Was Don Fletcher’s talent overshadowed because of the brilliance of Wyles and Semple?

Apr 21, 2013 Sports

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Statistician Charwayne Walker continues his look at notable sporting personalities who served Guyana at both domestic and international levels with distinction.
This week he looks at basketballer Don Fletcher.
Playing for the same club that included Gregory Wyles and Sean Semple, Queens College golden Boy Don Fletcher had no choice but to emulate his two more illustrious teammates.
After watching Wyles and Semple played at the International Level for the first time in December 1989 against Barbados at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, the flamboyant Fletcher was determined to become Eagles and Mike Brusche’s next National Player.
His first step to National colours started when he was selected with Wyles and Semple in a strong Georgetown Under-23 team for the (1990) Inter Sub Association tournament, which Georgetown won handsomely.
Although Eagles won the (1990) Mayor and City Council Division one tournament the players were confined to Inter-ward and Senior Inter Sub Association tournaments as the GABF failed to send the national Team to the Caricom Championship in Trinidad, so young Fletcher’s Quest to join his teammates in National Colours was further delayed.
The following year (1991), Guyana returned to the Caricom Championship but after some outstanding performances for his club Eagles at the first division level, Georgetown at the Inter Sub Association Level, the only Eagles players in Mike Brusche’s Squad for the Jamaica Tournament were Gregory Wyles, Sean Semple and Nigel Taitt, the disappointed Fletcher was placed along with Ricky Bakker, Troy Chin, Edgar (Bol) Thomas and Roy Jeffrey on the reserves list.
After Guyana’s dismal performance at the July Caricom Championship in Jamaica, the National Selectors rested Skipper Leon Christian, Mark Agard and Robert Byass for a Goodwill tour of Suriname with the main aim of exposing young players, but the name Don Fletcher again was excluded.
An individual, who believes that failure is not a cause for disappointment but rather an incentive for improvement, was finally recognized by the National selectors and was included in the National President X1 Squad for Guyana toughest Assignment in August of (1992) against German Professional Club TTL Bomery, the first professional European team to ever visit the land of the Mighty Kaieteur Falls.
The visitors lineup included two players who represented Germany at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, Kai Numberger and Mike Jackel, two former NBA players; Greg Butler and
Clarence Svaderenger and 7 foot 4 inch Centre Arne Alig.  Although Fletcher and Guyana were out played in the series by more superior opponents he finally joined teammates Semple and Wyles in National colours.
The following year (1993) the GABF decided not to participate at the Caricom Championship in Barbados but instead accepted an invitation from the Barbados Basketball Federation to host their national team for a Goodwill three match series as the Bajan Ballers prepared for the Caricom Championship in Bridgetown.
The GABF obliged, but Don Fletcher failed to find favour with the National Selectors and had to watch his mentors Wyles and Semple again from the stands.
The same trend continued in the next International Series involving Suriname and Washington based DC Jammers as the so called Selectors gave National Debuts to Linden’s Ian Kendall and Kerwin LaFargue.
It took the intervention of Guyana first overseas Coach, Erik Rashaad, who included Fletcher for his first overseas assignment in Senior National Colours.
The Eagles Small forward was part of Rashaad 17 man Squad that traveled to Barbados for three friendly International Goodwill matches as both teams prepared for the 1994 Caricom Championship in Guyana.
Fletcher’s Debut overseas Tour was blighted by biased officiating by the Bajan referees resulting in Coach Rashaad withdrawing his charges in the final match.
His biggest moment came August 4, 1994, Fletcher was included in Rashaad 14 man squad as Guyana sought its first Caricom Championship title.
The Land of many waters reached the finals for the first time but succumbed to Barbados.
Although Fletcher was not a prolific scorer, his defence and contribution in the locker room proved invaluable.
He along with club mate Sean Semple and Raven’s Edgar (Bol) Thomas were recommended to Dillard University for Basketball Scholarships, but Fletcher declined because of his studies at the University of the West Indies Campus, St. Augustine.
His studies at UWI ruled him out of the1995 Caricom Championship in the Bahamas.
He was the only Eagles disciple when Guyana placed fourth at the (1996) Caricom Championship in Trinidad & Tobago.
Strange enough this was the last time the St. Andrew’s Parish born Fletcher ever represented the land of the Mighty Kaieteur Falls.
Basketball fans in Guyana are still talking about Fletcher’s dunk against the National team in a warm up match 1991 at the National Sports Hall.
International Debut 1992 vs Germany’s TTL Bomery at Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.
International matches: 26
Caricom Championship matches: 14
Career High 12 pts vs D.C Jammers
Sports Hall 1996
International Tours: Barbados 1994
Trinidad & Tobago 1996
Brother of Guyana 1992 Olympian Nujuma Fletcher

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