Ravens Basketball Club emerged as champions of the Guyana Basketball Federation (GBF) Independence 3×3 Club Championship on Sunday last, capping an unbeaten campaign with a commanding victory in the final at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.
The tournament, which was fully sponsored by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, attracted nine clubs from Linden, Berbice and Georgetown, all vying for more than G$600,000 in cash prizes as part of Guyana’s 60th Independence Anniversary celebrations.
Led by an outstanding team effort throughout the day, Ravens defeated Eagles 21-14 in the championship game to claim the top prize of G$300,000.
Eagles, who battled their way into the final, received G$200,000 for finishing runners-up, while Victory Valley Royals collected G$100,000 after placing third.
Ravens were dominant from start to finish and completed the tournament without suffering a defeat. Their journey to the final included a comfortable 21-12 semi-final victory over Linden’s Block 22 Flames.
The championship-winning squad featured Nikkoloi Smith, Dominic Vincente, Jude Corlette and Alroy Nurse.
Smith was particularly influential throughout the tournament, finishing with a tournament-best 47 points across six games. His consistency and leadership earned him the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award.
While Smith provided the scoring punch throughout the competition, Vincente delivered when it mattered most.
The sharpshooter produced a sensational shooting display in the final, helping Ravens pull away from Eagles and seal the title.
Eagles, meanwhile, reached the championship game after surviving what many considered the most thrilling contest of the tournament.
Facing Victory Valley Royals in the semi-finals, Eagles prevailed 21-19 in overtime after the teams ended regulation deadlocked at 19 points apiece.
With the contest hanging in the balance, Michael Turner stepped up to deliver the decisive basket, knocking down a walk-off two-point shot to end the game.
Under FIBA 3×3 rules, the first team to score two points during overtime is declared the winner, making Turner’s effort a dramatic conclusion to an entertaining encounter.
Despite the heartbreak of missing out on the final, Victory Valley Royals left the competition with their heads held high after claiming third place and the accompanying cash prize.
The championship showcased the continued growth and popularity of the 3×3 format in Guyana, with clubs from across the country displaying skill, athleticism and competitiveness throughout the one-day event.
Assistant Director of Sport Franklin Wilson, who was present for the competition and assisted with the distribution of prizes, praised the athletes for delivering an exciting spectacle for basketball fans.
Wilson highlighted the Government of Guyana’s ongoing commitment to the development of basketball, noting that both the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport and the National Sports Commission (NSC) have consistently supported the 3×3 discipline.
According to Wilson, the format has become an important part of the country’s basketball landscape and was therefore included among the month-long sporting activities commemorating Guyana’s 60th Independence Anniversary.
GBF Vice-President Rawle Toney, who coordinated the tournament, also expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport and the NSC for their support.
Toney explained that the decision to stage the event as a club championship was deliberate, with the aim of encouraging greater participation in the 3×3 format at the club level across the various basketball sub-associations.
He noted that strengthening club involvement would help expand opportunities for players and contribute to the overall development of the discipline nationwide.
In addition to the top-performing teams, the tournament also featured Amelia’s Ward Jets of Linden, Georgetown-based Pacesetters, the South American Youth Games team, Berbice and Retrieve Raiders of Linden.
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