The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

THE Sunland Baptist Academy Stingers spent the holiday season participating in the 26th Annual Daytona Beach Sunshine Classic and are now ready to make a run at successfully defending their senior boys basketball title in Grand Bahama.

The Stingers finished the tournament at 2-2 and lost to eventual champions Atlantic High out of New Jersey. “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. “Thanks to all the parents, fans and supporters that contributed towards making this trip such a huge success.”

Sunland began the tourney when they defeated Winter Haven High 41-23. Kaleel Solomon led Sunland with 12 points and three assists while Tyler Davis added 10 points to go along with 11 rebounds. Brandon Meadows also finished with eight points and three rebounds.

In game two, Sunland lost to Atlantic 58-70. Solomon led all scorers with 18 points while Davis chipped in with 13 points and 10 rebounds. Meadows also had 12 points and four assists.

In game three the Stingers defeated Fleming County High 80-41. Again it was Solomon leading the way with a tournament high 26 points. Brandon Burton provided a spark off the bench with 16 points while Meadows and Romero Cornish contributed with 13 points and 10 points respectively. Their run would come to an end in game four when they lost to South Doyle High School on a buzzer beater as time expired, 69-67. Romero Cornish led the scoring attack with 18 points and Meadows finished with 16 points. Davis and Solomon contributed 12 points each.

Philippe led the Stingers senior boys to a victory in the Obie Wilchcombe/Derek ‘Bookie’ Nesbitt Basketball league championship after an impressive undefeated regular season. It was the first time that the school has won the senior league championship.

He said he expects his team to contend once again with four returning starters following the loss of senior centre Andrew Roker who received a full scholarship to Walters State College in Tennessee. He also expects that winning to continue at the national level when they participate in the 2016 Hugh Campbell tournament after opting out in 2015.

“As of now we entered to come so we will prepare for it,” he said. “Right now winning in Grand Bahama is our focus. We have been working hard, we have been dedicated and we want to win. It will take hard work and guys understanding how we play and how we play together. It’s Grand Bahama, the teams are always really good and we respect our opponent, but we also expect to win.”