A tribute to the trailblazers, the inaugural Caricom championship 1981 in Guyana

Jun 24, 2014 Sports

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Statistician Charwayne Walker salutes the stars of the first Caricom Basketball Championship, highlighting the outstanding

performances of over 30 years ago event as the local team seeks Guyana’s first men’s title.
Thirty three years ago, August 1981, Guyana hosted the inaugural Caricom Basketball Championship. Seven countries participated; host Guyana, Jamaica, Barbados, Trinidad, Suriname, Antigua and Barbuda and Dominica.
Jamaica emerged as inaugural champs defeating Trinidad and Tobago in the finals 93 to 79.  The tournament was declared open by then Deputy Caricom Secretary General Jamaican Roderick Rainford and Guyana Minister of Sports the late Roy Federicks.  Star players for the Champions were centre Wayne Sappleton, John Bailey and Junior Foster, while the Trinidadians depended on tournament favourite Brian John, who had the highest aggregate, centre Victor Voot O’Garro and Lennox Sobers.  Outstanding for Barbados were Malcolm Stanton, Michael Chase and Malcolm Best.
The Guyanese top performers were the late Stanislaus Hadmon, Orin Cumberbatch, Skipper Hewley Harry and James Brushe.  Wayne Harris was the star for Antigua and Barbuda, while Dominica depended on Oliver Burton and Lennox Jervier.  Suriname heroes were Frank Menke and Dennis Spier.
This is how it unfolded 33 years ago at Guyana Premeire Hoop Venue. Game No. One Guyana destroyed Dominica 93 to 53; Stanislaus Hadmon 24 pts, Orin Cumberbatch 14 pts, while for Dominica Oliver Burton 14 pts.
Game No. Two Jamaica beat Suriname 73 to 70, John Bailey 16 pts, Wayne Sappleton 14 pts, Dennis Thompson 12 pts.  For Suriname Frank Menke 17 pts, Pang-A-Tyor 12 pts.
Game No. Three Trinidad humbled Suriname 111to 99; Brian John scored a tournament high 40 pts, Victor O’Garro 27 pts.  For Suriname Lucien Blanker scored 29 pts, Jerry Beaggraat 10 pts, Denis Spier 14 pts.
Game No. Four Barbados defeated Antigua 94 to 84; for Barbados Malcolm Stanton 24 pts, Dennis Osbourne 19 pts.  For Antigua Noel Roberts scored 26 pts, Wally Abbott 12 pts.
Game No. Five Guyana beat Antigua 86 to 75; Stanislaus Hadmon 24 pts, Compton Hinds 14 pts, Orin Cumberbatch 14 pts, Skipper Hewley Harry 12 pts.  For Antigua Wayne Harris scored 27 pts, Mark Christian 16 pts.
Game NO. 6 Jamaica beat Trinidad 92 to 84; for Jamaica Wayne Sappleton scored 34 pts, John Bailey 18 pts, Dennis Thompson 18 pts.  For Trinidad Lennox Sobers had 29 pts, Brian John 21 pts, Victor O’ Garlo 15 pts.

Game No. 7 Guyana lost to Barbados 75 to 58; Stanislaus Hadmon 17 pts, Hewley Harry 9 pts, Compton Hinds 8 pts. For Barbados Michael Chase scored 18 pts, Malcolm Stanton 15 pts, Roger Manderville 10 pts.
Game No. 8 Antigua beat Dominica 88 to 65; Wayne Harris top scored for Antigua with 23 pts, Carie Knight 16 pts; for Dominica Oliver Burton scored 16 pts, Bernard Thomas 12 pts, Irvine Williams 10 pts.
Game No. 9 Barbados and Dominica tie 77 All. The tie came about after Barbados officials protested against a ruling made by Guyanese Referee Winston Devonish Devonish disallowed a point with both teams deadlocked at 69 All.  For Dominica Lennox Jervier scored 19 pts, Bernard Thomas 18 pts, Oliver Burton 11 pts. For Barbados Malcolm Best scored 15 pts, Dennis Osbourne 14 pts, Michael Chase 12, Roger Manderville 11 pts, Malcolm Stanton 9 pts.
Game No. 10, Semi Finals, Jamaica beat Guyana 81 to 68; for the Reggae boys Centre Wayne Sappleton scored 26 pts, John Bailey 20 pts. For Guyana Stanislaus Hadmon 22 pts, James Brusche 12 pts, Skipper Hewley Harry 14 pts, Keith Alexander 9 pts.
Game No. 11 Trinidad beat Barbados 104 to 80; for Trinidad Brian John scored 22 pts, Lennox Sobers 22 pts, Victor O’Garro 20 pts.  For Barbados Michael Chase top scored with a game high 26 pts, Malcolm Stanton 14 pts, Malcolm best 10 pts.
Game No. 12 Guyana edged Barbados 79 to 76 to take Bronze Medal; for Guyana Stanislaus Hadmon 34 pts, George Sharples 18 pts. For Barbados Michael Chase scored 17 pts, Malcolm best 13 pts, Malcolm Stanton 10 pts.
Game No. 13 Suriname blew out Antigua & Barbuda 109 to 67; for Suriname Lucian Blanker had a game high 26 pts, Jerry Beaggraat 16 pts, Jerry Straal 15 pts, Izaak Campbell 14 pts.  For Antigua & Barbuda Wayne Harris scored 10 pts, E. Thomas 9 pts, Mark Christian 8 pts, L. Clarke 8 pts.
Game No. 14 Jamaica beat Trinidad 93 to 79 in finals; for Jamaica Centre Wayne Sappleton scored 19 pts, John Bailey 17 pts, Richard McGhee 13 pts.  For Trinidad Brian John had a game high 27 pts, Lennox Sobers 18 pts, Victor O’Garro 8 pts.
Before the start of the finals both teams were introduced to then Caricom Secretary General Dr. Kurleigh King and his wife.  After the tournament the first Caricom All Star Team was selected comprising the following players:
Hewley Harry    – Guyana
Stanislaus Hadmon – Guyana
James Brusche – Guyana
Lennox Sobers – Trinidad
Brian John – Trinidad
Victor O’ Garro – Trinidad
Wayne Harris – Antigua & Barbuda
Frank Menke – Suriname
Dennis Spier – Suriname
Wayne Sappleton – Jamaica
John Bailey – Jamaica
Junior Foster – Jamaica
Malcolm Stanton – Barbados
Michael Chase – Barbados
Lennox Jervier – Dominica
The historic Guyana 1981 Caricom championship team:
Hewley Harry – Captain Eagles
Stanislaus Hadmon – deceased Eagles
Orin Cumberbatch – Eagles
Eon Andrews – Ravens
George Sharples – Ravens
Suchubert Cappell deceased – D.Y.C
Mark Agard – Pacesetters
Brentnol Carmichael – Pacesetters
Compton Hinds – Celtics
James Brusche – Y.M.C.A Kings
Royston Telford – Yellow Birds
Keith Alexander – 76 ERS
Mike Brusche – Coach

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