Robertson S. Henry. Sports and Cultural Contributor
FEBRUARY 2013; KINGSTOWN, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines – Bouccament Secondary School female basketball team waltzed away with the 2013 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Secondary School Girls Basketball Championship on Sunday evening with a 77 – 37 demolition of Bishop’s College.
Despite as mix-up over the starting time and the attendant frustrations as to what should be, Bouccament Bay girls wasted no time in establishing their game plan, jumping to a 6 – nil lead before Bishop’s College was able to net their first point.
Notwithstanding, Bishop’s College refusal to lay down and die and soon began to slowly erase whatever advantage Bouccament Bay enjoyed.
Nevertheless, the relentless pressure exerted by Bouccament Bay girls began to take its toll in the third quarter, forcing tactical mistakes from the opposition bench, paving the way for a Bouccament Bay victory.
2013 Girls basketball champions – Bouccament Bay Secondary. Photo by Robertson Henry
The fourth quarter was one-sided as Bishop’s College found themselves without the services of the best player who fouled out. Bouccament Bay toyed with the opposition, netting points at will, deflating all will power towards any thoughts of a come from behind victory.
Bouccament Bay (yellow tops) on the attack
However, the Girls championship game was no indication of what was to come in the Boys’ championship match between Bequia Community High and Union Island Secondary. As a few knowledgeable spectators pointed out that any game between Union Island and Bequia is like a war! Moreover, they did not exaggerate.
2013 boys basketball champions – union island secondary
Union Island began aggressively; driving to the basket, executing easy layups and coupled with accurate shooting from the outside, soon established themselves on the game.
However slowly and surely Bequia worked themselves into the game, scoring their points, in the process giving themselves a chance at taking hold of the championship trophy.
Union Island (green outfits) scores another basket in Sunday’s final
The game was a tit-for-tat, take-no-prisoner affair with the first quarter ending in favour of Union Island 22 – 19. The second and third quarters were even stevens ending at 39 – all and 57 – all respectively, and it was the fourth quarter that spectators looked forward to, none leaving their seats.
The pendulum swung one way, then the other, but with just one minute to go, the Bequia coach made a tactical error in substitution, citing the tiredness of his players. Immediately a foul was committed and with just 6 seconds to go on the game clock, Union Island had two free throws and netted they did… to take a 70-69 lead.
2013 boys finalist – Bequia Community High
Bequia was unable to adequately respond, and when the final whistle blew despite some mix-ups at the scoring table, Union Island was the 2013 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Secondary School Boys Basketball Champions, leaving their island neighbours staring into space like zombies, wondering where they went wrong.
