The 24th Annual Bequia Basketball Tournament delivered an evening of electrifying semi-final action on Wednesday, August 26th, at the Clive Tannis Hard Court. Spectators were treated to highly competitive matchups in the Under-12 (U12) and Second Divisions, highlighted by exceptional individual performances and a nail-biting finish that had everyone on the edge of their seats.
The evening commenced with the U12 Division semi-finals, where the Grinches secured the first spot in the championship game by defeating the Falcons 15-9. Zende Lorraine was the star of the game for the Grinches, putting on a dominant performance to score 12 of his team’s 15 points. The Falcons fought valiantly, paced by Kenolyi Ollivierre, who scored a team-high 7 points.
The second U12 semi-final between the Seagulls and the Ninjas proved to be one of the most dramatic games of the tournament so far. The Ninjas controlled the pace and maintained the lead for the majority of the matchup. However, the Seagulls refused to back down, mounting a tenacious late-game comeback. With the game tied and the clock winding down, Cavani Browne stepped to the free-throw line under immense pressure. Browne calmly converted two consecutive free throws, giving the Seagulls a narrow 10-9 victory. Jayceon Hutchins led the Seagulls’ scoring with 8 points, while the Ninjas’ offensive contributions were spread evenly across their roster.
The dramatic victory sends the Seagulls to the U12 Finals, setting up a championship showdown against the Grinches.
The Bequia Basketball Association highlighted the overwhelming turnout of parents and families who came to support the young players throughout the U12 semi-finals. The active encouragement from the stands created an energetic and positive environment, emphasizing the community’s growing enthusiasm for youth basketball.
In the Second Division semi-final, Apex Elite booked their ticket to the championship with a commanding 72-47 victory over the Rising Stars. Apex Elite was led by a masterclass performance from Khade Gooding, who filled the stat sheet with an outstanding double-double: 33 points, 10 rebounds, 5 steals, and 2 assists. The Rising Stars were led by Shaquille Primus, who also put up a strong double-double with 21 points, 10 rebounds, and 1 steal, though it was not enough to overcome Apex Elite’s balanced offensive and defensive pressure.
With the win, Apex Elite moves on to the Second Division championship, where they will face the Golden Knights for first place on Saturday, August 29.
The tournament’s schedule resumes on Friday, August 28, starting with a special morning event. At 10:15 AM, the Bequia Basketball Association will host a 3×3 Basketball Cultural Exchange Event with the Taiwan Youth Ambassadors at the Clive Tannis Hard Court. The event is designed to bring together youth players from Bequia and Taiwan to celebrate sport, friendship, and cultural exchange.
Friday evening will feature two highly anticipated semi-final matchups:
- U16 Division: Titans vs. Hornets
- First Division: Smokin’ Aces vs. Court Kings
The First Division matchup carries significant weight for the Court Kings. As the defending 2025 champions, the Court Kings enter the semi-finals determined to retain their crown. However, they face a challenging path, currently sitting in third place after the first round. They must defeat the Smokin’ Aces on Friday to keep their championship dreams alive.
The tournament will conclude with a thrilling lineup of final matchups and ceremonies at the Clive Tannis Hard Court:
Saturday, August 29
- U12 Division Finals: Grinches vs. Seagulls
- 2nd Division Finals: Golden Knights vs. Apex Elite
Sunday, August 30
- U16 Division Finals: Golden Knights vs. U16 Semi-Final Winner (Titans or Hornets)
- 1st Division Finals: East Blazers vs. 1st Division Semi-Final Winner (Smokin’ Aces or Court Kings)
- Closing Ceremony & Trophy Presentation
Bequia Basketball Association Public Relations Officer Ella Mitchell-Sutton encourages all local basketball fans, families, and supporters to come out to the Clive Tannis Hard Court to support the players as the 24th Annual Tournament reaches its dramatic conclusion.
