The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

THE second annual Caribbean Tip-Off Classic is all set for this weekend with a change in venue from the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium to Loyola Hall on Gladstone Road.

The Bahamas Basketball Federation’s marquee showcase for high school senior boys’ teams will bring an array of talent from around the world for the three days of competition.

Tournament director Steve Barnes said they anticipate having some of the future National Basketball Association players displaying their skills from Friday to Sunday.

“We’ve done a good job of getting everything done. We’re checking them off, making sure that we haven’t forgotten anything,” Barnes said.

“So I feel good about it, way better than I did a year ago going into it.”

Barnes said there are a number of players participating in the tournament who will eventually play high-level division one college basketball with the view of getting into the NBA.

“These are the guys who will end up playing in the Battle for Atlantis and in the Summer of Thunder,” he said. “Every team coming here is loaded with mid to high-level players.

“The thing that I love about it is that in our first count, we had about 22 different countries that will be represented on the various teams here. But the NBA has added some players, which will make it about 26-27 countries represented.”

Unlike last year, the BBF has selected an All-Star to represent New Providence that will be coached by Kevin ‘KJ’ Johnson and another from Grand Bahama, coached by Kevin Clarke.

The Bahamas will also be represented by a number of players who will participate in the visiting BC Christian Academy team from Canada.

The other teams coming in are Helsinki Basketball Academy, who are already in town, Northfield Mount Herman, Putnam Science, Hargrave Military, International Sports Academy, NBA Latin America, Ridley College, Rise Academy and Orangeville Prep.

“Everybody wants to come here and show what they have,” Barnes said. “The Bahamas will be equally represented. That was what we wanted from the Bahamas Basketball Federation’s point of view. We want them to show their abilities against these top-notch teams.”

Barnes said the federation is appreciative of Deacon Roberts for allowing them to host the tournament at Loyola Hall due to the fact that the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium is being used for the evacuees from Abaco and Grand Bahama who survived Hurricane Dorian.

He also thanked Breezes SuperClubs for accommodating them with the rooms for the players through their sponsorship of the showcase.

On each day, the spectators will get to watch six games starting from 9am. Tickets are priced at $10 for adults and $3 for children under the age of 17.