Taylor leads Union Island to basketball title

Steveon Taylor proved to be a cut above the rest, as he almost single-handedly sowed Union Island’s triumph in the Digicel Grenadines Basketball Tournament, which concluded last Saturday night at the Clive Tannis hard court in Bequia.{{more}}

Facing the home team in the finals, Taylor stitched 14 points, as Union Island retained the title, wining 69 to 63. Bequia All Stars’ Orando Blugh also registered 14 points on the night.

It was no surprise that Taylor, a point guard on the St Vincent and the Grenadines senior team, carried away most of the individual awards in the tournament.

He was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player and received the MVP for his team and that of the final, to go along with his accolades of most assists (23), and most steals (23) in six games.

Union Island, on the previous night, recorded a 128-54 thumping of Mayreau Kings, with Taylor pouring in 24 points and taking 10 rebounds.

Also on the night, Bequia, although stretched by Canouan Islanders, won 70-66. Bequia’s scoring was led by Keithroy Lavia, who had 17 points, like Damian Harry of the Islanders team.

Canouan Islanders went on to take the third place, beating Mayreau Kings 82-73.

The Canouan Islanders captain Damian Harry was adjudged his team’s MVP, as well as the trophy for most points, having scored 147 in six games.

Bequia All Stars’ centre Orando Blugh, received his team’s MVP and Warrican Myers of Canouan was awarded for most blocks (8) and most rebounds (83).

Owen Isaacs of Mayreau was named his team’s most valuable player.

Sabrina Mitchell, president of the Bequia Association, who spoke at the closing ceremony, thanked the sponsors and administrators Rohan Henry and Roseman Adams and their support team of Danis Coy, Philmon Taylor and Seymour La Borde.

Mitchell specifically expressed gratitude to Canouan for their efforts to help fund their way.

Referring to the tournament as “very expensive,” Mitchell listed the cost of the boat transportation and house rental for some 80 persons over a two and a half week time period.

She also challenged the other Grenadines islands’ associations to develop their Under-15 players, as Bequia has done in the past 10 years to ensure sustainability of basketball in the Grenadines, but also with the hope of having an Under-15 Grenadines youth championship in the not too distant future.

The Grenadines tournament started in 2003, but had a lull, until its resuscitation last year. (RT)