Combined Schools tames Lions

A young and very energetic Combined Schools Team proved too much for Bois D’ Orange Lions as they coasted to an easy win during play in the National Men’s Basketball League Thursday evening at the Vigie Multi-Purpose Sports Complex.

Combined Schools came away with a 86-63 victory in a fast paced game. Give Lions some credit, despite playing against younger opponents intent on running them breathless up and down the court, they did keep up for much of the game. However, in the end, Combined Schools with their run and gun tactic proved too much to handle.

School boys were led by Troy Louison with a game high 31 points and seven rebounds earning him the Valley Cold Storage Player of the Game.

In game two of the scheduled double header, ISE won by default over Micoud Hustlerz.

In Dennery, a Premiere League clash saw defending champions Courts Jets grounded by the home team 76-60.

In their lopsided victory, Combine Schools put on show for a special guest. In attendance was President of the Caribbean Basketball Confederation/Vice President for Central America and the Caribbean, Usie Richards. While here for the St Lucia Jazz and Arts Festival, he received an invitation from the St Lucia Basketball Federation (SLBF) to attend the game.

Asked about CBC, when it comes to assisting the SLBF, their clubs and affiliates, Richards began by first congratulating the executive for successfully hosting a Level One Coaching clinic.

He then went on to say: “The most important item we are addressing in the Caribbean, is the need to organize and structure the sport of basketball through the federations in each of the countries that make up the Caribbean Basketball Federation. We have clinics and training for coaches, referees, table officials etc, and we are preparing the implementation for assisting coaches who are
certified in Level One and Two, in developing the game of basketball for the players within their particular national federation.”

Richards feels that structure and organization by individuals who manage and administer the game is vital because “if we don’t have good teachers, instructors and referees the quality of the game of basketball will not be good.”

Commenting on the game which Combined Schools won convincingly Richards said: “There is nothing more pleasing to see, than a group of young men beating an older team, which speaks volumes for the younger players.”