ARAWAK BRAVES TAKES BREAK AFTER VERY LONG SEASON

And now, the end is here, and so we take a well deserved break. This is what most of the members of the team will be singing at this time after this long BABA division 3 season.  It was the best season the Braves had for a long time but i must add that i was disappointed about the result. During the off season we were able to acquire some new members all of whom contributed either to the basketball team or to the development of the Club or both. 

The preparation started from November 2007 and every Wednesday from that time until the start of the season was designated Braves practice day.  The players attended in numbers and it was very noticeable that the younger players were always present.  Unlike past years the wall that existed between the younger and older players disappeared and the quality of play by the team benefited.  We also included a number of practice games where we were able to correct many of our team and game faults. This year we spent a lot more time focusing on bball issues and i thought a lot more basketball was played. The team and each player was able to see their stats for each game and their season total.  This will enable the coach to better plan his practice sessions and to zero in on the weak areas seen in the stats. Thanks to Robin Austin and Corey Graham. Unfortunately after the season started the interest in practice sessions declined and with it the standard of play of the players who absent themselves from these sessions.

I can not forget to mention the performance of Damian Bovell this year. It was an herculean effort.  See the stats…19….games. scored 103 of 240 field goals. Scored 18 of 50 free throws. had 26 assist…..60 steals….10 block shots and scored 228 points. He attend practice 75% of the time and only missed two games because of illness (red eyes). It is going to be a difficult job when the MVP has to chosen. 

I was also very impress with the commitment shown by Andi Daniel. He lives in oistins and he attended all the official practices. He turned up to all meetings called attended and assisted at the fun day and was present at a few of the girls netball games. His basketball has improved quite a bit but i hope he understands he still have someway to go. 

Other people joining the club this year was Jason Jordan, Corey Graham and Roland Fields.  Jason is now settling in.  Corey due to work commitments was unable to attend more than three or four games but he always made time to assist me when i had website issues. and Roland Fields who I waited for three years to come and play for us did not quite live up to my expectations and he played way below his vast potential. He will say that he did not have a bad season and he would be correct but I would add that he operated at 65% of his potential. The difference between placing seventh and making the play offs. I want to make the playoffs I HOPE THAT HE WILL WANT TOO ALSO.

Most of the members due to personal, study and work commitments had some issues in committing fully to the season but I thought that great efforts were made and we had a chance to make the playoffs.  Adrian Brome at 35 seems not to be slowing down because i thought he had an enjoyable and relaxing season. The old man stats will compare well with the younger men. Andrew, Shane, Michael and Chadd contributed at various times and  Ron, Leacock, Karim, Orel and Demario needs to work more on their game.

I think that everyone deserves some rest. I hope that all will return healthy and rested with a renewed passion to do better in 2009 than we did in 2008. THANKS FOR THE EFFORT.

COACH HUTSON SAYS THANKS TO THE SUPPORT TEAM.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank not only my U21 team and division 3 teams for their support during the just concluded BABA season but to all the other team members who are very visible but are never seen.  I am speaking about our support team of scorers, statisticians, past members and members of the executive.

Robin Austin, Lia, and Jessica Mathew are the elves of Braves bball games. They take care of everything that is not bball related and allow the players to concentrate only on playing.  They look after the writing up of the score sheet, they collect the officials fees from the players and give it to the official, they assist players when they are injured and with other miscellaneous task, they keep the coach informed with the score, when required, player fouls, team fouls, who in their opinion is playing foolishness and needs teking off  and are the first persons to let the players know when everything is going according to plan. In between each quarter Robin informs the coach of the stats and assist the coach with its analysis.

Along with these are the past members who, although not able to play still make time to attend some of the games and offer their support. Andre and Jason Newsam are among those seen often.  then their are the girl friends and friends of the players. Sam Bovell Damion Bovell girl friend, Roland Fields girl friend, Ron girl friend, karim girl friend, Nyseesha a friend of Demario and the three American girls who live out by Ricardo who supported the u21 team at the games and at the beach.  Then there are the members of the executive who attends as often as they can and make themselves available to help in any area needed. Mr Wayne Babb and the newly appointed bball manager Derrek.

Without this support team bball games would be very stressful. This team provides the kind of relief that only a family can. I can say that if they didn’t attend games coaching would more difficult. Playing would become more difficult and less enjoyable. I believe this but i know that i will never get a chance to prove this because they will always be there. I expect that very soon the personal will be increased by…… two?  Keep your fingers crossed.

Thanks once again team.  You do a very important job. You do it very well and i hope we will be able to recommence or relationship in the 2009 BABA bball Season.                                                                                 THANK YOU AND MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.

TWO PAST BRAVES PLAYERS VISIT TEAM.

Who remembers Roger Evans and Danny?  Well both of them were back here on vacation recently. We hope that both enjoyed their vacations and hope they will return home safely. Nice seeing you guys hope to see you again next year.

COUGARS NO HELP SO BRAVES MUST STEP UP TO THE PLATE.

The best person to depend on is yourself. Arawak Braves in order to make the play-offs must defeat Grazettes nets at the BCC tonight. Can they step up to the plate and deliver?  Well tonight at 8.00pm they must. With Chadd Greaves unsure about attending and the exciting and very productive Damian Bovell out with the red eyes and the normal quitting of Andrew Gibbs at this time of the season will make that answer a wait and see answer.  What can be said for sure is that the players who turn up have to dig deep. Grazettes is the most experience team in this zone.  They have an abundance of both inside and outside shooters. They are a good all round team.  They were defeated by the Bouncer led Zahhir coached City Ballers at the Bay street courts, the only lost they suffered.  So Braves players put on your best game faces.  Its going to be a rough ride tonight.

BRAVES FATE IN COUGARS HANDS.

You never know what the future may hold and that saying is no more true than today. What does Hutson, Braves and Cougars have in common? We can say father, son and holy ghost but some may say that is blasphemous. Today at 6.30pm at clapham hard courts Cougars will play Patriots. The result of that game will be monitored closely by the Braves team.  If the Cougars win this match Braves will make the play-offs.  If Patriots win then the Braves will have to defeat Grazettes Nets on Friday night to get to play-offs. If Patriots win and Grazettes defeat the Braves then Patriots will take that last play-off position.  So Braves lets pray and then play.

BABA UNDER 21 UPDATE FOR MEMBERS.

The four teams that qualified for the play-offs of the Barbados Light & Power BABA under 21 competition were (1) Clapham Bulls.  (2) Lakers. (3) City United and (4) Senators. In the semi finals Senators upset the 2007 under 21 Champs Clapham bulls while Lakers took care of a very plucky City United ballers. Both games were very close and could have gone anyway.

In the finals the close game results continued  with the relentless lakers team sneaking past the Senators in the final minutes of the fourth quarter to win the Championship. It was a very enjoyable and successful under 21 tournament