The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

LAST year’s runners-up Bommer G Lady Angels say they are coming back for some “unfinished business,” but the Three J’s Lady Cheetahs are reminding them that they are the two-time defending champions of the New Providence Women’s Basketball Association.

The two teams are scheduled to clash at 8:30pm in a rematch of last year’s final when the league opens its new season at the DW Davis Gymnasium on Saturday.

The game will be the last of a triple header. The opener will be between the College of the Bahamas Lady Caribs against the Saints at 6:30pm. That will be followed by the Cybots Queens versus last year’s runners-up Johnson Lady Truckers at 7:30pm.

“We’re the champions. We’re the two-time defending champions. Until they can beat us, they are just the next best thing behind us,” Bowleg stated.

Bowleg said with the addition to their roster during the off-season, they will definitely be a force to reckon with again this year.

“In my opinion, we may have lost one or two players, but we have gained greater strength,” he said. “In other words, when I look at the core of our team, we may have lost point guard Latoya Thompson due to a slight injury, but we picked up Felicia Kelly, Deandra Williams from COB, Tishka Silvera from COB, Latoya Silvera, who just returned from college with Felicia, so we’ve gotten even better.”

The Lady Cheetahs will also have the returned services of Linda Pierre, Anastacia Moultrie, Pamela Bethel and Alyse Dean. Additionally, they acquired Kizzy McDonald from the Lady Angels, whom Bowleg is confident will provide some spark off the bench.

Anthony Swaby, back as the coach for the Lady Angels, say they have some new faces that they hope will add to the strength of their team.

“How we will look on opening night, I’m not sure for the simple reason that we are just recently seriously started practicing,” he said. “But at the end of the day, even though we are not the defending champions, everybody is coming to the league with one thing in mind and that is beating the Angels.

“I guess we’re something like the Lakers. People could lose to everyone, but their only thing is that as long as they beat the Lakers, they are feeling good.

“Teams don’t feel good unless they beat the Angels.”

With the team they have assembled this year, Swaby said he has no doubt that the Lady Angels will be out to regain their title.

“Our motto is unfinished business,” he said. “I think last year not winning was a let down, so I think the team, especially the seniors, will be refocused. Our goal is to regain the championship title.”

While McDonald has moved on and Keisha Richardson is still undecided about whether or not she will play this year, Swaby said they still have D’Asti Delancy, Sharell Cash, Suzette McKenzie, LaShonda Rahming, Ashley Moss, Alberta and Kaylicia Laing.

The league, headed by president Simone Beneby, is made up of six teams, all of which will be in action on opening night.

This year, the league intends to resurrect its website that will precipitate interaction, post-scores, statistics and generally get the word out.

The league will also introduce “The Basketball Woman” newsletter, highlighting the ins and outs of the players, coaches, teams and sponsors.

Fans will also get a chance to purchase gift cards, which will entitle them to getting significant reduced rates on season tickets, special concessions, prizes and gifts which will be available from time to time.