The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunedia.net

AFTER their chances to travel to the FIBA Under- 16 Girls Tournament in July was cancelled because of finances, Varel Davis said she decided to form the Elite Ballers girls’ basketball club to afford the players the opportunity to still be able to compete.

The club, which also consists of assistant coach Shakira Farrington, participated in the Super 6 Basketball Tournament at the Rosemont Community Center in Orlando, Florida, August 5-7.

In advancing to the championship game in the tournament, the club lost 45-31 to the Colorado 76ers to finish with a 2-2 win-loss record. Davis, however, said the experience for the players was tremendous.

Members of the team included Savannah Turnquest, Dominiqua Rolle, Geontae Simpson, Dior-Rae Scott, Terell McCoy, Danielle McCoy, Shenell Stewart, Teanna Gibson, Vincinique Dames, Geraniqua Bethel, Valtasia Woodside and Trinity Bodie.

“The tournament went very well. We were able to play four games and got to the championship where we lost,” Davis said. “I can tell you that the exposure and the experience these girls received will go a long way in their future development.

“I am also pleased to see some of the scouts who came over to talk to me about some of the players. We were able to secure three scholarships for high school players in the United States on their performances.”

Although this was the first sort of tournament that the players participated in since the outbreak of COVID-19, Davis said the Elite Ballers club gave a very good account of themselves.

“The girls worked so hard from March and so when they heard that they were not going to be travelling to the tournament, I decided to create my own basketball club,” she said. “We were all disheartened when we heard that we would not be able to travel. “I was able to get the club registered in the tournament so they can get something to do. “They worked very hard, and I wanted to make sure that they got some exposure and experience. I just wanted to make sure that the girls got to travel after all they did to prepare for the national team.”

Davis said she was happy to know that the parents were pleased to see their children go off to compete after the disappointment of not being able to travel on the national team. She noted that this is just the first of many trips that she intends to take the club on in the future. Through a number of individuals and companies who assisted, the club was able to make the trip.

Davis thanked the following for their assistance - Jimmy Clarke, Leonardo Lightbourne, Sun Oil Limited, Roxbergh Williams, Discount Distributors, Robert Furnitures, Dr Marsha Williams-Bethel, Bahamas Bus and Truck, A Sure Win, Acropolis, George Myers Restaurant, C2 G Shipping, Vaughn Jones Memorial Center, John Stuart, Erika Edgecombe, Jessica Murray, Demeritte’s Funeral Home, Nassau Agencies, Andrew Davis QBC, The George Myers Restaurant, Ryan Turnquest and Air Courier Express.