Rhonda John-Davis stole the show on Sunday night to pilot Police to the first-ever title in the Female Basketball Action (Fem BA) League at the Eastern Regional Indoor Sports Arena in Tacarigua.
She produced 22 points to help the police officers defeat Brian Chase Academy, 68-46 in the six-team competition, picking up the $6,000 first place prize. Brian Chase had to settle for $3,000 as the runners-up and Quarters United Youth Club finished third, collecting $1,000 after Maloney Pacers forfeited its match in the third place playoffs.
“It was a great feeling to win this competition. We haven’t played basketball in so long to coming from playing zero basketball to two weeks, the competition was a lot but it felt really good to win and that’s what being a part of developing young players I felt it was a very good initiative and it’s just a real good feeling overall,” said John-Davis.
The forward also grabbed four rebounds, shared the ball four times, had three steals and a block in the final, helping her earn the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award at the prize distribution function, which followed soon after.
“Winning the MVP was really good feeling as well. My teammate and I really came together and supported each other and it was about that victory which was the most important for us and we made it happen so I feel good and I feel honoured to be the most valuable player of this auspicious league,” said John-Davis.
She was well supported offensively by shooting guard Joelisa Cooper, who netted 16 and forward Kemba Duncan with eight. Duncan was later named the best defensive player.
Police, the reigning North Zone champion, was able to get revenge on Brian Chase, who had beaten them 63-32 in the early round of the two-week tournament.
For Brian Chase, post player Allison Young stepped up as she has done throughout the tournament and scored a team-high 19 points. Point guards Nyota Saldenha and Stephanie Issac aided her as well with 13 and seven, respectively, but it was too much to overcome after trailing 33-23 at the half.
Young was later honoured, emerging the leading scorer with a total of 122 points. In other individual awards presented Fendi Phillip of Police got recognised as the best Under-16 player, she ended with a tally of 32 points and her coach Ashton Peters got the prize for “Coach of the League”.
Vice-president Alicia Cumberbatch, who also played in the league but her participation ended prematurely after injuring her knee during a match against Pacers in the preliminary round, was quited pleased with the inaugural women’s competition.
She said, “The league was a success. We, the committee members of Fem BA, accomplished one of our visions when it came to the two-week female league, which is exposure and the rebirth of female basketball for both the youth and senior players,” said Cumberbatch, who said it was beyond what they anticipated.
“Actually, it was more than what we expected. Especially when it came to the basketball supporters, we also appreciate the support from some of our local male basketball players who took time to view our games.”
On Saturday, the league hosted an All Star match-up among the outstanding players in the league and a three-point shooting competition. Breanna Charles of Quarters won the three-point shootout.
The teams in the competitive clash were named after two of the top teams in the WNBA and the LA Sparks, which was led by eventual All Star MVP Young, scoring 24 points, pulled down 14 rebounds, had two blockshots and four assists, defeated Minnesota Lynx, 61-55.
At the closing ceremony, Cumberbatch expressed her wish for the competition to continue next year for the betterment of women’s basketball and thanked the sponsors, which included Dolly and Associates, Liqui Moly, Haynes Plumbing 1990 LTD, Diego Martin Regional Corporation, Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs, Beyond Accessories Limited and Joes Pizza Limited, for their support.
“Our two-week league has made us aware of our youth talent in T&T. We saw alot of great potential, athleticism, love and passion for basketball from each individual. Fem BA gives them a greater reason to train and prepare for a league which can expose them to their future basketball career.