By Travis Seymour
The recent Challenge Series and Skills Competition organized by Youth Basketball Guyana (YBG) has proven to be a valuable test for teams gearing up for the upcoming regional schools’ basketball championship.
Chris Bowman, Director of YBG, expressed satisfaction with the event’s success in preparing participating teams.
The tournament, held at the National Gymnasium over the weekend, marked the commencement of YBG’s activities for the year.
Bowman explained that the pre-season event aimed to facilitate schools and players in getting up to speed ahead of the regional tournaments.
With games lasting for ten minutes, split into two halves of five minutes each and no substitutions allowed, the competition provided a rigorous challenge for the participating teams.
Despite the intensity, schools were encouraged to field as many teams as possible to ensure players received adequate court time.
A total of 50 teams from 22 schools across regions 3, 4, 6, 7, and 10 participated in this year’s event, offering a comprehensive assessment opportunity for teams aspiring to compete in YBG’s suite of competitions.
Kwakwani Secondary School emerged as a dominant force in multiple categories, securing victories in the boys’ under 21, 14, and 18 divisions, as well as the girls’ categories.
However, Mackenzie High prevented a clean sweep by defeating Kwakwani in the under 16 division.
In the skills challenge segment, Stephon George showcased his sharpshooting prowess as the top 3-point shooter, while Tavishti Persaud excelled as the best free throw shooter.
Simeon Sinclair emerged victorious in the combined skills contest.
With the schools’ championships scheduled to commence on March 15th, teams are gearing up for intense competition in pursuit of victory.
YBG’s efforts are supported by sponsors such as G-boat Guyana, Edward B Beharry, and the National Sport Commission, enabling the organization to continue fostering the growth and development of basketball talent in Guyana.