The Bequia Basketball Association’s annual tournament made history over the weekend, as two young squads claimed memorable championship titles across its newly launched and longstanding youth divisions.
In the tournament’s first-ever U12 Division championship decider, the Grinches turned in a dominant performance to outmatch the Seagulls 20-13 and walk away as the inaugural title holders. The team’s victory was powered by standout forward Zende Lorraine, who earned the Finals Most Valuable Player award after pouring in 10 points — exactly half of his squad’s total score.
The launch of the U12 division has been celebrated as a landmark achievement for this year’s tournament, BBA executive committee members confirmed. Months before the tip-off of the final rounds, the organization hosted a series of youth development camps and targeted training sessions for young aspiring players. In just four weeks following those introductory programs, organizers noted dramatic improvement across all participating teams, with young athletes growing both their fundamental skills and love for the game.
Nurturing the next generation of basketball talent remains a top strategic priority for the BBA, with executive leaders expressing their excitement to watch young competitors build their confidence, refine their techniques, and sustain their passion for the sport in coming seasons. Beyond the championship honors, the association also recognized two standout young contributors for their off-court dedication: Tyrese Browne and Agape Stowe took home the Most Enthusiastic Player awards for their consistent energy, commitment, and positive attitude across both the pre-tournament camps and the main competition.
In the higher-stakes U16 championship decider held Sunday, the underdog Hornets pulled off one of the tournament’s most shocking upsets, holding off the favored Golden Knights 36-30 to claim their first regional championship title in several years. What made the Hornets’ win all the more remarkable was their rocky road to the final: the squad finished at the bottom of the rankings in the first round of play, barely scraping into the knockout stage of the competition. Undeterred by their low seeding, the team mounted a stunning comeback run, taking down the higher-ranked Titans in the semi-finals before upsetting the Golden Knights for the crown.
Hornets head coach Colson Peters attributed the team’s unlikely success to the relentless commitment his players showed throughout the tournament, highlighting the extra voluntary evening practice sessions the squad held to sharpen their game ahead of the knockout rounds. Leading the charge for the Hornets was River Hacksaw, whose standout play across the final earned him the U16 Finals MVP honor.
Even in defeat, the Golden Knights earned recognition for their standout play throughout the tournament, with frontcourt star Jeremy Hunte taking home four individual awards: Most Rebounds, Most Blocks, Team MVP, and Overall Tournament MVP. BBA President Sabppa Mitchell formally thanked the Golden Knights Basketball Club for its ongoing investment in youth basketball development across the Grenadines, praising the organization’s consistent work to nurture emerging local talent.