The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Tribune Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

NOBLE Preparatory Academy continues its effort of fostering achievement both on and off the court and hosted its fourth annual “Spring Classic” basketball tournament.

The Temple Christian Suns emerged as the winners of the Varsity Boys division while the St John’s College Giants won both the Varsity Boys and Junior Varsity Girls division as the tournament concluded at the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium on Saturday.

The Suns took the title in thrilling fashion with a 56-54 win over the Jordan Prince William Falcons (A). The 12-team field also included the hosts Noble Prep Spartans, Achievers Christian, Akhepran International, Aquinas College Aces, CR Walker Knights, CW Saunders Cougars, Jordan Prince William (B), Queen’s College Comets, San Pedro International and St John’s.

The Suns’ path to the title began with a 48-28 win over CR Walker. In game two, they continued their season-long rivalry of close finishes with QC and won 46-43. They advanced to the final with a 22-18 win over St John’s.

The Falcons rebounded from an opening loss in the tournament, 45-44 at the hands of CR Walker. They won 58-23 over CW Saunders, 28-24 over Akhepran and 37-36 over Noble Prep. They won the rematch with CR Walker 27-16 and advanced to the final with a 31-26 win over St John’s.

The Varsity Girls field included the Giants, Falcons, Noble Prep and Akhepran. The Giants continued their dominant season, adding another title to their list this season which also includes the BAISS and National championships. They defeated the Falcons 20-16, followed with a 26-11 win over Akhepran and another win over the Falcons in the title game, 18-10.

The Junior Varsity Boys division also fielded four teams including the Giants, Noble Prep, CH Reeves Raptors and Akhepran.

The Giants lost their opening game of the tournament to the Raptors, 32-30, but scored wins over Noble Prep (27-17) and Akhepran (34-30) to advance to the final. They defeated the Raptors in the rematch 36-25.

When the tournament was established in 2016, Noble Prep Academy President Geno Bullard said the spring classic is intended to benefit the country’s youth through basketball, with an emphasis on mentoring and promoting educational success.

“We wanted to offer that same opportunity that our NPA students are getting. We transfer our students directly to college every year. These players play all year but we want this tournament to be different because at the end of this journey, we want to be able to say that someone earned the opportunity to go to college for their expense and their hard work they put into winning. You play hard, you push your team to victory and we are going to provide you with the opportunity to go to college, on us,” he said.

“We don’t just want them to walk away with a handshake and a trophy. The ultimate goal is to give them the opportunity at higher education.”

Noble Prep has been able to provide hundreds of thousands of dollars in scholarships and has transitioned nearly 200 students to Niagara College to obtain a college degree.

“Basketball is the backdrop, but it’s bigger than that and we want it to be more than just a tournament. We want to develop a true event that will enhance the players. We will have career counselling that is mandatory for every team. We want to sit down and discuss education.

“Once the season is done what do your grades look like? What are your plans for education at the next level? What’s on the agenda? Do you have any idea what you would like to study at this point? These are questions that need answers,” Bullard said. “We have very talented basketball players but throughout the year we never bring these questions to the forefront and we never check them. What are the kids going to do once we concluded basketball season and once they graduate in June? We want everyone, the players and schools to be aware that once you come to NPA you are going to get quality basketball and you are going to get educational opportunities to find guidance.”