The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

THE Sunland Baptist Stingers’ quest for a national title and a third consecutive GBSSAA championship got off to a promising start this week with an impressive preseason.

The Stingers recently won the fourth annual Southwest Florida Secret Santa Invitational Tournament in Cape Coral, Florida.

The Stingers won the title after defeating the previously unbeaten East Lee County High School Jaguars, 72-65.

The Stingers were led by All-Tournament team selections Brandon Meadows and William Brown. Meadows tallied a game and tournament high of 26 points while Brown added 18 points. Ethan Munroe provided a spark off the bench with nine points, Joshua Cornish and Javares McIntosh chipped in with seven and six points respectively.

It marked the first time that Sunland has won a tournament internationally.

The Stingers advanced to the title game with an 82-52 win over the hosts, Oasis High School. It was a Brown who led the scoring with a career high 25 points. Meadows added 10 points while McIntosh chipped in with eight points.

In 2015, the Stingers also spent the holiday season participating internationally in the 26th Annual Daytona Beach Sunshine Classic setting the tone for a successful season.

Coaches Jay Philippe and Marco Cooper, both former students of Sunland Baptist School who received college basketball scholarships, have coached the team to successful seasons which includes the aforementioned league titles in Grand Bahama and a runner-up finish at the 2016 Hugh Campbell.

“I am overall proud of these guys for such a great display of teamwork, dedication, discipline and togetherness that was showcased this entire trip,” Stingers head coach Jay Philippe said following the tournament, “Thanks to all the parents, fans and supporters that contributed towards making this trip such a huge success.”

The Grand Bahama institution has garnered a reputation for securing scholarships for many of its student athletes and following last season’s triumphs they produced four players who went on to continue their careers collegiality.

Abaco natives Tyler Davis, Romero Cornish and Daniel Wright currently Eastern Wyoming College.

Kaleel Solomon attends Eastern Florida State College and was named High School Player of The Year in his senior season at Sunland.

Following the 2014 season, senior centre Andrew Roker received a full scholarship to Walters State College in Tennessee.