Acting Government Commissioner Mervyn Stegers declaring the games open.
ST. EUSTATIUS--St. Maarten won the Rock Da Rim U-21 basketball tournament.
The U-21 Survival of the Fittest Inter-Island basketball tournament took place over the weekend at the Earl Merkman Sports hall.
Teams from the islands of St. Kitts and Nevis, and St. Maarten flew in to compete in the tournament along with host island St. Eustatius.
Before the tournament began, the teams were driven through the streets on the island in a motorcade that ended at Earl Merkman Sports auditorium.
Acting Government Commissioner Mervyn Stegers opened the games. Stegers spoke of how wonderful it was to see the various teams that have come to the island to play in the games. It is not only about winning but it is the unity of playing together as a team, he said. Then he declared the game opened and he wished them all a successful tournament and may the best team win.
The referees for the tournament were Carlos Lopes, former Island Commissioner Derrick Simmons, former Governor Gerald Berkel, Andy Gittens and Rignaldo Merkman.
The competition was fierce as the games concluded on the first night at 2:00am. The second night saw host country St. Eustatius play for the championship game against St. Maarten. Both teams played a great game, but it was St. Maarten that came out ahead in the nail-biter game.
First place winner St. Maarten and second place winner St. Eustatius.
Nevis and St. Kitts played for third place, where Nevis won the trophy in the back-and-forth game.
St. Maarten won the first place trophy, St. Eustatius came in at second place, Nevis won third place and coming at fourth place was St. Kitts.
Jamal Ireland from the St. Maarten team was named Most Valuable Player.
The organisers of the tournament extended their thanks to the sponsors, the Island Government and everyone that came out to make the tournament a success.
The stands at the tournament were at capacity and many came out to show their support to the youngsters.
