The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

AFTER a two-year hiatus because of the coronavirus pandemic, the Temple Christian Academy will be bringing back its primary and mini boys and girls basketball tournament.

The tournament, now in its 11th year, will be staged from Monday to Friday, October 16-21 at the Temple Christian Academy’s Gymnasium starting at 3:30 pm daily.

Tournament organiser Keno Demeritte said they are anticipating at least seven teams, but five have confirmed so far in the primary boys division, four in the mini boys and three in the primary girls divisions.

“Because we had a long time off from basketball in the primary school system, our focus this year is just on allowing the kids to play, but at the same time enjoy the game again,” Demeritte said. “We just want the coaches to see where their players are so they can start developing them again in basketball.”

As they prepare for the competition, Demeritte said he anticipates that it will still be stiff.

“I think the scores and the teams will continue to perform very well,” Demeritte said. “So I expect that the competition will still be tough all around in the primary and mini boys and even in the primary girls.

“We know that there will be some sloppy plays because of the long lay offs in the primary school basketball, but we expect that the coaches will have their teams ready to play in the tournament.”

As the host of the tournament, Demeritte said their rivals can expect the Suns to challenge for the title in all three divisions.

“I believe we have a strong contingent that can compete for the title in all three divisions,” he projected. “We’re not taking any teams for granted. We just know that Temple Christian Academy will be prepared because the tournament is on our home soil.”

When the tournament was last played in 2019, Temple Christian Academy carted off all the team hardware. Trophies and medals will again be presented to the top three teams in all three divisions at this year’s tournament.