In a thrilling comeback, the Virgin Gorda Bayside Blazers secured their spot in the championship of the 2024 Battle of the Fittest (BOTF) Tournament with a nail-biting one-point victory over St. Kitts.
The game, held at the LB Scott Sports Auditorium on Wednesday, saw the Blazers overcome a 17-point deficit to win 55-54, marking their third win in the tournament.
The Blazers, coached by Brian Brewley, affectionately known as ‘Bash,’ faced a tough challenge as they played their fourth consecutive game. Despite a sluggish start, the team rallied in the second half, demonstrating resilience and determination. Raheem Carter led the scoring for the Blazers with 19 points, supported by BVI superstar Norville ‘Banana’ Carey with 14 points and Virgin Gordian Kimani T. Stevens contributing 7 points.
The victory came after a disappointing defeat against the home team, St. Maarten, on Tuesday. However, the Blazers’ performance against St. Kitts highlighted their ability to bounce back under pressure.
In another exciting match, the BVI’s Skillful Ballers, representing Tortola and coached by Rodney ‘Gola’ Simmons, triumphed over Haiti with a score of 65-60 on July 16, 2024. This victory added to the BVI’s strong showing in the tournament.
With the win over St. Kitts, the VG Bayside Blazers have advanced to the championship game from their bracket. The final showdown is scheduled for Saturday, July 20, 2024, where the winner will take it all.