The now popular BABA U21 competition have started.  A total of ten teams will be taking part.  The teams are, last years Champions Lakers, DC United, Clapham Bulls, Station Hill Cavaliers, Senators, Warriors, Patriots , Checker Hall Braves and this year for the first time a non club team Holford Academy.  The format remain as it was last year with the teams playing a round robin and the top four teams playing in a playoff.

 Why Holford Academy?  Is a question I would love answered.  This competition designed for clubs taking part in the BABA competitions.  The concept was to encourage the clubs to recruit the young players rejected by the schoolboys and youngsters who started playing after they left school to have a chance to play among the elite in their age group.  That is why the players of the combine schools are playing playing for other clubs. 

I hope this  competition is as enjoyable as that of 2008 and that more teams benefit from it as it seems this could be its finale.

                      Braves Team  from left to right. Standing Hanif Charles, Jamal ScantleBury,  Capt Jamal Thompson and Shamar Linton.

                        Sitting Demario Prescod left and Cleo Hurley. Missing are Dario Griffith, Alair Beckles and Tevin

                                                                                               SHAMAR

BRAVES  VS  BELFIELD…..TUES 18 AUGUST 2009…..AT  BELFIELD …..7.30PM.

BRAVES VS CLAPHAM BULLS…..SUN 30 AUGUST 2009 …..AT BCC……6.OOPM

Braves welcomes Dario Griffith to the team. He is 20 years and is from Maynards  St Peter.  Dario was a student of the Alexandra and the BCC.  He will be attending the UWI from September. He played for Alexandra bball team from 2004 to 2006, Baseliners from 2005 to 2007  and Patriots U21 team in 2008.  An Injury kept him from playing bball this year but he is fully recovered and looking forward to playing a role in this team.

Welcome Dario. I hope you enjoy your game.

                                                                                         JAMAL THOMPSON

 Jamal Thompson has been elected Captain of the Braves U21 youth team for 2009.

Although this is first elected post his position of point guard in the team gives him the experience that will help him at the helm.  He has been their court leader for the past two years and he is highly respected by the team.  With Cleo Hurley joining the team the pressure of being the only ball handler will allow him to get more involved in the team offense.

Congratulations and good luck ‘Mouse’.

This years team features a few new faces. From the May hill team we have Jamal Jack Scantlebury and Cleo Hurley. Back from the Cougars Club is Jamal Thompson,  The debutantes are Shamar Linton and Hanif ‘Soup’ Charles. The only player from the last team is Demario “dough” Prescod. Following is a short note on the individual players

#4    Shamar Linton…..17 years old.  From Cave Hill, St Lucy.  Student of the Seventh Day Adventist School. This is his first competition and Club experience.

#5   Cleo Hurley…..19 years old.  From Maynards, St Peter.  Played bball for St Lucy Secondary and currently plays for Mayhill intermediate team.

#7   Hanif Charles…..19 years old.  From Cave Hill, St Lucy.  Student of the BCC.  This is his first real competition and club experience.

#10   Demario Prescod.   17 years old.  From Checker Hall, St Lucy.  The only person playing bball who work.  Played for Ellerslie under 16 team and currently plays for Braves division 3 team.

#12   Jamal Thompson…..19 years old.  From Hothersal Turning, St Michael.  Also known as mouse or tractor he was well known in the he school league playing for the Alleyne School a few years ago. He also played for the Cougars division 3 team.  Mouse assisted The young Braves in 2008 and returns to finish what he started.

and #13   Jamal ‘ Jack’ Scantlebury…..19 years old.   From Maynards, St Peter.   Played for St Lucy Secondary School and is currently playing  for Mayhill intermediate team.

This is an opportunity for the players to develop their skills and learn more about the game and about themselves.  Friendships will be made and solidified.  They will also see what the other teams are doing and have the chance to match skills and abilities.

I would like to thank the players who have come to help us and i hope that they enjoy the experience and have lots of fun and return to their respective Clubs stronger and better players.

Thank you and  God bless.

The U21 practice sessions will begin on Wednesday June 17. at 7.30 pm at Checker Hall.
Once again The Checker Hall team will be made up of players under 21 from the Braves club and from the Cougars team. In addition there will be players from May hill team joining for the first time.
I hope they enjoy this season as much as they enjoyed the 2008 season. Good luck men.

Fri 19 June at Gully Hill 6.30pm vs Yank Team Todd City United.

Sun 21 June at Culloden Road 6.30pm vs Grazettes Nets

It is really quite remarkable that Braves continues to get a team to enter the BABA competition every year.  It is testament to the resilience of Adrian Brome and the wonderful group of young men that make up the club.  Every year some issue occurs that threaten the resolve of the club and yet the club continue on.  This year was no different.  I can safely say that every week one or two issues come up and they are dealt with.  People are offended sometimes by the manner some issues are dealt with and some by the fact they are the focus of the issue but it never seems to melt the bond that is Checker Hall Braves.
This year the team learned of the news that one of our most respected and inspirational players will not be in a Arawak Braves uniform  this season.  This caused some disappointment because of the fact that no actual reason was given and i guess everyone was wondering if it was something they did.  He did discuss the possibility of his leaving with the Coach two weeks before.   It  still took a couple of weeks, a few practice games for them to realize that for what ever reason he choose not to play and to respect his decision and move on.  Everyone agrees that he is still or brother and he needs our support.
This hurdle being crossed a number of players have stepped up their play.  Corey Graham, Demario Prescod, Alair Beckles, Jason Jordan and Ron Taitt have already shown great improvement.  Jason and Ron have had to share the point guard position in two of the four games because of injury to Roland Fields and have been doing a fantastic job.  Demario’s game has step up more than his attitude which still needs some work but he is fitting in offensively and is now paying some attention to his defence.  Corey Graham’s shooting is coming to the fore and Alair Beckles is working on his finishing the fast breaks and they just needs to play more.
It is hard to replace Shane because he was the heart of the Coaches strategy. He depended on him heavily.  He was a team all in one.  He was my 1,2,3,4, and 5  and was the birdie in my ear.  However Andrew and Leacock are attempting to play his role with some success.  So far they get the coach thumbs up.  Adrian took one game and a half to realize that Shane is no longer on the court with him and has now adjusted his role to suite the present cast.  Bovell has taken up the offensive lead and is very active on the defensive end working very hard and Andi Daniel is looking solid he just has to adjust his shot slightly because as the season goes on he has to relieve Adrian more.  Chadd has work commitments and has not been able to get a game yet while Hanif and Darrin are experiencing subs issues.
There is generally a positive energy coming from the court and i detect a genuine effort by all to play their roll the best they can.  A Coach ask for anything more. 
The next big game is on Thursday against Todds City ballers.  A game we need to win.  We have faced hard times and set backs before but they only cements or togetherness.  WE ARE THE ARAWAK  BRAVES

                                          IN THE PHOTO THE COACH IS GIVING AN INSPIRATIONAL HALF TIME PEP TALK.

But to be honest do you think all the players here are listening to every word the coach is saying.  I don’t know but i will try to interpret the individual expressions and what was going through each persons mind at the moment the camera went FLASH!!!

Andi ” You believe the coach spit in my face again?”

Adrian ” I wonder when i will get a coach that i can look up to.  He has been a pain in my neck for 15 years. grow up shorty.”

Darrin ” Coach look like a fat elf in that hat.  I wonder if he ever went to xtreeme when he was young.”

Hanif  “Coach alright he there talking bout winning this game but he want me to lose my girl.

Jason ” Hanif  i see that when he start to talk he does make you want to go to the bathroom too.”

Roland ” Every time he open he mouth he does say that i don’t like practice because i don’t like to run. But honestly look at he guts.  I think he need more practice than me.”

Read carefully and then tell me if what you read is true.  I know.  I agree with you.