The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

MARIO Bowleg and his CC Sweeting Cobras joined an elite field of champions after winning the prestigious Hugh Campbell Basketball Classic title for the third time.

While they added the titles won back-to-back in 2012 and 2013, they now have four crowns to their ledger after Ian ‘Wire’ Pinder coached the Cobras to their first title in 2007 with Cruz Simon being named the most valuable player.

Their victories have CC Sweeting tied for fifth place on the list of teams that have won the title in the 33-year history of the tournament, joining the former Hawksbill High Hawks out of Grand Bahama, who won their first title in 1984 under the late Errol Bodie before coach James ‘Jimmy’ Clarke guided them to a three-peat 1992-1994.

With the loss, CI Gibson and coach Kevin ‘KJ’ Johnson remain tied for second place with the Catholic High Crusaders with five victories apiece.

The Rattlers won its first title in 2002 behind MVP Christopher ‘Chicken’ Turnquest before they got a three-peat as well from 2004-2006. Their final win was in 2014.

The Crusaders, on the other hand, won the first title in 1983 under coach Gladstone ‘Moon’ McPhee when the Grand Bahama schools competed for the first time.

McPhee and the Crusaders would win again in 1991 before Charlie ‘Softly’ Rubins took over and guided Catholic High to victories in 1999 and 2002.

Still leading the pack is the Tabernacle Falcons with a total of six. For the record, coach Norris Bain won consecutively in 1995 and 1996 and again in 1998 and 2000 before pulling off another repeat feat in 2009 and 2010.

Tabernacle, by the way, was the last Grand Bahama school to clinch the title.

The other tournament winners were LW Young, coached by Watler Rand and led by MVP Bernard Storr, as the initial champions in 1992, Sir Jack Hawyard Wildcats, coached by Ivan Butler in 2001, RM Bailey Pacers, coached by Nigel Ingraham, in 2011, Eight Mile Rock Bluejays, coached by Gary McIntosh in 1985 and 1990, CR Walker Knights, coached by Jimmy Clarke in 1997 and Trevor Grant in 2008 and the host AF Adderley Fighting Tigers, coached by Doug Collins, back-to-back in 1987 and 1988 before they became a junior high school, but continue to host the invitational tournament as their major fundraiser.

This year, all of the schools from Grand Bahama opted not to compete. That, however, didn’t diminish the level of competition from the 28 schools participating in the week-long competition.

This year, the Asue Foundation of the Asue Draw joined in the sponsorship of the tournament and in particular, the individual awards that were presented to the various winners.

“The Asue Foundation’s involvement as a sponsor in the Hugh Campbell Basketball Classics is an opportunity to partake in a sporting event that shapes men,” said DeShon Kemp, chairperson of the Asue Foundation and a former player in the classic.

“Despite the different matters of concern about our young men in our communities, we believe that these young men in this tournament are the opposite and perfect example of disciplining themselves, to achieve greatness through basketball.

“The Asue Foundation believes in building a better community. It is our mandate to participate in various community wellness that connects with our country’s well-being.”

Kemp noted that the Asue Foundation is a community organisation that was established by the directors of Asue Draw plus Spin, in an effort to support community initiatives where possible, as a business entity that gives back to our communities.

• While Michael Bethel was named the MVP, the other individual winners were:

Average points scored - Brendon Rolle, South Andros, an average of 24.5 per game

Most rebounds - Andrerias Black, Central Eleuthera, an average of 14 pg

Free throw percentage - Johnsthon Johnson, North Eleuthera, an average of 82 percent

Total match points - Shakwon Lewis, CI Gibson, 108 points scored

Total rebounds - Richard Kemp, RM Bailey, 73 pulled down

Total assists - Shakwon Lewis, CI Gibson, 44 dished out

Total blocks - Adam Johnson, CV Bethel, 23 shots erased

Total free throws made - Bertram Minns, Teleos Christian, 37 completed

Total steals - Shakwon Lewis, CI Gibson, 34 balls stripped

Total two points made - Shakwon Lewis, CI Gibson, 36 field goals made

Total turnovers - Latrel Hinsey, RM Bailey, 38 balls given away

Total three points made- Johnley Noel, CI Gibson, 15 from behind the arch

Total personal fouls - Richgard Kemp, RM Bailey, 23 fouls used up

Index of success, Shakwon Lewis, 149 accuracy in his shooting