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Was Aubrey Chalmers the only teenager at the 1973 Central American b/ball C/ship
Statistician Charwayne Walker continues his features on basketball players who represented Guyana with distinction. Today we look at Aubrey Chalmers.
A former member of Christ Church Secondary School where the legendary Hewley Harry taught, Aubrey Charlie Chalmers entry to the Sport of Basketball was inevitable. He became a member of the Black Birds at 17. The guidance he received from Hewley Henry made him a Senior National player at 19.
Aubrey Chalmers
Chalmers first Senior International tour after his apprenticeship with the National under-19 team in Suriname in 1972 was Paramaribo May 1973 for a Goodwill series involving host Suriname Senior and Junior teams and Holland All Stars. His next International engagement was the Central American championship September 1973 in Puerto Rico. The 19-year old warmed up for that tournament against Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados respectively at the Raymond Reid Centre in Port of Spain and the YMCA Hard Court in Bridgetown.
Young Chalmers found the going tough in San Juan as the land of many waters competed with Mexico, El Salvador, Panama, Venezuela and Cuba.
The following year May 1974, Guyana hosted Barbados Senior National Team for two matches at parade ground under lights. Chalmers top scored with 18 pts in the opening victory and also reached double figures when Guyana wrapped up the series two Nil.
He was an integral part of Mike Brusche arsenal when the series shifted to Bridgetown in November of 1974 but on that occasion the Parade Ground Ballers succumbed to the host 2 – Nil. Chalmers returned to the Central American championship Arena in May 1975, this time in the Dominican Republic, unlike the 1973 tournament in Puerto Rico where he failed to score in double figures, this time he had scores of 13 pts vs Haiti, Guyana’s only victory, 10 pts vs Puerto Rico, 14 pts vs Suriname and 9 pts vs El Salvador.
His next international assignment was against the Chinese provincial team November 1975. That series was historical as it was the First International Basketball event at the National Sports Hall. He had only one score of note when Guyana hosted the Caribbean championship February 1976 at the National Sports Hall. Chalmers’ 16 pts against Barbados in Guyana’s opening win was his only double figure score in the three-Nation Championship.
The Raven’s Guard returned to form by top scoring for Guyana in both matches the National Team lost to American professional team Buffalo All Stars in June 1976 at the National Sports Hall. The Mighty Cubans visited the land of many waters in May 1977 for three International matches against the National Team.
The Regional Power House won all three games as Aubrey Chalmers top scored for Guyana with 14 pts in the opening loss. He also had an outstanding game in the second thriller, which Castro’s men won by two points 74 to 72. He top scored again for Guyana in the final game when Mike Brusche men succumbed 58 to 54.
His International career continued the following year 1978 with matches for Guyana against Suriname’s National Club champions, Caribbean little Devils and Canada’s YMCA Montreal, both series were contested at the National Sports Hall. In November of the same year he went to Barbados under the guidance of his mentor Hewley Harry, the occasion was the host Independence Anniversary tournament which also involved Trinidad and Tobago.
In 1979 February he was Guyana’s leading scorer in four internationals which the National team lost 3 games to one to Trinidad and Tobago at the National Sports Hall. Chalmers last International tour in Senior National Colours was to Trinidad and Tobago in September 1980 for a Goodwill triangular series also involving Barbados.
The 1980 National team to Trinidad and Tobago was Hewley Harry (Captain Eagles), Aubrey Chalmers (Ravens), James Brusche (YMCA Kings), Eon Andrews (Ravens), George Sharples (Ravens), Compton Hinds (Celtics), Orin Cumberbatch (Eagles), Stanislaus Hadmon (Eagles), Royston Telford (Yellow Birds), Merton Fitzalbert (Eagles), Keith Alexander (76ers), Brentnol Carmichael (Pacesetters), Mike Brusche (Coach) and Rudolph Gomes (Manager).
International Debut 1973 vs Suriname; International tours – 1972 Suriname, 1973 Suriname, Trinidad, Barbados, Puerto Rico; 1974 Barbados, 1975 Dominican Republic, 1978 Barbados and 1980 Trinidad.
Career High 18 pts vs Bufalo All Stars National Sports Hall 1976.
(Charwayne Walker)
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