Basketball players shine

(CNS): The Cayman Islands Basketball Association’s National Women’s League wrapped up its regular season recently with Quik Cash Storm, the only undefeated tem in the league, taking the championship in fine form. But there were surprises along the way as stats leaders were spread to most of teams in the league. Awards were made in six categories: assist champion; rebounding champion; scoring champion; best defensive player; most improved player and most important player. Only two of these awards were earned by members of the championship teams – Bobeth O’Garro took the honours as she captured two titles — assist champion and best defensive player.

Adelaide Francois, a student of St. Matthew’s University and player for Silver Bullets, was the rebounding champion. Noting that she was playing in an organised league for the first time, Francois said she was ecstatic at the win. “I’ve always played basketball with my brothers and cousins. This was a learning season and I am really grateful for the experience,” she said.

Silver Bullets also produced the MVP of the league in the person of Scimone Campbell (pictures above) who netted 17 points, 7 rebounds, and five steals per game. Esso Blazzettes’ Theresa Hamil secured the scoring champion title with 153 points. “This award is the result of team effort and the work of the Lord,” Hamil said, while adding thanks to her teammates and coach.

Two of Welly’s Cool Spot’s players took the most improved honours. Sheneka Moore was awarded the number one spot with 9 points, 14 rebounds and 4 blocks per game. In second place was Letanya Thompson with 10 points and four rebounds per game. Merta Day nabbed the MVP of the finals with 22 points, nine steals and 5 rebounds. Storm’s coach, Errol Gray picked up the coach of the year award for being the only undefeated team in the league.

National Women’s Coach, Redver Ebanks, said he was pleased to see that wealth of stats was spread throughout the teams in the league.

“It was a good league from the beginning,” he noted. Even though Storm had an undefeated season they did not blow away their opponents. For the most part they had some really tough games, but experience and determination carried them through to the championship,” he said.

Assist Champion
1. Bobeth O’Garro – Quik Cash Storm – 42
2. Lashawn Davis – Quik Cash Storm – 27
3. Lauri Webster – Esso Blazettes – 20

Rebounding Champion
1. Adelaide Francois – Silver Bullets – 120
2. Sheneka Moore – Welly’s Cool Spot – 113
3. Benieca Thompson – Dominos Lady Heels – 108

Scoring Champion
1. Theresa Hamil – Esso Blazettes – 153
2. Lavern Ebanks – Quik Cash Storm – 139
3. Scimone Campbell – Silver Bullets – 137

Best Defensive Player
1. Bobeth O’Garro – Quik Cash Storm – 51 steals and 3 blocks
2. Sheneka Moore – Welly’s Cool Spot – 33 blocks and 19 steals
3. Scimone Campbell – Silver Bullets – 40 steals and 3 blocks

Most Improved Player
1. Sheneka Moore – 9 ppg, 14 rpg, 4 blocks per game and finishing 1st in Blocks, 2nd in Rebounds, 2nd place for best defensive player.
2. Letanya Thompson – 10 ppg, 4 rpg,

Regular Season MVP
1. Scimone Campbell – Silver Bullets – 17 ppg, 7 rpg, 5 spg.
2. Theresa Hamil – Esso Blazettes – 19 ppg, 12 rpg
3. Lavern Ebanks – Quik Cash Storm – 17 ppg, 9 rpg, 3 spg

Finals MVP
Merta Day – 22 points, 9 steals, 5 rebounds.

MVP of the Regular season Scimone Campbell in action

Theresa Hamil collect top scorer award from CIBA president Bryan Hunter.