… team stranded in Antigua
GUYANA Women’s Basketball team played undefeated to claim the title of the 12th annual Gillian Brazier Basketball Shootout which concluded on Sunday at the JSC Sports Complex in Antigua and Barbuda. However, not all good fortune is heading their way since the team is stranded in the country awaiting a flight back home because of another REDjet fiasco.
Speaking to the president of the Guyana Amateur Basketball Association (GABA), David Patterson, yesterday, he said it was unfortunate that after the team did so well they ended up in such a situation.
The players were scheduled to return tomorrow, but the REDjet mix-up caused the airline to suspend flights until further notice.
According to Patterson, the airline has not yet stated when again would be their next flight to the island.
GABA has made efforts to securing flights on LIAT and Caribbean Airlines but need the help from corporate sponsors to succeed.
Patterson stated that they have approached two partners, one of whom has immediately responded. He is still awaiting a positive word from the sponsors as early as possible because it will be more costly to accommodate the team after tomorrow, the day the current accommodation ends.
Patterson also stated that efforts will be made to contact the Sports Commission for help with the issue.
Meanwhile, Guyana won their final match of the tournament in commanding fashion as they crushed CPTSA Wings 72–32 to capture the title. CPTSA finished as the tournament runners-up while St Kitts and the Select team finished third and fourth respectively.
On the final day of the competition St Kitts defeated the Select Team (made up of mainly school players plus some senior players) 41–30.
Participating in the tournament for their second year, Guyana, and CPTSA both teams started the first quarter cold, but Wings took a five-point lead and could not hold on due to injury of two key players Amanda Edwards and Keshorna Aubrey.
Guyana took over the reins at the end of the quarter, and there was no looking back for them. Shantelle Nelson, the MVP, led the way for Guyana with 18 points while Nyota Peters and Tamera Hunter supported with 17 points and 12 points, respectively.
Hunter stood out on the night when she added ten rebounds and two steals to her performance.
The eventual victors led 11–10 at the first half; 28–17 and 60–22 at the end of the third quarter before the final result.
Tamera Hunter stood out with her aggressive play which resulted in her scoring 12 points, 10 rebounds and two steals.

Receiving individual awards were:
Most Points – Tyea Ladoo (ST), Most Assists – Dianna Palmer (SK), Most Block Shots – Alex Clarke (CW), Most Rebounds – Jesse St. John (ST), Most Steals: Kennesia Cabral (CW), Most Outstanding Rookie: Alex Clarke (CW) and Most Valuable Player: Shantelle Nelson (Guy).

The tournament was sponsored by Hutchinson Ltd, Social Security, APUA, Youth Basketball of America, GIGI Industries Ltd, Harney Motors Ltd, General Insurance Co. Ltd, Subway, Stitch World, Global Bank of Commerce and Photo Shack.