标签： Saint Lucia

The Saint Lucia Premier League T20 (SPL T20) officially launched its 2026 season with a highly anticipated player draft event held on February 7th at the Palmville Conference Center of Coco Palm Resort. The draft ceremony set the stage for the tournament’s sixth edition, scheduled to run from April 10 to May 25 across various venues throughout the island.

The drafting process unfolded through five meticulous rounds, with each of the eight franchises strategically selecting one player per round. These new acquisitions will join 11 pre-selected protected players to form complete 16-member squads. The protected player composition followed specific league requirements: six mandatory homegrown talents, two retained players from the 2025 season, one marquee player, and up to two optional overseas players.

League regulations also mandated that each team include at least two players under age 19 as of October 1, 2026 (excluding international signings). New franchise entries without retained players received two additional draft rounds, while teams opting out of overseas selections gained compensatory draft opportunities.

Zayee Antoine emerged as the draft’s first overall selection, highlighting his coveted status among team managers. The event showcased the league’s growing professionalism and competitive balance as franchises built their rosters for the upcoming campaign.

SPL CEO Hassan Euristee expressed enthusiasm during pre-draft interviews, promising “production like no other” for the 2026 season. “We’re gonna take it up a step, up a level,” Euristee announced. “It’s time that we get into that professionalism. I’m just happy that we could have the draft and we get things going for 2026.”

The eight competing franchises include: Babonneau Leatherbacks, Choiseul Craftmasters, City Blasters, Gros Islet Knights, Micoud Eagles, Mon Repos Pioneers, Soufriere Titans, and South Castries Lions. Each team finalized their squads through the draft, blending established veterans with emerging young talents to create dynamic rosters for the two-month cricket extravaganza.

In a dramatic Sunday showdown at the Francis Baba Lastic Playing Field, GMC United delivered a remarkable comeback to defeat previously unbeaten New Generation FC 2-1 in the Kenson Casimir Bay Bay Cup tournament. The February 8th match saw New Generation seize an early advantage when Yanic Noel capitalized on a defensive error in the 18th minute, putting the Group A leaders ahead.

Despite trailing at halftime, the defending national club champions mounted a spirited second-half resurgence reminiscent of their midweek derby triumph over Dominators. GMC’s equalizer came through an extraordinary set-piece execution as Jayden Etienne curved a corner kick directly into the net. The turnaround was completed when captain Tonius Simon converted a decisive penalty, securing three crucial points for the Corinth-based squad.

Meanwhile, defending Bay Bay Cup holders Northern United continued their dominant form in Group B, establishing a commanding 3-0 halftime lead against Police FC. Dorian Marcellin, Devonte Herman, and Nicholas Lawrence all found the net before the interval. Although Police’s Tarrique Phillip managed a consolation goal in the 68th minute, Justice Germaine restored Northern United’s three-goal margin just two minutes later with a fourth strike.

The tournament landscape remains fluid as GMC United awaits Wednesday’s critical matchup between Gros Islet Youth and Dominators FC. While GMC currently holds second position in Group A, their semifinal qualification hinges on this pivotal fixture. In Group B, Police FC faces must-win circumstances against unbeaten Gros Islet Veterans to keep their advancement hopes alive.

In a stunning display of resilience, the University of North Texas women’s basketball squad engineered their most remarkable comeback of the season this past Saturday. Facing a daunting 13-point deficit against Temple at the Liacouras Centre, the Mean Green mounted a spectacular second-half surge to clinch a narrow 69-66 victory.

The comeback was spearheaded by a phenomenal individual performance from the team’s 6-foot-4 center, who single-handedly accounted for all 13 of North Texas’ points in the decisive fourth quarter. Her late-game heroics included consecutive baskets that first tied the game and then secured the lead. She finished with an impressive stat line of 20 points on highly efficient 12-shot attempts, complemented by six successful free throws out of seven. Dominating the boards with 13 rebounds and setting a personal best with four steals, she recorded her 14th double-double of the campaign.

Despite entering halftime with a 10-point disadvantage, North Texas (13-10, 7-4) exploded offensively in the final two quarters, putting up 41 points. The third period proved to be the critical turning point in the game, with the team unleashing an offensive barrage of 28 points and connecting on six three-pointers to shift the momentum entirely.

The victory was a testament to a collective team effort. Four other players made significant scoring contributions: Jazzy Owens-Barnett, Aysia Proctor, and Andi Schissler each added 9 points, while Chania Price chipped in with 8. Schissler’s hot hand from beyond the arc continued, as she sank three more triples, bringing her shooting tally to an impressive 9-of-14 from deep over the last three contests. Price also made a notable impact by successfully landing her second and third three-pointers of the year.

Head Coach Jason Burton praised his team’s unselfish and confident play, stating, ‘We spread the wealth today. We’ve emphasized becoming a team with multiple scoring threats, and that vision was realized on the court. Witnessing multiple players shoot with such confidence fundamentally transforms our identity as a team.’

Saint Lucian high jumper Jenneil Jacobie has positioned herself as a strong contender for the 2026 Commonwealth Games following a record-shattering performance in Texas. The 21-year-old athletics star from Gros Islet achieved a critical qualifying standard by clearing 1.87 meters at the Charlie Thomas Invitational on January 6, becoming only the seventh athlete from Saint Lucia to meet the stringent requirements set by the Saint Lucia Athletics Association (SLAA).

Competing for East Texas A&M University, Jacobie’s remarkable clearance not only secured her event victory but also established a new institutional record for her university. The achievement propelled her into the NCAA Division I top 10 rankings and marked her inaugural entry into the global top 50 rankings. This milestone six-foot jump simultaneously maintained her leading position in the Southland Conference and equaled the meet record for the Charlie Thomas Invitational.

Jacobie must now replicate this success by achieving the 1.82-meter standard at least twice more before the qualification period concludes on May 31 to secure her ticket to Glasgow. Currently, only sprinter Julien Alfred and fellow athlete Marvric Pamphile have satisfied the SLAA technical committee’s requirement of three qualifying performances during the current period.

The weekend competition also showcased exceptional performances from other Saint Lucian athletes internationally. Joy Edward from the University of Charleston dominated the shot put with a 14.01-meter throw at the Marshall Jewel City Invitational, while Natalie Albert from the University of Memphis excelled in the weight throw with an 18.34-meter effort at the UAB Green and Gold Invite.

Additional notable performances from Saint Lucian athletes included Mya Hippolyte’s second-place finish in the 60m (7.72s), Carl Drakes’ eighth-place showing in the 60m (6.98s) at the IC4A/ECAC Indoor Championships, and Miguel Charlery’s victory in the 55m (6.46s) at the DeSchriver Invitational, demonstrating the depth of track and field talent emerging from the Caribbean nation.

The West Indies cricket team commenced their quest for a third T20 World Cup title with an emphatic 35-run triumph against Scotland in their tournament opener on Saturday. The match, held at Kolkata’s iconic Eden Gardens, showcased a dominant all-round performance that sets a formidable precedent for their campaign.

Electing to bat first after winning the toss, the Caribbean side established a solid foundation through a cautious yet effective opening partnership. Captain Shai Hope and Brandon King navigated the initial powerplay without casualty, accumulating 54 runs to provide crucial stability at the top of the order.

The innings transformed dramatically with the arrival of Shimron Hetmyer, whose explosive batting display electrified the Kolkata crowd. The Guyanese batsman unleashed a devastating assault on the Scottish bowlers, hammering 64 runs from just 36 deliveries. His remarkable innings featured six maximums and two boundaries, including a blistering half-century achieved in merely 22 balls. Supported by Rovman Powell’s brisk 24 (14 balls) and Sherfane Rutherford’s rapid 26 (13 balls), Hetmyer propelled the West Indies to a competitive total of 183/5.

Scotland’s response began disastrously as the West Indian pace attack wreaked havoc during the powerplay, reducing the associates to 38/3. A valiant 78-run partnership between Richie Berrington and Tom Bruce temporarily revived Scottish hopes, but the mounting required run rate ultimately proved insurmountable. The collapse culminated in a spectacular bowling exhibition from Romario Shepherd, who claimed a hat-trick en route to sensational figures of 5/20, dismantling Scotland’s lower order and sealing a comprehensive victory.

Man of the Match Hetmyer attributed his match-winning performance to mental resilience, having overcome significant visa complications that delayed his arrival in India. “Everything happens for a reason. I’ve put those challenges behind me to focus entirely on my batting and contribute to the team’s success,” the left-hander stated during the post-match presentation.

The Caribbean squad now turns its attention to their next Group Stage encounter against defending champions England on Wednesday, seeking to maintain their winning momentum in the prestigious tournament.

Saint Lucian sprint sensation Julien Alfred made a spectacular return to competition by posting the fastest indoor women’s 60m time globally this season. The 24-year-old Olympic champion dominated Heat 1 at the Woo Pig Classic in Fayetteville, Arkansas, clocking an impressive 7.04 seconds at the Randal Tyson Track Center on Saturday.

The University of Texas alumna chose to launch her 2026 campaign in Arkansas rather than at the previously announced Millrose Games, marking her first competitive appearance since securing 100m bronze at last September’s Tokyo World Championships. This return to the track ends a 146-day competitive hiatus and represents her first 60m race since claiming gold at the 2024 World Indoor Championships in Glasgow 707 days ago.

Alfred, currently ranked as the second-fastest woman in history over the indoor 60m distance, has declared ambitious dual objectives for the season. The sprint star aims to defend her title at next month’s World Indoor Championships in Kujawy Pomorze, Poland, while simultaneously targeting the longstanding world record of 6.92 seconds set by Russia’s Irina Privalova.

Her season-opening performance surpassed the previous indoor season best of 7.05 seconds set by Czech athlete Karolína Maňasová nearly three weeks prior. Notably, Alfred’s time also outperformed Jamaican sprinter Tia Clayton’s 7.02-second mark achieved at GC Foster College, which was recorded outdoors with wind assistance and therefore not eligible for indoor rankings.

In a nail-biting finish at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground, St Theresa Secondary School successfully defended their title at the 2025 St Joseph’s Convent athletics championships, narrowly overcoming a formidable challenge from Blessed Anne. The final standings saw St Theresa accumulate 650 points, with Blessed Anne finishing a close second at 631 points. St Anne secured third place with 540 points, while Maria Goretti completed the competition with 504 points.

The championship unfolded as a dramatic two-day battle between the top contenders. St Theresa established a significant advantage during the opening day’s road race, fun sports, and field events, building a 45-point cushion with 311 total points. However, Blessed Anne mounted a spectacular comeback on the track finals day, dominating with 367 points compared to St Theresa’s 339 in track events.

Individual performances highlighted the exceptional talent across all divisions. St Theresa’s victory was propelled by Imara-Marie Fadlien-Fevriere, who dominated Division 3 with victories in the 100m (13.6 seconds) and 200m (28.5 seconds), while also leading her teams to relay triumphs. Breyanie James contributed crucial points with her 400m win in 1:19.5.

Blessed Anne’s campaign featured outstanding performances from Destinee Cenac, who demonstrated remarkable versatility in Division 1. The CARIFTA silver medalist set a high jump record during field events before claiming triple gold in the 100m (12.7), 200m (27.7), and 400m (1:15.0), culminating in a 4x100m relay victory.

The competition showcased emerging talent across all age groups. First-former Skai Sammy made waves for Maria Goretti with Division 5 wins in the 80m (10.7) and 150m (20.0), adding to her earlier shot put record. Kimaura Francois of Blessed Anne set school records in the Division 4 100m (13.3) and 200m (27.3), while St Theresa’s Miracle Isaac claimed the 400m in 1:10.8.

Physical education teacher Michael Annius revealed the strategic preparation behind St Theresa’s success, noting that training had commenced since September with the objective of securing a third consecutive Island Champs trophy. “We stress preparation from the beginning of the year, not just months before the event,” Annius explained to St Lucia Times. “Everyone is coming for us, we know that. And it’s all about coming out big, coming out strong to retain our championship.”