ROADTOWN Tortola BVI, April 4th, 2012 – Hard work, dedication and consistency was celebrated yesterday, April 3, when Government recognised, the BVI Tigers Basketball Team, winners of the 2012 March Madness Championship games held in St. Thomas, USVI.
From March 30 – April 1st, the BVI Tigers gained confidence and defeated teams from St. Croix and St. Thomas in an under 16 Bertha C. Boschulte Junior High 3rd annual basketball tournament, to claim bragging rights for the Territory.
In an appreciation ceremony held yesterday, congratulations were in order from all speakers including Minister for Education and Culture Honourable Myron V. Walwyn, Deputy Premier and Minister for Natural Resources and Labour Dr. The Honourable Kedrick Pickering and Acting Director of the Department of Youth Affairs and Sports Mr. Patrick Harrigan. House of Assembly member Honourable Alvera Maduro Caines was also in attendance in addition to parents, coaches, and well-wishers of the team.
Mr. Byron Hodge, President of the BVI Basketball Federation, congratulated the BVI Tigers for a job well done. He said he was satisfied with the team’s accomplishments and their ability to gain confidence throughout the tournament.
Highlighting their performance he said, “It was no fluke. It was a real example of teamwork and unselfish play. Continue to set standards high for yourself. Continue to work hard. Do right and you can achieve anything.”
Coach and Manager of the BVI Tigers Mr. Morrison “Morris” Wattley thanked all 15 players for sticking it out during the rough times, sweat and screaming. He told the team, “I am proud of you guys. You are the future of basketball in the British Virgin Islands. Continue to work hard.”
The Coach continued, “Nobody believed we could win but we believed it and I want to thank you guys for the hard work you put in. God’s spare life, we will return to St. Thomas to defend our crown.”
He urged the team members to continue to dig in to their school work and keep up their studies. “Books and basketball go together,” he reminded them. He also thanked the parents for their tremendous support in the lead up to and during the games, saying, “It would not be possible without you”.
Recapping a history of basketball in the Territory, Dr. Kedrick Pickering told the gathering that the first basketball league started in the Territory in 1975 with players like Honourable Mark Vanterpool, Ronnie Skelton, Patrick Harrigan and Jeffrey Skelton.
Chronicling the development of basketball in the Territory, he recalled having to play outdoors before sunset as there were no lights. After acquiring lights, he said, evening games began and the court had to be ‘mopped up’ whenever it rained. “Now a state of the art indoor Multi-Purpose Sports Complex exists,” he said.
“Appreciate what you see now because it wasn’t always what it was” He told the players before driving home the importance of keeping in their books. “I know of three persons who could have easily made it to Division A had they stayed in school and kept up their studies. Our hope is for you to make it to the final four.”
To the team he added, “This is really good. It is good to see you all being successful and bringing home this medal to the country. It is good for the county and it is good for you. Congratulations to you all. Job well done! We are proud of you.”
Minister for Education and Culture Honourable Myron V. Walwyn extended his congratulations to the team saying “I am very proud of the accomplishment of the team. I am very proud of the commitment of the coaches. Minister Walwyn was also present to greet the team on their return to the Territory after the championship game on April 1st.
Ms. Sharlene Hill, Assistant Manager and Mr Ronald “Gola” Norman, Assistant Manager was in attendance at yesterday’s ceremony. The Most Valuable Player was Mr. Kimron Telemacque.
The Ministry of Education and Culture supports the athletic development of the Territory’s youth and the discipline of sports in cultivating well-rounded individuals.
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