Bahamas - National b-ball teams already in training sessions

By BARBARA WALKIN

When the Bahamas Bas-ketball Federation (BBF) national team practice began on Monday, April 23, noted coach Charles "Softly" Robins was the man wearing the head coach cap.

Robins was selected by the BBF and its president David "Stretch" Morely to head the team, while another famed Grand Bahama coach, Norris Bain, and Reggie Forbes were singled out as his assistants.

Robins, Bain and Forbes will lead the men's team, while Linda Davis, Charlene Smith and Chuck Mackey conduct sessions for the ladies.

In a prepared communication, Morley outlined several aspects, including dates of competition.

"The BBF in keeping with its mandate to prepare teams for international competition for FIBA qualifying tournaments this summer would like to invite all senior male and female and junior boys' basketball players locally and abroad, to participate in its national Training program," said Morley, in the release.

He specified that junior boys must be 17 years old or born on or after January 1, 1990.

"This program is schedule to begin April 23, in New Providence at the Donald Davis or Sir Kendal Isaacs and in Freeport at the St. Georges or Jack Hayward Gyms," it said, "or as soon as we can get a schedule completed with the various facilities."

The junior boys' program will again be headed by Marion Bowleg, the release reported.

"He is to be assisted by Chevy Simmons, Quinton Hall and Darrell Sears."

Hall is the newly appointed head coach of the Eight Mile Rock Bluejays and Sears, is the head coach of the St. Georges Jaguars. The juniors boys have already begun their workout in New Providence.

"For the past several years the Federation has been hosting division college teams to Nassau, this year we will be hosting five male and two female teams during the month of May," said the release.

Female teams will begin arriving as early as May 17, Montana State University, will compete against two select teams from New Providence Women's Association.

New Mexico State men's team will arrive on May 24, they will compete against a combine select team from New Providence and Grand Bahama, and two club teams from the New Providence Men's Association.

"This year we would hope to use these games to help prepare our senior personnel to compete in the CBC Championships in August," it noted.

"This year the Federation will be providing some cash incentives for players, who participate in the work-outs and make the squads to compete against the college teams, and the National Teams."

Each team, it added, that competes against the college teams will be given a donation for each game that the team plays.

"All persons who make the Senior National Teams - male and female - will be eligible to receive a per diem, one third payable before they travel and the balance at completion of the tournament," the release said.

Teams will be travelling to Puerto Rico —Junior boys, July 31 - August 4, Centro Basketball Championships. The senior men, August 4 - 10 and senior women, August 11 - 15, CBC Championships.