MARIGOT--A U15 basketball selection returned Tuesday from an Inter- League Tournament “Tournoi Antilles-Guyane” held in Cayenne, French Guiana, from April 8 to April 10, 2016.
The St. Martin selection was outplayed by their opponents Guadeloupe, Martinique and French Guiana in all three games but the experience was very beneficial to the team.
“It was a learning experience and the kids had a great time,” said delegation head Arthur Fleming, Vice-President of the French Territorial Basketball Committee (CTBSM). “The main goal of this trip was to cooperate together as one unit, to be disciplined, so they can become respectable young men in our society and represent St. Martin to the best of their abilities. They put in a great effort during the tournament.”
St. Martin has been to the tournament in the past two years but as invited guests only. It officially entered the organisation in May of last year.
“The President of the French Guiana delegation was very pleased with our participation for the first time,” Fleming added.
The 10 players in the selection were; Sherron Brooks, Aldon Connor, Leyton Connor, Brondon Hunt, Joqwan Leblanc, Jahmaly Lake, Francisco Ratchel, Pierre-Denis Beljour, David Saturne, and Steven Timothy.
The scores were French Guiana 67-St. Martin 37; St. Martin 29-Martinique 75; and Guadeloupe 94-St. Martin 40.
Basketball referee Nathalie Rubini also attended a referee course in French Guiana prior to the selection’s arrival for the tournament, Fleming noted.
“She’s the only referee we have on the French side so she’s very instrumental to our organisation. She learnt a lot from the course,” he said.
Fleming noted a U13 selection will be going to the same tournament but this time in Martinique from April 22 to 24, 2016.
Other members of the St. Martin delegation in French Guiana were Federal Technical Adviser Charles Henri Palvair, Head Coach Michelet Dede, and Assistant Coach Samuel Gumbs.
