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.