Inter–Ward Basketball Championship opens tonight

May 09, 2009 Sports

– Defending champs, North battle in game one

Darcel Harris

By Edison Jefford
The hype surrounding the return of the Inter-Ward Basketball Championships will climax tonight when defending champions, North Ruimveldt look to send a strong message to its opponents in the opening game, Republic Park.
Captain of the North Ruimveldt unit, Darcel Harris told Kaieteur Sport yesterday that the team will take each game on its merit without underestimating opponents. Harris said that the team was carefully put together for that reason.

Quincy Jones

“We are taking it game by game because we don’t know who will be our opposition. We can’t take anyone lightly,” Harris stated. The national point guard’s comment was made in the context of the usual trend of talent in the contest.
“The Inter–Ward usually brings out all the new talent. In fact, that is what I used to break out because usually, you can do what you want,” Harris told this newspaper, adding that a consecutive title is definitely in focus for the team.
With the new rule of one guest player, North went for Linden’s Wismar Pistons’ All–star forward, Quincy Jones, who will add the necessary versatility to the team. Ryan Stephney and Damian Liverpool are other stars on the team.
Kaieteur Sport attempted to reach a contact person for the Republic Park/Mocha team but that proved futile. However, with $500,000 on the line for the winner of the competition, all the teams will be looking to appear at full strength.
The opening night’s proceedings are expected to feature the march–past of teams in fully sponsored uniforms bearing the sponsors’ logos while basketball’s leading officials will be in attendance to take the necessary oath.
White Castle Fish Shop has sponsored the first place trophy. Second place takes home a Humphrey Bakery–sponsored trophy and $300,000 while third place gets $100,000 and a Curtains and Drapes Designs trophy.
The fourth place finisher will receive $50,000 and a Kevin Reflections trophy. Fusion Audio will be in the house at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall to entertain enthusiast. Each game starts at 7pm sharp on game nights.
The second game of tonight’s double–header will feature immediate past runner–ups, Lodge/Meadowbrook against McDoom/Houston. The first round of the competition will be on the basis of a knockout, ‘win–or–go–home’ system.
Organiser, Robert ‘Bobby’ Cadogan told this newspaper yesterday that the tournament is ‘set to jump off’ and that ‘all systems are in place’ for a spectacular event. GT&T and HJTV are other major sponsors of the 2009 competition.