Providenciales, TCI, 13th July 2016 – Five days, two coaches, and twenty-one young athletes later, the Rising Stars Basketball Club made the Turks and Caicos Islands proud again their 2nd year performance at YBOA’s 27th Annual National Championship Tournament.
The Florida based tournament hosted at the Orange County Convention Centre from July 3-16th saw its usual participation of nearly 50 registered te0ams from different parts of the United States, including Puerto Rico, New Zealand and Turks and Caicos Islands being the only Caribbean represented team in the line-up.
The Rising Stars Basketball Club registered two teams in the 9th Grade (Junior Varsity) division and the 10th Grade (Senior Varsity) division.
The Senior Varsity team coached by Head Coach and President of the Rising Stars Basketball Club, Mervin Forbes, played under the team name TCI Falcons and the Junior Varsity Team coached by Assistance Head Coach, Trevor Cooke, played under the name TCI Pelicans.
Both teams managed to keep in the Top 5 out of the 22 teams totaled in their pool for the first three days of the tournament.
In 2015 each of the games these teams played ended with the opposing team having a minimum of a 40pt lead.
“We are proud of the fact that in 2016, both the Senior and Junior varsity teams managed to keep 20pt, 10pt, and 5pt margin losses in each of their games.
Although only one game ended in a win, the obvious improvement and display of skill and talent was a reward in itself. It goes to prove how much the program helps cultivate these young athletes,” shared Head Coach Mervin Forbes.
Top scorers from the Senior Varsity team were Rajun Valentine (PG), Derek Rolle (PF/C), Shadarno Clarke (C), Liam Delancy, Frey Merete (SG), and Deshawn Penn (SF).
Top scorers from Junior Varsity team were Lashano Pierre (SF), Johndee Ashton (C/PF) and Bradley Louis (SG).
“The Rising Stars basketball trip to Orlando was really better than I expected. My expectations were going to the stadium play our games, and back to the hotel. I was wrong, after the games we got a chance to go out to amusement parks and water parks and have fun!
Playing basketball, Coach Mervin Forbes is a really great coach! He has this good program where you are bound to get better at your game and better your skills. Those of you who aren’t apart of the club should really join it,” expressed Rolle, Team Captain for the TCI Falcons.
“Thanks to Rising Stars Basketball Club TCI for a wonderful 6 months of training but also show us that life is not all about basketball. Thanks to Coach Trevor M. Cooke for the life lessons and lectures you gave us we really appreciated it. What I really liked about the camp ending in a tournament was so that we could see what our individual skills were and what we need to work on this upcoming season. Can’t wait until next year,” commented Pierre, starting small forward for the TCI Pelicans.
The Rising Stars Basketball Club would like to say a special thank you to Grand Turk native and small forward for the Houston Rockets, Trevor Ariza, for his words of inspiration and wisdom shared with both teams before departing to Orlando to play.
We would also like to take this opportunity to thanks two of our lead sponsors FORTIS TCI and FLOW TCI. Additionally, we would like to thank the TCI Roadrunners, Sun Oil, TWA Law Firm, Alexandra Resort, and all other entities that made this experience possible.
Next up, the club will be hosting its Annual Evolutions Basketball Camp from August 2nd – 6th, 2016. Registration is open. Boys and girls between ages 9 -16 are encouraged to register immediately, as space is limited.
