REGARDED as Guyana’s number one basketball club because of their consistency, Ravens will leave their nest in Georgetown on Saturday, January 19 and fly to Linden, eager to face the Amelia’s Ward Jets in the ‘Jets Basketball Exchange Classic’ at the Mackenzie Sports Club Hard Court.

“We’re on a high right now and looking to just play basketball. We’re just off winning two back-to-back tournaments and the players are all eager to keep playing,” explained Ravens coach Darcell Harris, who also pointed out that while the game is a friendly encounter, “Ravens will be going to Linden to win and win convincingly.”
The game was realised after Harris approached Jets club member Rawle Toney to organise a simple pickup game of basketball.
According to Harris, “Sometimes, not everything should be about money. Sometimes teams should travel around and play each other because we have to learn to help each other out to better our clubs. So we going to Linden will help our club, it would help Jets club and bring back the fun in the sport and camaraderie which is missing at this point.”
Ravens started their 2013 campaign by winning two titles in two weeks; first lifting the Phillip George Legacy tournament title and then the Albert Bentick Championship.
For the Jets, things didn’t go as well with the Amelia’s Ward-based team who had to settle for second place behind Victory Valley Royals in the Banks Malta Supreme Championship.
“I think what is heartening in this entire event is that two major clubs in Guyana are putting the same intensity and preparation for a major tournament into a friendly game of basketball so we’re asking everyone to come out and give them the support,” said Toney, a Jets club member who also once served as vice-president of the Linden Amateur Basketball Association (LABA).
Yesterday, Trophy Stall joined Ansa McAl under their Stag Beer Brand and Major Sports Centre as the persons who chipped in to make the event possible.
Parliamentary Secretary attached to the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, Steve Ninvalle has sponsored the Most Valuable Player (MVP) Trophy for the Ravens/Jets game.
Meanwhile, the supporting game is also expected to be exciting as it brings together recently crown champions Victory Valley Royals and their long-time nemesis the Kashif and Shanghai Kings and they too will play for trophies.
“It’s not often Ravens go to Linden so we’re hoping to make the best of it. I must say our players and myself, we are all very happy to play against new competition and we are going to have fun. I’m happy and must say thank you to Jets for accommodating us as well and to the people of Linden, I’m asking you all to come out and support the game because Ravens will be bringing a different brand of basketball,” said Harris.