As action in the Rainforest Waters/Malta Supreme/Georgetown Amateur Basketball Association (GABA) League continues at the Burnham Hard Court, an Eagles’ U-23 player, the ever consistent Sherland Gillis, is confident that while being cautious when competing, his side can still become a force in basketball to be reckoned with.
Eagles U23 player Sherland Gillis
Speaking with Guyana Times Sport, he was asked what has made him so successful in the league; and Gillis responded by saying, “Well, my experience came from being exposed to different levels of basketball. That was as a by-product of my high school basketball coach, Willon Cameron, who insisted that we must understand the fundamentals of basketball if we want to excel in the sport. Hence he insisted that we must take responsibility for our actions; making everyone around his programme more cognisant of their role, and doing it to the best of their abilities.
“Further, playing in Berbice is more aggressive, due to the fact that it is mostly recreational here. So it strengthened me as a player. In totality, I’d say (that) through the instillation of principles and the basketball I was exposed to, my experience was obtained”.
Gillis also said exercise plays an important role in his form, as he generally focuses on cardio, and places emphasis on his free throws, since he is genuinely called a lot to the line. He also said he is not worried about where the league would take him, as he plays the game for the love of the sport.
Gillis averages 20 points and 15 rebounds per game. In his last eight games, he has scored a whopping accumulative 125 points, which is by any standard extraordinary. Asked what role his coach plays in his form, Gillis said, “Generally, respect is the focal point…. Despite what the decision made is, it is upon me to respect decisions. Secondly, responsibility is further highlighted from him.”
Gillis has warned that the team would be focused on the game ahead, as they are looking to win the tournament; but in order to do so, the team must become as one.
He is thanking Youth Basketball Guyana (YBG) organisation for playing a vital role in his development as a player, and thus his vision is now set on what the future holds for him. (Timothy Jaikarran)
