The fifth edition of the Basketball Fiesta took place from July 12-14 at the National Cycling Centre in Balmain, Couva, with SPARTANS TT and Royalty Basketball Academy emerging victorious in five categories. Over 500 young basketball players from across Trinidad and Tobago participated in the event, showcasing their skills in age groups ranging from Under-11 to Under-19.
The tournament featured 16 clubs with 65 teams competing for titles in their respective categories. Two courts were set up inside the velodrome, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of an international event. The games were also live-streamed on YouTube, adding to the excitement of the competition. One of the highlights of the event was the championship rings awarded to the Under-19 boys and Under-19 girls champions, a first in the tournament’s history.
Director of the fiesta Garvin Warwick expressed his satisfaction with the quality of the tournament, saying, “We wanted to bring an international standard and continue to raise the bar for Basketball Fiesta, and this year we did just that.”
In the various categories, Jakeem King led Royalty to victory in the Under-11 boys division, while Maloney Pacers emerged victorious in the Under-13 boys category. Royalty claimed the title in the Under-15 girls division, with MVP Kalema Sookram shining on the court.
The Under-15 boys finals saw Spartans defeating Maloney Pacers, thanks to MVP Zachary Julien’s exceptional defense. Spartans continued their winning streak in the Under-17 boys category, securing their second title of the weekend. In the Under-19 girls division, Club Enterprise emerged victorious, led by MVP Mya Raymond.
In the main event, Spartans clinched their third title in the Under-19 boys division, with MVP Jermilco Wartes leading the team to victory over New Chapter Academy. The tournament was a thrilling showcase of talent and determination, setting a high standard for future Basketball Fiesta events.
