in this division.  The other rule states that a player registered in an upper division cannot play in a lower division.  This player was registered in the premier division.

The above rule is the first commandment of basketball.  All the players know of this rule.  Yes every year someone breaks this rule and gets away with it.  This player has played eight of nine games in zone B of division three.  The members of the Braves believe that because of the above rule that the quarter series should be awarded to the Braves.

The Braves team then submitted a letter of protest to the B.A.B.A.  A meeting was called with both teams present.  A proposal was made to play the series over with the player who breached the rule absent.  The two teams opted to meet again with their teams and respond in two days.

The St Johns team accepted the proposal and the Braves rejected it.  A  B.A.B.A decision is now pending.

THE INTERMEDIATE PLAYOFFS POSITIONS

The final three spots have been determined in the intermediate division.  They are as follows;

1…..Station Hill. (12/1)       2…..Warriors  (10 /3 ).    3…..Patriots  (9 /4)   .  4…..Spartans  (8/5) +40 NP.   5…..Markethill   (8/5) -1 NP   and  6…..Grazettes Nets  (8/5) -14 NP .

That mean Station Hill and Warriors will draw byes.

Patriots will play Grazettes Nets and Spartans will play Markethill in the quarter finals.

It would be good if the team can watch some of these games.

B.A.B.A DIVISION 3 PLAYOFF MATCH UPS

Zone A

(1)  Royals.  (2)  Grazettes Nets.  (3)  Braves.  (4)  Belfield.

Zone B

(1)  Clapham Bulls. (2)  St Johns Sonics (3) Warriors  (4) Senators.

Match ups.

Royals  vs  Senators.

Clapham Bulls vs Belfield.

Checker hall Braves vs  St Johns sonics.

Grazettes Nets vs Warriors

As you can see it is going to be an entertaining series.

BRAVES TO FACE THE GOLIATHS FROM ST JOHNS.

Its official. The Checker Hall Braves will face the St Johns base Sonics in the division 3 playoffs.  This was decided last night after Royals defeated Station Hill by 3 points in the gym and Grazettes Nets defeated Cougars by 5 points. 

The young Braves will come up against a team that will give them their sternest basketball test yet. They must remember that last year in a practise game at Gall Hill they played against this team and handled their full court press quite well.  At that time we play with some members of our u21 team.  Lessons were learnt, Players have matured and one year of experience gained.  Now we meet officially for the first time, both teams seeking a finals birth.  Will this be a David and Goliath battle?

A St Johns Sonics player on hearing the news stated that the Zone A teams better be prepared to face the up tempo games of the zone B teams.  This is the general feeling of most observers.  They are  saying  that the standard of the zone A was very weak.  All predict that the four teams in finals will be zone B teams.

The end of the world has been predicted more than 1oo times and you are reading this now.  Braves, put on your game faces.  We have survived many of these predictions before.  Brush off  your uniforms, get your socks ,shoes ,ankle guards we have 2 games to play.  Remember David had no experience, no weapons and all the bets would have been on his opponent.  The same description could be applied to the young Braves lads.  I don’t have to say what the result was.  So St Johns Sonics are you prepared for David of the north who want to graduate to Intermediate?  

Lets start the war chant. Whoo whoo whoo whoo whoo St Johns Sonic we are ready for you . Come.

DIVISION 3′S ZONE B DECIDED

The final positions have been decided in zone B of division 3.  They are as follows.

(1) Clapham Bulls.  (2)  St Johns Sonics. (3) Warriors    (4) Senators. 

Later today the Zone a will be finalized as Royals will play Station Hill Cavaliers at the Gym and Grazettes Nets will play Cougars at Friendship at 8pm.  The result of these games will determine the first, second and third positions in this zone.

DIVISION 3 PLAYOFFS TO BEGIN NEXT WEEK.

The division 3 playoffs are due to begin on Tuesday the 24 th or Wednesday the 25 of August 2010. 

Up to this point the teams who have made the final four of each zone are known but their positions are yet to be finalized.  In zone A the teams are, Checker Hall Braves, Royals, Belfield and Grazettes Nets.  In zone B the teams are Clapham Bulls, Warriors, St John’s Sonics and Senators.  In zone B Clapham, Warriors and St Johns have all lost one game while Senators lost three.  In zone a Braves and Grazettes Nets have lost two games, Royals have so far lost one but have two games to play and Belfield have lost three.

All four teams in zone B are experience teams who finish in these position every year.  They contain many ex nationals and retired premier league players and will start as favourites to be the teams in the finals.

The teams in zone B, with the exception of the Royals team, are less experience.  They contain a number of players who only started playing about five years ago.  They are expected however to show up and be worthy opponents.

The playoffs will be fantastic in 2010.

KIRK PATRICK DEAD AT 28. MAY HE REST IN PIECE

The Checker Hall Braves basketball team joins the basketball fraternity in sending our deepest condolences to the family of Kirk Patrick who died on Friday 13th August 2010.  It is never easy when a young healthy person loses their life in such tragic circumstances.  We pray that the love of God will help you through this most difficult time.  He will be missed on the court.  May he rest in peace

CHECKER HALL BRAVES IN “ROYALS” WIN

Demario (left) and Darren (right) both had good games

 Last night at Belfield hard courts the Checker Hall Braves basketball team played a doctor jackle and Mr Hyde type game to defeat an unbeaten Royals team by thirteen points. 

This win ensured that the Braves ended their games in the second position of their zone.  Thus securing a playoff berth for the first time  in ten years.  Their seven win and two lost  (7 – 2 ) record was their best in their nineteen year existence and this follows a year of true commitment by all of  the players.  

The first quarter was a very low scoring affair as both teams showed signs of the long Crop Over  layoff.  Missed shots, off target passes, and numerous turnovers best described this quarter. The score at the end of this quarter was 7 to Braves 7 to Royals. 

There was a marked improvement in the second quarter as both teams settled down and ran their set offenses and defences.  The Royals started to use their experience and their three-point shooters to pressure and frustrate the younger and less experienced Braves players.  However the Braves players were up to the task.  They compacted the key  area and forced Royals to shoot from the perimeter.  With this ploy the Braves took control of their defensive boards and wore down the older Royals team with some quick fast breaks. Then the Coach introduced Damian  Leacock, Demario Prescod and Darren Small to the front court which improved the perimeter offence of the team.  The quarter ended with both teams on 21 points. 

Royals was quick out the blocks in the third quarter and despite some spirited play by the Braves took control of the game.  The Braves started to wilt under the pressure, the players went away from the game plan. The defence just went to sleep allowing Royals to get second and third shots. Royals was able to get an eight point lead midway in this quarter.  This is when things suddenly was reversed.  Directly after the entry of Kwamie, Andy and Jason the defence came alive and slowly started to apply great pressure on the surprised Royals offence. They went back to what worked for them in the second quarter and totally shut down the key area and was fast enough still to pressure Paul Grimes and the Ifill brothers three-point attempts.  Damian Leacock and Demario  Prescod made sure that Braves kept the pressure up by scoring the ball at the other end of the court.  Their players lack of condition started to be seen.  Braves slowly took control of the bball game. They ended this quarter with a three point lead.  Braves 35,  Royals 32. 

The fourth quarter was all Braves as the Royals turned the game into one of deliberate fouling.  They tried everything to intimidate the youngsters and when they realize it was not working shifted their attention to the officials.  What a pity.  Braves kept their focus and kept the pressure on. Royals only managed five points in this quarter. 

The final score Royals 37,  Checker Hall Braves 50. 

Well done Braves.  Prepare for a new experience.  Congratulations on making your first playoffs.

THE BABA UNDER 21 COMPETITON 2009 BEGINS

The now popular BABA U21 competition have started.  A total of ten teams will be taking part.  The teams are, last years Champions Lakers, DC United, Clapham Bulls, Station Hill Cavaliers, Senators, Warriors, Patriots , Checker Hall Braves and this year for the first time a non club team Holford Academy.  The format remain as it was last year with the teams playing a round robin and the top four teams playing in a playoff.

 Why Holford Academy?  Is a question I would love answered.  This competition designed for clubs taking part in the BABA competitions.  The concept was to encourage the clubs to recruit the young players rejected by the schoolboys and youngsters who started playing after they left school to have a chance to play among the elite in their age group.  That is why the players of the combine schools are playing playing for other clubs. 

I hope this  competition is as enjoyable as that of 2008 and that more teams benefit from it as it seems this could be its finale.

BRAVES U21 TEAM 2009

                      Braves Team  from left to right. Standing Hanif Charles, Jamal ScantleBury,  Capt Jamal Thompson and Shamar Linton.

                        Sitting Demario Prescod left and Cleo Hurley. Missing are Dario Griffith, Alair Beckles and Tevin

BRAVES NEXT TWO GAMES FIXTURED

                                                                                               SHAMAR

BRAVES  VS  BELFIELD…..TUES 18 AUGUST 2009…..AT  BELFIELD …..7.30PM.

BRAVES VS CLAPHAM BULLS…..SUN 30 AUGUST 2009 …..AT BCC……6.OOPM

DARIO GRIFFITH JOINS U21 TEAM.

Braves welcomes Dario Griffith to the team. He is 20 years and is from Maynards  St Peter.  Dario was a student of the Alexandra and the BCC.  He will be attending the UWI from September. He played for Alexandra bball team from 2004 to 2006, Baseliners from 2005 to 2007  and Patriots U21 team in 2008.  An Injury kept him from playing bball this year but he is fully recovered and looking forward to playing a role in this team.

Welcome Dario. I hope you enjoy your game.

BRAVES U21 TEAM ELECTS NEW CAPTAIN

                                                                                         JAMAL THOMPSON

 Jamal Thompson has been elected Captain of the Braves U21 youth team for 2009.

Although this is first elected post his position of point guard in the team gives him the experience that will help him at the helm.  He has been their court leader for the past two years and he is highly respected by the team.  With Cleo Hurley joining the team the pressure of being the only ball handler will allow him to get more involved in the team offense.

Congratulations and good luck ‘Mouse’.

WHO IS WHO IN BRAVES U21 TEAM 2009

This years team features a few new faces. From the May hill team we have Jamal Jack Scantlebury and Cleo Hurley. Back from the Cougars Club is Jamal Thompson,  The debutantes are Shamar Linton and Hanif ‘Soup’ Charles. The only player from the last team is Demario “dough” Prescod. Following is a short note on the individual players

#4    Shamar Linton…..17 years old.  From Cave Hill, St Lucy.  Student of the Seventh Day Adventist School. This is his first competition and Club experience.

#5   Cleo Hurley…..19 years old.  From Maynards, St Peter.  Played bball for St Lucy Secondary and currently plays for Mayhill intermediate team.

#7   Hanif Charles…..19 years old.  From Cave Hill, St Lucy.  Student of the BCC.  This is his first real competition and club experience.

#10   Demario Prescod.   17 years old.  From Checker Hall, St Lucy.  The only person playing bball who work.  Played for Ellerslie under 16 team and currently plays for Braves division 3 team.

#12   Jamal Thompson…..19 years old.  From Hothersal Turning, St Michael.  Also known as mouse or tractor he was well known in the he school league playing for the Alleyne School a few years ago. He also played for the Cougars division 3 team.  Mouse assisted The young Braves in 2008 and returns to finish what he started.

and #13   Jamal ‘ Jack’ Scantlebury…..19 years old.   From Maynards, St Peter.   Played for St Lucy Secondary School and is currently playing  for Mayhill intermediate team.

This is an opportunity for the players to develop their skills and learn more about the game and about themselves.  Friendships will be made and solidified.  They will also see what the other teams are doing and have the chance to match skills and abilities.

I would like to thank the players who have come to help us and i hope that they enjoy the experience and have lots of fun and return to their respective Clubs stronger and better players.

Thank you and  God bless.