The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

WITH three days to go before they travel and just as the women’s tournament gets ready to wrap up, the Bahamas Basketball Federation has finalised the list of 14 players who will represent the men’s team at the Caribbean Basketball Confederation Championships next week in Tortola, British Virgin Islands.

The team, made up of a mixture of new and returning players from last year’s championship team, was named last night following a series of workout sessions at the Kendal Isaacs and AF Adderley Gymnasiums. The women’s tournament, currently underway in Tortola, is all set to wrap up on Friday.

Head coach Mario Bowleg, who will be assisted by Wayde Watson and American Steve Barnes, released the names of the players after waiting on some last minute decisions on some of the players who had to deal with some other personal obligations. The federation selected the team just in time for today’s deadline to have the names submitted to the tournament organisers.

At point guard are Tehran Cox and Shakwon Lewis, two former CI Gibson Rattlers standouts. They will be joined at the shooting guard position by Grand Bahamian Leon Cooper, Michael Bain and Able Joseph. The small forwards are Torrington Cox, Kenton Smith (both from Grand Bahama), Eugene Bain and Donathan Moss. Long Island’s Tavario Miller and Grand Bahamians Scott Farrington and David Nesbitt are the power forwards. The centres are Grand Bahamians Kadeem Coleby and Magnum Rolle.

“Our concern is in the guard area mainly because even though Leon, Michael and Tehran have been there before at the senior level, when you don’t have the two leading scorers from last year in Marvin Gray and CJ Hinds, who won’t be able to play this year because of other commitments, we have some big shoes to fill in the guard spots,” Bowleg said.

“They don’t necessarily have to score because you would hope that they can pick that up with the forwards and the centres. If everybody can play their role and pick up the slack, I think we will be okay. People might look st Shakwon as an undersized guard, but the boy has the heart of a champion and he plays like a Goliath. He’s quite capable of taking shots and putting the ball in the hole along with Leon, Tehran and Michael.”

Two members of the team indicated that they are looking forward to making the trip.

Former 22-year-old 6-8 St George’s forward Kenton Smith, back for his second sting, said they have what it takes to repeat as champions.

“Last year, we had a little more experience, but this year we have a lot of young, energetic talented players,” said Smith, who just completed his NCAA eligibility with the Stetson Hatters with 13.8 points and a Atlantic Sun conference leading 6.8 rebounds per game and is now looking at playing at the pro level. “I believe we have the players who can slow the game down and get the job done.”

And Leon Cooper, who is back after missing last year because of an injury, is fresh off completing his final year at West Virginia Tech where he was an All-American guard and earning his degree in sports mnagement, said the team is just an example of the talent that the Bahamas has to offer.

“I know most of the guys from when I played two years ago and I followed the team last year,” said the 24-year-old 6-2 guard. “We have a lot of talent on this team. We’re coming together and with the couple days left, we hope to gel together. But we have good inside play and shooters, so we’re looking good. Hopefully we can bring back the gold.”

After winning the title last year, Bowleg said the goal is to repeat. 

The Bahamas will play out of Group B against Antigua and Barbuda, Bermuda, Guyana and Suriname. Group A will comprise of Barbados, British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, St Vincent and the Grenadines and US Virgin Islands.

On Monday, the Bahamas will play their opener at 3:15pm against Bermuda. Their second game is scheduled for 6:45pm Tuesday against Guyana and they will then play Suriname 4:15pm Wednesday. Their final game in the preliminary round robin segment is 6:45pm Thursday against Antigua and Barbuda.

Friday is an off day for the Bahamas, but they will return to play their classification round on Saturday. The tournament will wrap up on Sunday.

Also travelling with the team will be Keith ‘Belzee’ Smith, who will serve as chef de mission. Alvardo Kemp is the team manager and Eugenia Patton will be the physiotherapist.

While the team is scheduled to travel on Friday, both Bowleg and Watson will remain behind for the funeral service of one of their players from the CC Sweeting Cobras, who will be buried on Saturday.