The Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation [GABF] officially launched their Goodwill International Series against Grenada yesterday at the Palm Court Sports Bar, Main Street.
The three-match tour, which is slated to commence on December 5th, will be staged at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, Homestretch Avenue. It is slated to conclude on December 9th. The second match will be staged on the 7th. Guyana is presently ranked 97th globally, with Grenada positioned 117th.
GABF President Michael Singh revealed that the series emanated following discussions from between the head-coaches of the respective teams, adding that the event will be utilised to expose the local players and conclude the 2019 season.
Meanwhile Head-Coach Junior Hercules stated that while the intention is to win the series, the main objective of the event is to prepare a local core for the impending CBC Champion-ships in 2020, as Guyana’s aim is to successfully repeat their 2018 triumph.
According to Hercules, the event presents the perfect opportunity for emerging national players to stake a claim for regular national team berths, adding that the training squad will feature players from the Georgetown, East Coast Demerara, Linden, West Demerara and East Bank Demerara environs.
He further added that both teams play a similar fast paced style, while revealing that the first phase of the trials will be conducted at the Burnham Court on Carmichael and Middle Streets.
The present training roster comprises Harold Adams [Small Forward], Travis Belgrave [Small Forward], Dave Causeway [Point Guard], Akeem Crandon [Power Forward], Jamal Gilkes [Small Forward], Orlan Glasgow [Small Forward], Yonnick Tappin [Shooting Guard], Timothy Thompson [Centre], Dominic Vincente [Shooting Guard], Shaine Webster [Centre], Nikkoloi Smith [Shooting Guard], Kevon Wiggins [Combo Guard], Ray Victor [Combo Guard], Terron Welch [Shooting Guard], Nathan Saul [Shooting Guard], Travis Burnette [Point Guard] and Marlon Chesney [Point Guard].
Also, the Berbice and Bartica regions will also have the opportunity to send their best player for the sessions, while they will also be a slot open for a Wild Card player. Meanwhile, the GABF will commence their 3×3 U18 Basketball Championship on Sunday at the Burnham Court.
The tournament which is slated to be played utilizing a knockout round, will feature 16 teams. The winning four- member team will represent Guyana at the 2020 International Basketball Foundation [IBF] 3×3 Championship in Guadeloupe.
