The newly appointed executive of the Georgetown Amateur Basketball Association (GABA) has rescheduled its first event, the season opener between Georgetown and Linden, to March 2 at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall
GABA’s new president Michael Singh told Stabroek Sports that the postponement of the event was due to the unavailability of sponsors during this festive season of Mashramani. According to Singh, the Georgetown/Linden encounters will be held to usher in GABA’s Super League which will commence on March 3 at the Burnham Basketball Court. While most of the league matches will be held at the Burnham Basketball Court, Singh said that his association was exploring the possibility of using the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall whenever rain prevents outdoor play. Singh added that it was his hope that the Georgetown/Linden encounters would reawaken the interest in the sport which GABA will be hoping to sustain with their regular league play. “This is really our opening event for the GABA Super League so we are hoping that the encounters bring back a little interest into the sport,” Singh Said. The new GABA president said that much effort will be placed into making that event a lively, exciting and entertaining night of basketball. The GABA Super League, according to Singh will comprise 10 division one teams and 13 division three teams. The league will be played during the months of March and April and conclude just as GABA and the other sub-associations begin to prepare their players for this year’s Senior Caribbean Basketball Championships (CBC) in Trinidad and Tobago in July, according to Singh.
The coaches for the respective sub-associations have already shortlisted their teams for next month’s season opener. The exhibition games will see the capital city’s under 19 and senior male teams taking on their Linden counterparts.
The Georgetown squad that has been shortlisted include (Ravens) AkeemKanhai, Ryan Gullen, Ryan Stephney, Jermaine Slater, Tyrone Hamid, Rodwell Fortune (Pacesetters) Travis Burnet, Stephan Gillis, Royston Siland, (Nets) Hodayah Stewart, DrumsonMcCullay, Mortimer Williams (Colts) Dave Causway, Shelroy Thomas, (Pepsi Sonics) Jason Squires and (Plaisance Guardians) Marlon Chesney.
The candidates for the Georgetown Under 19 team are:Dwight Gray, Jonathan Pooran, Shaquelle Adonis, Kelvin Yurrick, ShakaCodrington, Nducka Horatio, Quincy Easton, Quincy Dos Santos, Neil Gordan, Kevin Higgins, Nicholas Cassius, NyamebekyereBacchus and Jonathan Beaton. Robert Cadogan is expected to coach the senior while Mark Agard and Andrew Hercules will be coaching the juniors.
Meanwhile, the Linden Amateur Basketball Association (LABA) has shortlisted 21 under 19 prospects to continue training. Those players are Joel Webster, Emmanuel Archibald, Travin Dryden, KeiferTappin, Taqhille Johnson, Matthew Daniels, Desmond Peters, Akeel Primo, Marlon Alexander, Raydon Wilson, Selwyn Noble, Al Edwards, Terron Welch, Dennis Niles, Paul Kellman Gavin Gasper, Kyle Stewart, Dennis Niles, Calvin McDonnel, Isaiah Alphonso and Jammal Bethune. Linden’s senior squad comprises Steve Neils (Jr.), Shane Webster, Neil Marks, Marvin Hartman, Orin Rose, Chris Williams and Marlon Pollydore, Allister Webster, Quincy Jones, Marl Louis, Harold Adams, Keon Cameron and Orlando Glasgow.
