After five days of high-energy, skill-driven competition between top youth basketball squads from across the Caribbean, the fifth annual Aloysius “Loloy” Daniel Youth Basketball Tournament concluded Friday at Beausejour Gymnasium, capping off a week of standout athletic play from emerging young talent. Trinidad & Tobago’s New Chapter Academy (NCA) Warriors cemented their status as the region’s dominant youth program, wrapping up an undefeated tournament run to claim their fourth consecutive championship title in decisive fashion. The Warriors delivered a lopsided 120-50 win over host side East Coast Academy (ECA) Lions, who claimed third place in the final tournament rankings.
From the opening tipoff, the Trinbagonian squad showcased elite defensive intensity and unselfish team play that defined their campaign throughout the week, finishing the tournament with a perfect 5-0 record. Tournament Most Valuable Player Josiah John-Andrew led the squad’s aggressive swarming defense and sparked high-efficiency fast breaks that put the game out of reach for the host Lions in the first half, setting the tone for the championship blowout.
In other final-day matchups, Antigua & Barbuda’s Pitbulls locked up the second spot on the podium with a commanding 133-27 victory over Saint Lucia’s Basketball For The Future (BFTF) Pitbulls. Guyana’s D-Up Academy closed their tournament campaign on a high note, defeating winless ECA Tigers 71-44 to secure fourth place in the overall final standings.
Following the conclusion of final games, the tournament announced its official All-Tournament Best Starting Five lineup, headlined by MVP Josiah John-Andrew who claimed the point guard spot. John-Andrew was joined on the elite roster by his NCA Warriors teammate Rannan Howard, who took the center position. ECA Lions standout Nyel Joseph earned the shooting guard slot, while Antigua & Barbuda’s dynamic forward pair Jayden Lewis and Yohhan Nicholas rounded out the starting five as small forward and power forward respectively.