Vergenoegen Secondary are champions of YBG mini-regional schools basketball tournament

… Bowman impressed with talent displayed

Youth Basketball Guyana has organised the first mini-regional basketball tournament for schools on the West Coast of Demerara. The action was on Thursday, May 5th, and it saw Vergenoegen Secondary emerging victorious.

Co-Founder of Youth Basketball Guyana, Chris Bowman, has said he was impressed with the talent displayed on the West Coast of Demerara, and there is a lot of potential there.
The one-day tournament aimed to provide those schools who have expressed interest in participating in this year’s National Schools Basketball Festival to test their skills locally among the schools in their region, and determine a ranking system for the NSBF(Festival) 2022.
The schools participating in the WCD tournament, held at the Tuschen Primary School Court, were: West Demerara Secondary, Stewartville Secondary, Leonora Secondary, and Vergenoegen Secondary.

The event was well attended by teachers, students, parents and members of the community. Also present for the entire day’s programme was the Principal of the West Demerara Secondary School, Harrinarine, a strong advocate for extra-curricular activities.
The results of the tournament were as follows:
Game 1: Leonora Secondary 22 vs West Demerara Secondary 13
Top Performers: Leonora – Trevaughn Parris 8 points, 9 rebs, Joshua Medouze 6 points; and for West Dem. Sec. – J. Richards 7 points, B. Nurse 6 points.
Game 2: Vergenoegen Secondary 21 vs Stewartville Secondary 9
Top Performers: Vergenoegen- Quan Jackman 10 points, 13 rebs, Kareem Gilkes 6 points, 5rebs and Stewartville- Joshua Leander 4 points, 7rebs.

Third Place- West Demerara Secondary 20 vs Stewartville 13
Top Performers: West Dem. Sec- J. Richards 11 points, 7 rebs, B. Nurse 7 points and Stewartville Joshua Leander 9 points, 6 rebs.
First Place – Vergenoegen Secondary 30 vs Lenora Secondary 8
Top Performers: Vergenoegen – Quan Jackman 15 points, 11 rebs, Kareem Gilkes 12 points, 8rebs and Lenora- Daniel Williams 5 points.
In an interview with this publication Co-Founder of Youth Basketball Guyana, Chris Bowman, was asked to comment on the talent he had witnessed, and he said, “Of course the talent on the West Coast is tremendous! We have a lot of potential over there, and of course the East Bank of Essequibo. I think that is why we have Central Academy on that side at the Tuschen Primary School.
“What we observed from the competition, as we told the kids, they just lack opportunities. They are just not playing enough, but what we saw, the turnout and the commitment from teachers, students, the headmaster of the West Demerara Secondary, parents, community support. So, they have all the pieces to really elevate basketball on the West Coast.”
Bowman further divulged that the talent seen was special, owing to the fact they the YBG saw children ranging from first form to fourth form. Hence, the YBG Co-Founder has related that while the talent is present, they still lack the competitive aspect.
Bowman further explained that as it pertains to raising the awareness of the sport, it is his belief that with outreaches such as what was held in the community, it is a pivotal first step in the process. It is also his hope that after the tournament, people in the community would pick up the game, as they will now have the opportunity to hone their skills at one of YBG’s local academies, which would be on the East Bank.
He reiterated that this would be the process that would continue at the local level until basketball is elevated.
Bowman explained that the media would also play an important part as they will be able to report on activities at the grassroots level, which is another important means of raising the awareness of basketball at that level.
As it relates to what will be next on the agenda for YBG, Bowman said, “Next, we will be on the East Bank of Demerara. So, we will be going to do an outreach, and then a tournament similar to what we held before for kids and schools on the East Bank. Once that is done, the schools can now organise themselves for more opportunities, and the kids who stand out can participate in one of YBG’s academies.
The mini regional tournament format will continue as a lead-up to this year’s NSBF for schools in Linden, Berbice, East Bank Demerara, East Coast Demerara, and Georgetown. This is made possible through the sponsorship of the National Sports Commission, ExxonMobil, G-Boat Guyana, Edward B. Beharry & Company Ltd, Fireside Grill, and Banks DIH Ltd.