The 24th edition of the Annual Bequia Basketball Tournament wrapped up over the weekend with two dramatic championship matches that showcased the rising talent of grassroots basketball across St. Vincent and the Grenadines. In the tournament’s headline 1st Division final, first-time contender Smokin Aces — a roster built mostly around players from Union Island — pulled off an impressive upset against 2024 defending champions East Blazers, securing a 59-48 victory to claim the top title.
East Blazers entered the final as favorites, led by Men’s Senior National Team standout Jermaine John, who anchored the team’s aggressive offense and defense through every quarter of the tight contest. Though John’s squad ultimately fell short of repeating their 2024 win, his individual performance across the entire tournament earned him a haul of personal accolades: he took home honors for Most Points, Most Steals, Team MVP, and the tournament’s Overall MVP.
Smokin Aces brought its own elite national talent to the court, brothers Elton Joseph and Elroy Joseph. Elton Joseph holds a spot on the Men’s Senior National Team, while Elroy Joseph represents St. Vincent and the Grenadines on the U23 3×3 National Team. It was Elroy who emerged as the undisputed star of the championship game, turning in a dominant all-around performance that earned him both Smokin Aces’ Team MVP and the tournament’s Finals MVP honors. For the newly formed team, the title win is more than a trophy — it marks a landmark milestone that underscores the growing impact of Union Island players on the regional basketball scene in the Grenadines.
The evening’s second championship match, the 2nd Division final between Golden Knights and Apex Elite, delivered what attendees and fans universally called the most exhilarating matchup of the entire 24th tournament. The contest was a back-and-forth battle from tipoff, with Golden Knights trailing for the vast majority of regulation play. As the clock wound down and the championship hung in the balance, Golden Knights guard Cassius Joseph stepped into the spotlight: sinking two consecutive game-tying free throws in the final seconds to force overtime.
After two extra periods and multiple players from both squads fouling out, Golden Knights seized momentum late in the second overtime, pulling away to secure an 80-71 win. Joseph’s clutch late-game free throws proved the difference-maker, reinforcing the long-held basketball adage that consistent free throw shooting wins championships. Like John, Joseph’s standout performance across the tournament earned him multiple individual honors, including Team MVP, Overall MVP, and Most Rebounds. The win also saw Golden Knights successfully defend their 2nd Division title, retaining the crown for a second consecutive year.
The championship doubleheader drew high-profile attendance that highlighted the growing national importance of the regional tournament. Godwin Friday, Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines and MP for the Northern Grenadines, joined Renitta Peters-Morris, vice president of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Basketball Federation, for the final games. In a post-tournament press release, the Bequia Basketball Association (BBA) noted that their presence underscored the growing recognition of basketball development and the critical role of community programs in nurturing emerging young Vincentian athletes.
BBA President Sabrina Mitchell opened her closing remarks by extending gratitude to every group that contributed to the 24th tournament’s success, thanking sponsors, donors, community supporters, player families, participating athletes, volunteers, executive committee members, referees, and table officials for their consistent commitment throughout the competition.
Looking ahead, the BBA has already laid out plans to build on the momentum generated by this year’s tournament. Mitchell announced the launch of a new Elite Athletes Programme, with 12 young athletes between the ages of 15 and 24 already selected to participate, with more detailed information set to be released in the coming weeks. The association will also host a new Grenadines 3×3 Tournament this coming October, and will continue running its popular youth basketball development camps through the coming months.
“As the 24th Annual Tournament comes to a close, the BBA Executive remains committed to building on the momentum created this summer and investing in the future of basketball across Bequia and the wider Grenadines,” the BBA’s press release concluded.