2016 BABA: Top Players reap rewards

The 2016 Barbados Amateur Basketball Association Premier Season was a competitive one and those whose achievements stood out were awarded at a ceremony held at their sponsor’s – Co-operators General Insurance – headquarters.

Barbados national player Akeem Marsh was the only player to receive two awards for the season as he walked away with the League’s Most Valuable Player and Best Offensive Player awards for the Urban Vybz St. John Sonics. The Playoffs Most Valuable Player honours was awarded to Jeremy Gill who is also the point guard for the national team. His team, Orange 3 Pinelands were the League Champions and finally received their well-earned trophy after defeating the Station Hill Cavaliers in the finals
series last year, 3-1.

Station Hill Cavaliers were runners-up in the League but had already won the Knock Out title earlier in the year. Their Coach, Adrian Craigwell was named Premier Division Coach of the Year for that title and for the 6-0 perfect start to the League campaign just after. Kregg Jones of the Barbados Lumber Company Lakers earned his stripes as the Best Defensive Player for the 2016 season, while the Hilton Resort Warriors’ Jamar Headley’s inspiring performance warranted the Most Improved Player award.

For the First Division, the Pan American International Insurance Warrens Sports Club received their trophy for winning the Knock-Out title. For the League, the debut team Hawks, were given the trophy for their outstanding performance in winning the League title in their first year of competition. Captain and Player/Coach Tremaine Shaw earned his Most Valuable Player accolade for leading the side to glory.

The Executive Air Dover Chargers were the runners-up and Coach John Ackee was deemed the Coach of the Year after leading the team over the perfect Pan American International Insurance WSC in the semi-finals and the fight given in the finals.

Surprise exodus from Defending League Champions
This year the Premier season is looking to have a few surprises with some unofficial transfers occurring. Charles Vanderpool and Ramon Simmons have seemingly left the defending champions Pinelands for new scenery at the St. John Sonics.

The Pine have gained Manuel Alleng from Warrens Sports Club, however which was a big loss to Warrens as Alleng is known for his spirited play on both the offensive and defensive ends of the court.

Warrens also loses Jamar King to Sonics and Adrian Allman to the Lakers. Unless former national players Peter Alleyne, Kevin Austin, Pearson Griffith and Zahir Motara decide to play in Premier instead of First Division like last year, it will be another rough year for Warrens having not made the playoffs last year.

Warriors and Station Hill remain mostly the same as last year and it is still to be seen who will be playing for the Lakers and Combined Schools Tridents. (AS)