The Virgin Gorda Bayside Blazers emerged victorious in the championship game against Aruba, clinching the title in the Ninth Annual Battle of the Fittest (BOTF) Basketball Tournament.
The Blazers secured their win with a final score of 74 to 61, earning a cash prize of $10,000 and championship rings.
Leading the charge for the Bayside Blazers was Ahkeel Boyd, who was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the tournament.
Boyd’s stellar performance, including 17 points in the final game, was instrumental in the team’s success. Top scorers Anthony Smith and Raheem Carter each contributed 19 points, while Kimani Stevens added 11 points and delivered an outstanding defensive performance.
The championship game, held at the LB Scott Sports Auditorium in Philipsburg, saw the Blazers dominate Aruba, leading in every quarter with margins ranging from 6 to 23 points. Team Manager Julian Willock attributed the victory to the team’s focus, discipline, and adherence to the rules. “Capturing this title was a result of the team staying focused, disciplined, being team players and we played by the rules,” Willock wrote on his Facebook page.
This year’s triumph marks back-to-back wins for teams from the Virgin Islands in the BOTF Tournament, with Tortola’s Skillful Ballers winning the previous year. The tournament featured participation from ten Caribbean islands and the USA, showcasing high-level basketball talent across the region.
In a surprising turn of events, Tortola’s Skillful Ballers, who were slated for a third-place finish, protested their standing and refused to play, thereby forfeiting the game to St. Maarten. The Skillful Ballers are coached by Ronald Simmons, also known as ‘Gola’.
The VG Bayside Blazers were coached by Brian Brewley, known as ‘Bash’, with Derrick Varlack serving as Assistant Coach, Trevor Stevens, aka ‘West’, as Team Trainer, and Eustance Freeman, aka ‘Boss’, as Team Secretary/Scorer.
