The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

THE Bommer G Operators ended a three-year drought, sweeping the defending champions Johnson Lady Truckers to complete the first perfect season in the New Providence Women’s Basketball Association.

In the clincher last night, the Operators blew out the Truckers 81-61 to finish the season at 21-0 as they began celebrating their fifth championship title at the DW Davis Gymnasium.

“This was a dream come true. At the beginning of the season, coach Anthony Swaby said to me that this is a real championship team, so I felt we were going to go undefeated all the way this year,” said sponsor Bommer George, who brought out the champagne for the players and the fans to enjoy.

The Operators, with their solid complement of front and backcourt players, were just a little too much for the Truckers to handle.

Phylicia Kelly, the newest addition to the team this year, carted off the most valuable player. She led their attack, scoring 20 points with nine rebounds in the decider.

Britenique Harrison, back from playing overseas, had 11 points and 12 rebounds, while the guard combo of Diasti Delancy and Sasha Ferguson had 10 apiece. Delancy finished with a double-double with 10 rebounds.

“This one feels good,” said Donnie Culmer, who took over from Swaby as the head coach. “This is the best group of girls in the four years I’ve been in here, I ever worked with. They came out and they worked from the first day of practice. I could work with them any day.”

Swaby said it couldn’t get any better than it was.

“It was a great season. To go 21-0 is great. The girls came out and worked hard. We came out to practice, but it was not always the best turnout, but when they came, we worked hard,” coach Swaby said.

“My hats off to coach Culmer for taking over. It’s just a great group of kids. Next year it’s going to be a rebuilding stage because we will be losing a couple of players. But that’s what this club is all about.”

The Operators opened a 16-12 lead at the end of the first half and increased it to 35-31 at the half. By the end of the third, they were well ahead (55-42) and they continued to apply the pressure in the fourth quarter to build on their lead.

The Truckers, coached by Penial Bain, got 16 points from Shantelle Rolle, 10 points and 10 rebounds from Latoya Rolle and seven points and 12 rebounds from Melinda Bastian in a losing effort.

Culmer has gone on record to say that the Operators will be back next year to duplicate the feat.