… Male and female teams to commence training on Sunday

THE Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF) last evening announced the shortlisted names for both their male and female teams that will represent Guyana at the July 1-12 Caribbean Basketball Confederation (CBC) Championship in Tortola. 

Through its president Nigel Hinds, the GABF named 24 female and 34 male players to commence training on Sunday at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.
Former National point guard Mark Agard was named head coach of the men’s side with Darcel Harris as his assistant, while Junior Hercules will be the team’s manager.
On the distaff side, Kwakwani-based Ann Gordon will be in charge, with Brian Carter her assistant and Herbert Adams as manager.
The shortlists for both teams also include the overseas players since, according to Hinds, they were all notified that being in Guyana is important and will not be selected otherwise.
Heading the list of overseas players is LA Clippers point guard Darren Collison along with former Indiana Pacers and Dallas Mavericks forward Rawle Marshall. They who are vying to suit up for Guyana in the British Virgin Island.
Gordon Klaiber, 6’7” Tyler Persaud, Andrew Ifill and Keron McKenzie, Guyana’s highest aggregate scorer at the last Championship in the Bahamas, are also among the overseas players.
Players returning from the 2011 squad are: Dwayne Roberts, Akeem Kanhai, Ryan Gullen, Royston Siland, Ryan Stephney, Stephan Gillis and Shane Webster.
Guyana’s lone championship was won by the Linden Alphonso women’s team at the 1996 games and since then, the Golden Arrowhead’s only appearance was at the 2006 games in Puerto Rico.
The women’s overseas list includes several collegiate standouts, namely Shellon Scantlebury, Tiffany LaFleur, Nikita LaFleur, Cindy Johnson, Mariam McKenzie and Philomena George.
Apart from Sunday June 8, the team will meet every Tuesday, Thursday from 18:00hrs to 22:00hrs and Saturday, Sunday 08:00hrs – 12:00hrs.
It was not disclosed when the final list will be announced, but the GABF noted that daily morning and evening practice sessions will commence June 22 at Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, by which time all the overseas-based players are required to be in Guyana. The first two overseas-based players Tyler and Damian Persaud will arrive in Guyana on Sunday, June 8.
Female shortlisted squad: Kadiann Rowe, Necosia Mitchell, Shakelia Sampson, Tamara Hunter, Timike Joseph-DeRouche, Kean Andrews, Natasha Andrews, Tanika Alphonso, Lowquantor Gibson, Ginelle Ifill, Kristy Roberts, Natoila Primo, Natasha Alder, Nichola Jacobs, Sonia Rodney, LaToya Rodney, Shanna Chester, Sharon Jerome, Shellon Scantlebury, Tiffany LaFleur, Nikita LaFleur, Cindy Johnson, Mariam McKenzie and Philomena George. Head coach Ann Gordon; assistant coach Brian Carter; manager Herbert Adams.

Male squad: Akeem Kanhai, Travis Burnett, Dwayne Roberts, Ryan Gullen, Ryan Stephney, Shelroy Thomas, Dave Causeway, Royston Siland, Shane Webster, Keon Cameron, Chris Williams, Orin Rose, Lawrence DaCosta, Stephan Gillis, Dominic Vincente, Jermain Slater Randy Richardson, Jason Squires Nikolai Smith, Keifer Tappin, Kevin Emanuel, Damian Persaud, Tyler Persaud, Kevon Creepy, Delroy James, Darren Collison, Rawle Marshall, Ray Victor, Gordon Klaiber, Andre DeFlorimonte, Steffon Farley, Richard Hall, Andrew Ifill, Keron McKenzie and Robert Davis. Head coach Mark Agard; assistant coach Darcel Harris; manager Andrew Hercules.

(By Rawle Toney)