National female basketball team to play in Antigua next month

As part of its preparations for participation in next year’s CARICOM Basketball Championships, the national female basketball team will travel  to Antigua where they will compete in the 11th Annual Gillian Brazier Basketball Shoot-Out for females from November 24 – 28.

David Patterson

The local female team’s participation comes in response to invitations sent by the tournament’s host, the Concerned Parents/Teachers Sports Association (CPTSA) Wings Sports Club of St. John’s, Antigua, to basketball federations, clubs and schools in Antigua and overseas.

President of the Georgetown Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF) David Patterson confirmed the national team’s participation in the upcoming tournament when contacted by Stabroek Sport via telephone on Tuesday.

Patterson revealed that the team’s upcoming stint in Antigua will be the first of two trips scheduled this year for the national female team.

“We also [GABF] want the females in Suriname as well, and we are looking to do that sometime in December,” Patterson said.

The female team is scheduled to arrive in Antigua on November 23 or the morning of November 24 and depart on November 29.

The CPTSA will be covering all ground transportation to and from the competition venues and accommodation, while all interested teams are required to pay a registration fee of US$150 plus US$25 performance bond.

However, if a team does not forfeit any game and are present with at least eight players at the opening and closing ceremonies the performance bond will be returned.

Teams are also required to confirm participation by Friday and submit fees and bonds to the CPTSA before October 31.

According to Patterson, the GABF has already confirmed the participation of the national female team and the registration fee has been submitted.

The winning team at the end of the tournament will be awarded US$1000, along with a trophy and 15 medals, while the second and third place teams will receive a trophy and 15 medals each.

Individual awards will also be presented at the end of the tournament to the Most Valuable Player, the player with the most points, most assists, most steals, most rebounds (offensively and defensively) and most blocked shots.

There will also be a coach’s award and an award for the most disciplined player.