The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

SHE fell short in her debut playing overseas, but forward/centre Britinique Harrison returned home just in time to help the Bommer G Lady Operators complete the first perfect season as they regained the New Providence Women’s Basketball Association championship crown.

The 23-year-old Harrison, under contract with 610 Sports & Entertainment Management, played with Club Aleman in Roma, Bolivia, February 28 to April 5.

“It was a great experience, playing against people who have been playing longer than me at a higher level, so it was a good experience,” said the 6-foot, 4-inch Harrison. “I had a lot of exposure playing against girls who were my height, but stronger than me.

“The exposure was good for me. It took me to another level.”

During the course of the season, Harrison put up some impressive numbers, scoring in double digits as well as pulling down her share of rebounds as she helped Club Aleman to compile an 8-4 win-loss record for second place in their league.

After falling short in Bolivia, Harrison said it was good to get back home to make her contribution to the success of the Lady Operators.

“I think we did good to place second in Bolivia, so to come here and win was good,” said Harrison, who helped to enhance their front court that included Alberta Russell and Roberta Quant.

“My coaches Anthony Swaby and Donnie Culmer were waiting for me to come back and play with them, so it was good.

“I was missing for the first half when they started in November, but I played with them in January and all of February before I went to Bolivia. So it was good to come back and see the team go undefeated. It felt good. They were saying that they missed me for the month that I was gone, but they still played good without me.”

Now that the season is over, Harrison said she intends to continue to workout and will wait to hear from her agent on whether she will return in October or try to concentrate on getting a full time job here, having obtained her degree in accounting from Benedict College where she was named to the All-Conference team.

Harrison, according to Swaby, played a role as a member of their “big three” to perfection.

“She helped to direct traffic and keep everyone in place,” he said. “Because we run a system, she fitted right in. There was never any animosity with her fitting in. That’s one problem we never had. The senior ball players always seemed to welcome talent and I think they realised that with her being there, it made everybody’s job that much easier.”

When coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin assembles the women’s national team this summer to compete, Swaby said he’s confident that Harrison is going to make a big addition.