The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Chief Sports Editor

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

THE New Providence Basketball Association, under new management, will kick off its 23026/27 season on Saturday night at the AF Adderley Gymnasium.

And according to newly-elected president Mario Pickstock, there will be some key player movement among the 11 teams entered in division one, and six in division II.

The season opener will feature the defending champions Commonwealth Bank Giants against runners-up, Heat Wave, in the division II match-up at 7.30pm, followed by the division one nightcap between the defending champions Caribbean Moonshine Rockets and runners-up, Commonwealth Bank Giants, at 9pm.

"This year, we can look for an exciting season," said Pickstock. "This year, we have a lot of shifts going on amongst teams.

"We also have a lot of national team players who are home and want to play on different teams, so that is going to make the league a very exciting one. I think division two is going to be just as exciting because we have players stacked on all of the teams, so it's going be very intense."

Along with the Giants and the Heat Waves, the other teams entered in division II are the Eagles Nest, Jems Travel Alliance, Rebels and Jays High Flyers.

The Rockets and Giants will be joined by the Titans, Bamboo Shack Elites, Millionaires, ShipX Crashers, Tucker Boys, Western Air, Eagles Nest, Great Whites and TMT Giants in division one.

Abel Joseph, who led the Rockets to the title last year, is back to lead the defending champions and he will be joined by national team player Kadeem Coleby, while the Giants will see the return of Michael 'Fernly' Bain, with the addition of Garvin Clarke Jr, another national team player.

"We have some teams who dropped out from last year and those players have been added to some of the teams in the league, so it's going to add to the excitement," Pickstock said.

In addition to all of the excitement from the teams, Pickstcok assured the fans that his new administration will be out to raise the level of the atmosphere around the gym.

"The fans can expect a more family-oriented atmosphere," Pickstock said. "We will have a fully stocked concession stand every night we play on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.

"During our games on the weekend, we will have a lot of promotions going on. We will make the New Providence Basketball Association the mecca for basketball on the island."

Having served last year as the first vice president under ousted president Ricardo Smith, Pickstock said he have a team that includes Jeremy Hutchinson as first vice president; Georgio Walkes as second vice president; Julian Coelbrooke as third vice president; Wendell Dean as fourth vice president; Jenell Capron as treasurer; Dwayne McGregor as Commissioner Mikhilo Strachan as assistant commissioner and Camaulis Coakley as Public Relations Officer. 

"It's exciting. Even though I was first vice, I knew what was going on," said Pickstock. "Now that I'm in the driver's seat, I feel good, especially with the team of executives that I have to work with.

"I'm very confident that we will make this work. So don't just look at the basketball games being played, but look at the executive team I have assembled. We will make everybody feel at home."

Opening night will be a $5 entry fee and there will be free dancing, live music and good games, according to Pickstock.