The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

The Street Legends Organisation continues its mission of providing opportunities for young Bahamians through the sport of basketball.

Nationally renowned for their summer league series, the Street Legends partnered with the Ministry of Education to host the “Private vs Government Schools Scholarship Quest.”

The three-day tournament tips off Friday, December 20, at the AF Adderley Gymnasium and concludes with championship night on December 22.

Fresh off the conclusion of the 29th Father Marcian Peters tournament, teams in the primary, junior and senior girl divisions will be joined by the senior boys.

Participating schools include those from the Government Secondary Schools Sporting Association, the Bahamas Association of Independent Secondary Schools and other private institutions.

Street Legends president Wilton Russell said the tournament is a new initiative because it is directly aimed at bringing exposure to players and creating an opportunity to be noticed by one of the several scouts from American universities who have confirmed their attendance.

“The motivation is trying to get as much scholarships for these athletes,” he said. “We have some really good basketball players in this country and everyone that has anything to do with the game knows all it takes is an opportunity and exposure for them to get to that next level. We know a lot of players, and I have had players in the Street Legends programme like this - great players but do not have the means to travel and play internationally. The mindset behind was, we figured if we can host an event to bring in scouts from schools to the Bahamas to see these players, we have given them that opportunity to perform in front of someone that can get them to the next level.”

In the senior boys’ division, players will be competing for a coveted prize as the most valuable player will be awarded a $12,000 scholarship.

“The scholarship came about through our partnership working with Geno Bullard and his Noble Preparatory Academy. Of course he also has his connections as the recruiter for Niagra College in Canada so he has facilitated what we think is an incredible opportunity for one young player to grab hold of,” Russell said. “We invited about 25 different colleges and we got five confirmations on who will be coming down, so it’s a very exciting time.”

With most players accustomed to taking time off during the holiday season, Russell said the tournament will give them an opportunity to stay sharp as they prepare to complete seasons in their respective leagues and also gain more repetition.

“We know one of the main problems is that there are not sufficient games that players over here get to play. The average team plays about 10-12 games per season and that’s if the weather holds up so they are completely short-handed when you compare it to the United States where they are expected to compete for spots against players who play 30-40 games a year,” he said. “The teams are overly excited. They like the idea of a scholarship quest and are eager to play. I’ve seen teams preparing right now as we speak, working, conditioning, practicing day and night. It’s another level of basketball, street legends basketball.” 

Primary school teams are scheduled to to tip off 10am Friday.

Claridge Primary is slated to face CW Sawyer, followed by Cleveland Eneas and Ridgeland Primary. Carlton E Francis and EP Roberts will also see action in the bracket.

Private schools in the primary boys’ division tip off at 12pm when St Cecilia is slated to take on Cherub Academy. Blairwood Academy will take on Hill Crest, Queen’s College will face Freedom Baptist and St Thomas More will also be in action.

The junior divisions will take to the court next at 3:30pm led by the GSSSA girls.

HO Nash will face TA Thompson and AF Adderley will face SC McPherson.

The private school junior boys would be next on the schedule at 5pm with St John’s College against Cherub Academy and Queen’s College awaiting the winners.

In the GSSSA junior boys’ division, CH Reeves will begin their bracket against TA Thompson and HO Nash will face LW Young. Doris Johnson and AF Adderley will await the winners.

In the senior boys’ division for private schools, Noble Preparatory will face Zion Baptist and Temple Christian will take on Cherub Academy.

Teams will continue to vie for positioning on Saturday and, on Sunday, teams will play championship games in their respective brackets and the “Cross Over” championship round between the winners from the GSSSA and private schools will begin at 9pm.

Russell said he hopes for the tournament to expand in the near future, particularly in the senior boys’ division and extended gratitude to the Ministry of Education along with the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture.