Barker pins youth basketball hopes on development tourney

Though the holidays have contributed to a smaller team turnout than projected, for the inaugural ‘Battle in Jamaica’ basketball tournament, organiser Ludlow Barker hopes the objectives will be met.

The tournament started at the University of Technology auditorium yesterday and ends Saturday.

The tournament will give young players good preparation for the CENTRO tournament next June and continue the development of Jamaica’s basketball.

“We have no preparation for CENTRO, which is going to be tough, and if we are going to send any of our players, they need to be ready,” Barker said.

The Jamaica Amateur Basketball Association works with the players two Saturdays each month, and Barker added that they also have the best Under-16 players together with different coaches from various conferences being prepared.

INTERNATIONAL EXPOSURE

“This tournament will get them exposed to international competition and a high level of doing things,” he said.

The inclusion of Canadian U-17 team Brampton Elite is a bonus for Barker, who says this will help the players get a feel of international competitions.

“We hope this continues to develop basketball, because the more they play, the more experience and exposure they get, especially at a younger age,” he said.

Jamaica College, Calabar, Cornwall College and Brampton Elite will contest the under-16 championship.

Calabar, Ardenne and St George’s College will vie for the Under-19 crown, while division one teams Spartans, Panthers, Camperdown, UTech and EXED (Excelsior Community College) will compete for the men’s open championship.

Teams will face each other in a round robin in their respective groups before the semifinals and final, which are set for Saturday.