Cayman Islands - Basketball shifts into high gear

From www.caymannetnews.com
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Coach Nelson Isley works with St Vincent coaches and players on developing a coaching structure.

The Price Waterhouse Coopers Under-15 Girls and Boys League got off to a great start with four games at the Digicel Court.

Comets blazed the Monarchs 33-17 in the first game. Christina McLean led with 14 points and 11 steals, and teammate Felecia Connor added eight points and three rebounds. Amber Watson assisted with 11 steals. Sharen Woodman was the principal player for the Monarchs with six points and four steals; Shana Linwood netted five points, had four steals and seven rebounds.

Warriors defeated Ball-aholics 33-10 in the second game of the night. Tiko Moore was the architect of Warriors’ victory with 18 points and 13 rebounds, and Roshawn Robb finished with 11 rebounds. The Ball-aholics top scorer was Morgan Wood with four points and four rebounds. Ben Stoner and Nicholas Bush finished with five rebounds each.

Fans saw the Sparks take down the Mystics 22-17 in the third game. Rose Marie Wilson was the pilot of Sparks’ victory with 17 points and 11 rebounds, while teammate Janice Wright finished with two points and eight steals. Latorae Nixon netted seven points and four rebounds for the Mystics. Teammate April Ebanks assisted with four points and nine rebounds.

345 Ballers shot down the Assassins 36-25 in the final game of the evening. 345 Ballers main player was Joanna Simpson with 16 points, 14 rebounds and six steals; Brandon Thompson added eight points, 15 rebounds and five steals. Assassins’ main draw was David Powery with 14 points and three rebounds with Jamaal Miller adding two points and eight rebounds.

National Basketball player Victor ‘Voot’ O’Garro said he was pleased with the level of play in the Price Waterhouse Coopers U-15 Girls and Boys League.

"It was a good start and it was good to see the number of parents. The children looked so smart in their uniforms," he observed.

The Price Waterhouse Coopers U-15 Girls and Boys League action continues this Saturday at the Digicel Court off Eastern Avenue at 5:00 pm with four more games.

In other basketball news, the Cayman Islands Basketball Association (CIBA) along with the Federation International Basketball Association (FIBA) has teamed up to host a Level 1 Coaching Course over 15–23 March.

The Level 1 course will be held on Grand Cayman during 15–20 March at the Truman Bodden Sports Complex and in Cayman Brac on 22–23 March.

Nelson Isley, a FIBA instructor for 13 years with 40 years of coaching experience under his belt, will facilitate the Level 1 coaching course in the Cayman Islands. He has been in St Vincent for the past three months working with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and that country’s on developing a coaching structure. Coach Isley has also coached in several Africa and Asian countries as well as Iceland. After he finishes in the Cayman Islands, he will travel to Singapore to work with the IOC on a national coaching programme. Coach Isley’s credentials allow him to certify to FIBA’s highest level, Level 3.

Coach Isley explained what it means to be a FIBA certifying instructor, "You have to have enough technical knowledge of the game that you can pass that knowledge on, and you have to be a good teacher."

A Level 1 coaching course is an introductory course. It is usually for coaches who work with children. However, Coach Isley recognises that this may not be the case here because in the Caribbean there is a delicate balance of coaches. "We have students of the game, or people who don’t have the practical experience, but this course provides a good foundation for coaches to progress to another level and for the people they are coaching," he explained.

National Technical Director Victor Voot O’Garro clarified why it is important for Cayman coaches to get certified, "It is mandatory that teams and clubs have certified coaches in order to participate in events sanctioned or organised by CIBA."

"A Level 1 course offers a familiarisation with the game. It is much more welcoming than higher-level courses for new coaches. This is the basics of the game. It is a good starting point for young coaches and provides a good foundation," he added