Carib Scope

标签： Barbados

巴巴多斯

  • BESCO disputes union claim for Portvale factory

    BESCO disputes union claim for Portvale factory

    A bitter industrial dispute at Barbados’ only operational sugar manufacturing facility has deepened, with operator Barbados Energy and Sugar Company Inc. (BESCO) publicly rejecting the Unity Workers’ Union’s (UWU) core demand that the Portvale Sugar Factory be legally classified as a retail shop. In a paid public notice released Tuesday, the cooperative slammed the UWU’s classification argument as legally baseless, warning that forcing the change would saddle the already fragile sugar operation with untenable financial costs.

    The UWU, headed by organizer Caswell Franklyn, has pushed for Portvale to be brought under the nation’s labor legislation governing retail stores and shops, a change that would alter how overtime and working hours are calculated for factory staff. But BESCO pushed back against this framing, noting that independent industrial relations experts who reviewed the applicable law have concluded the union’s interpretation is incorrect. The company emphasized that Portvale is fundamentally an industrial manufacturing facility, not a retail outlet, and its current shift scheduling already adheres to all relevant health, safety, and industrial workplace regulations.

    This public clash comes amid months of simmering tensions between BESCO management and the UWU, centered on two core points: union recognition and working condition standards. The dispute has already spilled over into industrial action, with a multi-day work stoppage earlier this month grinding sugarcane harvesting to a halt across the entire island, disrupting operations for Barbados’ last working sugar mill.

    The root of the recognition conflict lies in competing claims: the UWU asserts it represents a majority of Portvale’s workforce, with more than 50 workers registered to the union, but BESCO disputes this count, putting the UWU’s membership at just 38. The operator already recognizes the Barbados Workers’ Union (BWU) as the official bargaining agent for employees, a status the UWU is actively challenging.

    Beyond recognition, the UWU has raised alarms about the facility’s current shift system and working hour structure, arguing the arrangements violate national labor standards. BESCO has pushed back against these claims, noting that the current shift framework was agreed upon in existing employment contracts, and includes structured premium compensation for non-standard working hours. Under the current system, workers earn a 15% shift premium added to their base hourly rate for shifts within a standard 40-hour work week, rising to 25% extra for weekend work that falls within an additional 16 hours of scheduled labor. Any time worked beyond a 56-hour weekly total is compensated at 1.5 times the regular base rate, the company confirmed.

    BESCO also provided context for the current employment structure, noting that many current Portvale workers were rehired after the sugar industry underwent restructuring and privatization, which included substantial severance packages for workers exiting the sector at that time. The new employment terms, including the shift and pay system, were put in place when these workers were brought back on staff, the company added.

    On the financial impact of the UWU’s demands, BESCO warned that reclassifying the factory as a retail shop to meet the union’s overtime restructuring demands would create unsustainable cost pressures that threaten the facility’s long-term viability. The company called the UWU’s overall demands “excessive, and financially unsustainable” for the business.

    Despite the ongoing standoff and public disagreement, BESCO struck a conciliatory final note, affirming that it remains committed to good-faith negotiations. The company stated it is still “ready to meet in good faith with the duly recognised bargaining agent and all relevant parties” to resolve the conflict. In a closing appeal, BESCO called on all stakeholders to center discussions on solutions that “protect workers’ livelihoods and the long-term future of sugar manufacturing in Barbados.”

  • Child health system assessed six years after $20m boost

    Child health system assessed six years after $20m boost

    On Monday evening, stakeholders from across Barbados and the global health community converged to celebrate and evaluate six years of groundbreaking work at the Shaw Centre for Paediatric Excellence, a landmark initiative that is positioning the small Caribbean nation as a regional trailblazer in child healthcare.

    Founded in 2019, the centre grew out of a transformative $10 million philanthropic donation from the Canada-based LesLois Shaw Foundation, with hands-on implementation support from Toronto’s world-leading SickKids hospital. Local partners including Barbados’ Ministry of Health, the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, and the University of the West Indies joined the collaboration to build a locally rooted paediatric care model from the ground up.

    At the commemorative reception hosted at the Canadian High Commissioner’s Holetown residence, Jennifer Bernard, President and CEO of the SickKids Foundation, outlined the far-reaching progress the partnership has delivered to date. Fifty nurses have completed specialized training in high-demand paediatric care fields, core clinical infrastructure at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital has undergone comprehensive upgrades, and cutting-edge specialized medical equipment has been rolled out to raise the standard of care across the island. A key priority has been shifting care toward proactive intervention, exemplified by a three-year newborn screening pilot program that is laying the groundwork for earlier detection and treatment of childhood health conditions.

    Bernard emphasized that the centre’s success defies assumptions about the capacity of small island states to deliver systemic public health change. “If we know we can do it in the West Indies, we can do it anywhere,” she noted, adding that the centre’s integrated cross-sector model – which unites government, academic institutions, and frontline healthcare providers – serves as a replicable blueprint for low- and middle-income countries working to strengthen their own child health systems.

    Dr. Clyde Cave, programme director of the Shaw Centre, explained that the initiative represents a fundamental paradigm shift from the traditional reactive model of healthcare delivery to a coordinated, prevention-focused framework. The programme adopts a life-course approach to child wellbeing, extending care from the pre-natal period all the way through adolescence, while addressing long-standing gaps in service access for young people. It has also grown local paediatric expertise: the number of home-grown specialized paediatric nurses has expanded significantly, and new clinical specializations including neonatology, adolescent gynaecology, and paediatric psychiatry have been established locally, eliminating the need for many families to seek costly care abroad.

    Research has also been a core pillar of the centre’s work. The Barbados Childhood Nutrition Study, the centre’s flagship research project, has established the first robust national baseline for childhood obesity rates, providing critical data that has shaped national public health policy, particularly the government’s school nutrition programme.

    Virginia Shaw, director of the LesLois Shaw Foundation, shared that the foundation’s involvement has always centered on delivering measurable impact rather than public recognition. She even revealed that she initially pushed back against the decision to name the centre after her family. A self-described “Bajan Canadian”, Shaw has deep personal ties to the island, noting that her parents were once patients at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital. She thanked the full network of partners and frontline staff for their work, stressing that progress has only been possible through collective collaboration and that the initiative’s work to improve child health outcomes remains an ongoing commitment.

    While celebrating six years of achievement, stakeholders also acknowledged the persistent challenges that lie ahead. Key among these is the need to build stronger, more robust systems to measure long-term programme impact and drive systemic cultural change within Barbados’ broader healthcare system, a priority the centre will continue to focus on in coming years.

  • High hopes as first athletes depart for CARIFTA

    High hopes as first athletes depart for CARIFTA

    As one of the most anticipated regional track and field competitions on the Caribbean sports calendar approaches, Barbados’ delegation to the 2024 CARIFTA Games has kicked off its journey to host nation Grenada, with athletes and coaching staff carrying strong morale and quiet confidence into the April 3-6 tournament.

    Team manager Angela Jackson shared updates on the squad’s preparations and mindset with local outlet Barbados TODAY on departure day at Grantley Adams International Airport. The first contingent, made up of 42 competing athletes, departed Barbados on the scheduled timeline, while the remaining 18 team members are scheduled to arrive in Grenada within 24 hours to join the group. Jackson was among the officials accompanying the first batch, alongside co-manager Duante Harvey, Athletics Association of Barbados president Noel Lynch and multiple lead coaches. First-time and returning competitors alike completed their pre-departure check-in procedures, with many first-time athletes accompanied by family members as they prepared for the biggest regional meet of their young careers so far.

    Jackson emphasized that the entire squad is brimming with excitement to compete on the Grenada track, describing the overall team mood as consistently positive heading into the championships. “The mood is very good. The athletes are all excited and looking forward to arriving in Grenada and giving of their very best,” she noted.

    When asked about potential medal expectations for the Barbados team, Jackson declined to make any concrete predictions on the team’s final medal haul, but highlighted that the 2024 delegation has strong, well-balanced depth across events, particularly in the Under-20 division. Instead of focusing on pre-set medal targets, the coaching and management staff’s core goal is to encourage every athlete to perform to the best of their personal ability. “I can agree that the team is very strong in certain areas, and all that we can do is to expect them to give of their best. Of course, I am not going to touch on any medals prediction whatsoever. We are just encouraging each and everyone on the team to give of their best and once that is done we will be quite satisfied,” Jackson explained.

    She also reflected on the team’s preparation cycle, noting that the build-up to CARIFTA was largely smooth, despite facing minor time constraints caused by the tight gap between the Barbados Secondary Schools Athletics Championships (BSSAC) and this year’s regional tournament. Due to the compressed timeline, the team was only able to host one mandatory pre-competition workshop focused on anti-doping education, a critical session given that nearly a third of the squad are first-time CARIFTA competitors. Coaching staff have been working closely with these rookie athletes to help them adjust to the higher stakes of regional competition and get into the right competitive frame of mind before the opening event.

    Beyond the official delegation, dozens of parents, friends and local sports supporters were present at the airport to send off the team, with many of these well-wishers also planning to travel to Grenada in the coming days to cheer on the Barbados squad throughout the four-day championships.

  • Landmark housing bill to make tenants homeowners

    Landmark housing bill to make tenants homeowners

    On Tuesday, the Mia Mottley-led administration of Barbados enacted historic housing legislation that is poised to help thousands of low-income and working-class residents become first-time property owners, a step leaders frame as a radical intervention to break the crippling cycle of intergenerational poverty across the island nation.

    Titled the State Acquisition and Vesting of Property Bill, the new law cuts through decades of bureaucratic gridlock to fast-track ownership transfers for thousands of long-term tenants occupying units managed by Barbados’ National Housing Corporation (NHC). Speaking during parliamentary debate in the House of Assembly, Minister of Housing Chris Gibbs positioned the bill as an overdue act of justice for residents who have met their financial obligations to the state over decades of tenancy.

    Gibbs recalled that a 2013 law already set out a framework to transfer ownership of terrace housing units to eligible tenants, but the process has been glacial at best. Over the past 11 years, only 500 of the nearly 4,000 qualifying properties have been successfully transferred. The backlog stems from exorbitant legal fees and administrative bottlenecks that require case-by-case approval, a process that can take years to complete. “This bill changes that decisively,” Gibbs stated. “It leverages constitutional authority to transfer ownership directly, eliminate administrative roadblocks, and deliver the property title that residents have already earned. The state takes formal possession of the land and immediately vests it in qualifying tenants. No endless delays, no stacks of complicated paperwork.”

    The housing minister stressed the legislation is not a political giveaway or patronage favor, but the fulfillment of a clear commitment to residents who meet two core eligibility requirements: 20 years of continuous occupancy, and a proven track record of consistent, on-time rent payments. A central pillar of the parliamentary debate centered on reframing housing from mere shelter to a buildable financial asset that can lift households across generations. Gibbs highlighted the systemic disadvantage faced by NHC tenants: even after decades of maintaining and paying for their homes, they held no legal title, leaving them unable to use the property as collateral for loans to start businesses, fund education, or cover medical costs, and unable to pass the asset down to their children after death. “A house without a title is just shelter. A house with a title is power,” Gibbs told the assembly. “Power to build, power to borrow, power to pass on security to the next generation. We are putting that power directly into the hands of the Barbadian people. This is not just a housing policy – this is a generational wealth-building strategy.”

    The bill also resolves longstanding uncertainty for families of deceased NHC tenants who were left in legal limbo, with no clear path to claim the home their family member occupied for decades. By regularizing ownership rights, the legislation enables seamless transfer of property to heirs, giving families clear title and access to mortgage lending that was previously out of reach.

    Aligning with a core policy priority of Prime Minister Mia Mottley, Gibbs argued that the long-standing culture of permanent public sector tenancy is unsustainable for both the state and individual residents. He described long-term rental payments as “dead money” that never build equity for the tenant, and signaled that this ownership transfer is the first step in a broader government shift toward expanding rent-to-own programs and innovative social mortgage products designed to narrow the gap between stagnant low wages and soaring property costs across Barbados. “This government is committed to helping Barbadians build equity, and we are rethinking how we spend public funds to deliver more meaningful value for people,” Gibbs noted. “We will pursue bold new partnerships to expand access to home ownership across the country.”

    The rollout of the program will be implemented in staggered phases to ensure smooth administration. The first phase covers approximately 200 qualifying units in communities including Deacons Farm and Haynesville, followed by a second phase that will add more than 600 additional units. Over time, the program will reach nearly 3,900 eligible properties across 27 NHC housing estates. To address public concerns about long-term community upkeep, Gibbs emphasized that new ownership comes with clear responsibilities. The legislation establishes a detailed covenant regime that requires properties to remain in residential use, mandates maintenance of community standards, and protects shared public access to core utilities.

    Closing debate ahead of the bill’s second reading, Gibbs framed the policy as a moral imperative for the Barbadian government. “After decades of waiting, the wait is over,” he said. “We are turning tenants into owners, we are turning housing into assets, and we are turning our communities into engines of intergenerational stability and national pride.”

  • Lester Vaughan unveils new cosmetology lab as education reform gathers pace

    Lester Vaughan unveils new cosmetology lab as education reform gathers pace

    In a significant advancement for Barbados’s educational modernization agenda, Lester Vaughan School has inaugurated a cutting-edge cosmetology laboratory through a strategic public-private partnership. This facility positions the institution as a pioneering center for technical and creative education, directly aligning with national efforts to equip students for emerging economic opportunities.

    Education Transformation Minister Chad Blackman conducted an inaugural tour of the facility, emphasizing its role in preparing students for the rapidly expanding global beauty industry. “The global cosmetology sector currently represents a $700 billion market, with projections indicating growth to $900 billion by 2027,” Minister Blackman stated. “Our fundamental question becomes how we strategically position Barbadian students to access this substantial global marketplace.”

    The minister articulated a transformative educational philosophy that moves beyond traditional technical training. “This initiative transcends basic hairstyling instruction,” he explained. “We’re cultivating business acumen within the beauty industry and developing the comprehensive skill sets required for international market leadership—grounded in professional values, confidence, and excellence.”

    This collaboration with #1 Beauty Supply exemplifies the government’s “Partners in Education” initiative, receiving particular commendation from Chief Education Officer Dr. Ramona Archer Bradshaw. The partnership extends beyond infrastructure development, incorporating a structured internship program that will place nine students within the company’s commercial operations.

    Dr. Archer Bradshaw addressed attendees with a powerful affirmation of diverse educational pathways: “This facility embodies our conviction that excellence manifests through multiple channels. Whether students pursue engineering, medicine, or cosmetology, the Ministry believes education must validate all professional trajectories.”

    Beginning September 2024, cosmetology and barbering will be formally integrated into the school’s Arts Department curriculum, alongside established programs in music, theater, and visual arts. This structural integration represents a deliberate response to the expanding creative sector, often termed the “Orange Economy,” where artistic innovation intersects with commercial enterprise.

    The inauguration included a symbolic demonstration of student capability when Minister of Home Affairs Gregory Nicholls received professional grooming services from a student barber. This interaction visibly demonstrated the initiative’s core objective: providing tangible, confidence-building experiences that connect classroom learning with real-world application.

    Lester Vaughan School now joins ten other secondary institutions offering beauty education, distinguishing itself as one of only six nationwide providing comprehensive training in both cosmetology and barbering disciplines. As the fifth laboratory established through private sector collaboration, this project establishes a direct vocational pathway while advancing national priorities in sustainable development, entrepreneurship, and social well-being.

  • Unions hail return of teachers term leave

    Unions hail return of teachers term leave

    In a landmark achievement for educator welfare, Barbadian teachers have successfully reclaimed their entitlement to term’s leave following twelve years of persistent advocacy. Union leaders celebrated this restoration as a significant triumph during a Monday press conference at the Ministry of Education Transformation headquarters.

    Gilbert Carmichael, General Secretary of the Barbados Union of Teachers (BUT), expressed profound relief at the resolution of this protracted struggle. “We’re extremely elated this afternoon,” Carmichael stated. “Twelve years certainly isn’t twelve days, and this has been a long, hard fight.” He acknowledged both governmental cooperation and membership solidarity as crucial factors in achieving this outcome.

    The reinstated benefit, eliminated in 2014 under austerity measures by the Democratic Labour Party administration, allows qualified educators to receive a full school term of paid leave after fifteen years of service, renewable every five subsequent years. Originally intended as a temporary restriction, the policy had limited access to first-time applicants and those approaching retirement.

    Mary-Ann Redman, President of the Barbados Secondary Teachers’ Union, described the development as resolving “a source of frustration, bother, hurt, anger to teachers in the system.” She emphasized the indispensable nature of term’s leave for educators’ emotional, physical, and professional well-being.

    BUT President Rudy Lovell highlighted the contemporary relevance of this benefit, noting that teaching has become “one of the most intellectually and emotionally demanding” professions due to increased workloads, expanded administrative requirements, and additional teaching periods contributing to widespread fatigue and burnout.

    The restoration followed sustained union efforts including legal action initiated in 2017 and a two-day strike by the BUT in April 2025. Ryan Phillips of the Congress of Trade Unions and Staff Associations of Barbados characterized the decision as signaling governmental commitment to worker welfare and potentially heralding improved dialogue regarding working conditions across Barbados’ public service.

  • Cougars celebrate BSSAC title

    Cougars celebrate BSSAC title

    The streets of Bridgetown erupted in celebration on Monday as St Michael School paraded their athletic supremacy following a dominant victory at the Dasani BSSAC Championships. Marking their second consecutive title win, the triumphant team embarked on a jubilant motorcade that captivated local communities and showcased exceptional school spirit.

    Departing from their campus at 10 a.m., dozens of elite athletes, spirited cheerleaders, and dedicated coaching staff rode atop decorated trucks through key city areas. The procession generated enthusiastic responses from residents who lined the streets to cheer and wave at the passing champions.

    Head coach Gabriel Burnett revealed to media that the victory celebration had been strategically planned before the championships concluded, reflecting the team’s extraordinary confidence in their capabilities. “It feels tremendous,” Burnett stated. “We prioritize what our athletes desire, and annually they request this motorcade. We ensure we deliver this experience for them.”

    The coaching veteran emphasized that the repeated success stemmed from systematic preparation rather than overconfidence. “This achievement aligns completely with our expectations since last year. While some might misinterpret our assurance as arrogance, we maintained profound confidence in our developmental process and competitive execution,” Burnett explained.

    As architects of an enduring athletic legacy, St Michael School continues to reinforce its reputation as an institutional powerhouse. Burnett outlined his philosophy of shielding athletes from pressure while steering the program: “I consistently remind our competitors that all glory belongs to them while I assume all operational challenges. Having competed at Olympic level myself, I don’t perceive external pressures as overwhelming. Our sponsor Pedialyte Sport provides tremendous support without imposing expectations.”

    The victory parade progressed from Welches through Station Hill before arriving at Combermere School, which had simultaneously secured its third consecutive boys’ title. Anticipation built dramatically as students gathered at perimeter fences seeking vantage points. After tense negotiations, Combermere principal Robin Douglas granted permission for controlled interaction between the rival institutions.

    The scene transformed into an impromptu celebration as hundreds of students converged to the infectious rhythms of Machel’s 2025 hit “PARDY.” For fifteen memorable minutes, traffic slowed to a crawl as motorists, school officials, and community members joined the cross-school festivities. In a powerful display of sportsmanship, recently competing athletes linked arms in unity before the motorcade returned to Bridgetown, concluding an extraordinary celebration of youth athletic excellence.

  • High spirits, higher kites: St Leonard’s boys take to the skies

    High spirits, higher kites: St Leonard’s boys take to the skies

    The skies above St Leonard’s Boys’ School in St Michael came alive with a vibrant display of color and creativity as dozens of handmade kites soared in the breeze, marking a special end-of-term celebration that blended cultural preservation with educational development. The school’s pasture transformed into a dynamic cultural arena where nearly 50 first-form students showcased their craftsmanship through designing, building, and flying their own kites.

    Principal Peter Cox revealed that the initiative emerged organically from student enthusiasm rather than administrative planning. “This activity was genuinely initiated by the students themselves,” Cox explained. “Kite flying remains particularly popular in the Black Rock area throughout the year, so we simply facilitated their interests.”

    The event served dual purposes: preserving Barbados’ cultural heritage while providing hands-on learning opportunities. Cox noted the evolution of kite-making traditions, observing a shift from traditional round kites to square designs and from paper to plastic bag materials. Despite these modern adaptations, the school aims to maintain the core skills and traditions associated with kite craftsmanship.

    Beyond cultural preservation, the activity provided valuable developmental benefits. “It creates an avenue for students to express themselves creatively and engage in hands-on learning outside conventional academic settings,” Cox emphasized. “It allows them to unwind and participate in activities that resonate with their interests.”

    School staff have already begun planning to deepen the initiative’s impact. Discussions are underway to increase teacher involvement and reintroduce more traditional construction methods, including “trash bone kites” that represent historical Barbadian kite-making techniques. The goal is to transform the event into a broader family activity that strengthens community bonds.

    Competition coordinator and first-form teacher Tracie Harris challenged assumptions about declining interest in traditional crafts among younger generations. “Last week demonstrated this tradition is far from dead,” Harris stated. “We witnessed numerous students enthusiastically gathering materials, constructing kites, and discussing designs—clear evidence that kite-making remains very much alive.”

    Despite challenging wind conditions, student participation and energy exceeded expectations. The competition featured eleven categories recognizing various achievements, including:
    – Kemar Worrell: Largest Kite
    – Andre Leacock: Smallest Kite
    – Jahari Prescod: Most Colourful Kite
    – Taylor Hardin: Most Creative Design
    – Adrian Codrington: Longest Tail
    – Jordan Taylor: SLB Spirit Kite Award
    – Jathaniel Bryant-Haynes: Loudest Kite
    – Rakai Dowridge: Best Self-Made Kite
    – Alex Jones-Ifill: Longest Flying Kite
    – Malik Griffith and Aaron Howard: Judges’ Pick (shared)
    – Wykayvion Gilkes: Fan Favourite

    The successful event demonstrated how student-driven initiatives can effectively preserve cultural traditions while fostering creativity, community engagement, and practical learning experiences.

  • Teachers win back term leave after 12-year fight

    Teachers win back term leave after 12-year fight

    In a landmark decision marking the culmination of a twelve-year advocacy campaign, the Barbadian government has officially reinstated the coveted paid term leave for the nation’s educators. The entitlement, suspended since 2014, will be restored effective April 1, 2026, as confirmed by Minister of Education Transformation Chad Blackman.

    The policy reinstates a critical benefit: eligible teachers are granted a full school term of paid leave after completing fifteen years of service, with subsequent leave available every five years thereafter. This reversal concludes a protracted period of industrial dispute, including strikes and legal challenges spearheaded by teachers’ unions.

    Minister Blackman characterized the announcement as a “momentous day,” publicly acknowledging the unions’ persistent advocacy and the profound relief this decision brings to educators and their families. The original suspension was enacted by the previous Democratic Labour Party administration as an austerity measure to curtail government expenditure, a move that spared educators from job cuts but ignited over a decade of contention.

    Permanent Secretary Kim Belle detailed the operational framework, which reverts to the pre-2014 system. A significant challenge will be managing a substantial backlog of eligible teachers accumulated since the suspension. To address this efficiently, the Ministry will deploy an electronic application system. However, safeguards are being implemented to ensure educational continuity; caps will limit leave approvals to 140 primary and 110 secondary teachers per term, with no more than ten percent of a school’s staff absent simultaneously.

    With approximately 3,500 teachers in the public system, the government has committed to a prioritized and fair process for reviewing applications. To mitigate disruption, an expanded pool of pre-vetted substitute teachers will be utilized to fill temporary vacancies seamlessly. Minister Blackman positioned this reinstatement as a core component of a broader commitment to valuing educators and constructing a first-class national education system.

  • Celtics stun defending champions Bulls in BABA Premier League

    Celtics stun defending champions Bulls in BABA Premier League

    The Barbados Amateur Basketball Association Premier League delivered an electrifying display of athletic prowess this Sunday, featuring four intense matchups that kept fans on the edge of their seats. At the Barbados Community College venue, teams demonstrated exceptional skill and competitive spirit throughout the evening’s proceedings.

    In the headline contest, C.A.M Smart Assurance City United Celtics secured a decisive 97-82 victory over Burger King Clapham Bulls. Derion Hurley emerged as the Celtics’ standout performer with an impressive 20-point contribution, receiving strong support from teammates Kiserian Adams (19 points) and Deroni Hurley (16 points). Despite the team loss, Clapham Bulls’ Simeon Maynard delivered the evening’s highest individual performance with 24 points, accompanied by Manuel Alleng’s 18-point effort.

    Fusionz Boutique Station Hill Cavaliers claimed another notable win, overcoming Premiumfit Bears 97-85 through exceptional teamwork. Gavin Philips led the Cavaliers’ charge with 22 points, while Deveron Knight (21 points) and Stephan Ottley (16 points) provided crucial scoring support. The Bears saw strong performances from Antoine Winter (23 points) and Akeem Williams (21 points) despite the final outcome.

    KFC Pinelands demonstrated dominant form with a 92-76 triumph over Island Care Ambulance Service and BodyxB Lakers. Nathan Estwick’s 20-point performance set the pace, complemented by identical 19-point contributions from both Kadeem Brathwaite and Carl Thorpe. The Lakers’ Keefe Birkett shone individually with a game-high 24 points, supported by Brandon Ruck’s 16 points.

    The evening concluded with an upset victory as NSC Tridents overcame Warrens Allstars 80-68. Issac Griffith’s 20-point performance anchored the Tridents’ success, with significant contributions from Zane Gaskin (19 points) and Ari-Mottley Squires (17 points). Warrens Allstars’ Trishon Gaskin (24 points) and Johnathan Dottin (20 points) delivered valiant efforts despite the team’s defeat.