‘Tranquil’ cop b-ball exhibition

Showing a just a hint of holiday rust, North Zone and National Schools Basketball League (SBL) champions Tranquillity Secondary edged Scarbor-ough Secondary’s Under-20 Boys outfit 25-23 yesterday at the Jean Pierre Complex, Mucurapo in a curtain-raising exhibition match as the new season tipped off.

Attended by the Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs Roger Boynes and Ministry of Education representatives, the opening ceremony served as a warm-up for Tranquillity as the North Zone season, the earliest of the four, begins on Monday. Still in the development stages, this year’s league promises growth both in numbers, as evidenced by the revival of the Girls Under-15 division, and in organisation as all zonal committees will be keen on a smooth run to the highly anticipated competition.

The day began yesterday at 10 am with a march past of teams after which Mucurapo Senior Secondary was adjudged winners among the girls. Overall the school also copped the “Best Queen” award; Tranquillity had the “Best Flag” according to judges. Mucurapo standout Affeisha Noel, came to the venue with guns blazing and sunk enough baskets to send the opposition packing and take the Girls’ Three-Point competition crown. Not to be outdone Morvant/Laventille Secondary School’s Michael John secured the bragging rights among the boys with his display from beyond the arc. Sadiqi Guerra of Diego Martin Secondary put last year’s Colleges Invitational Basketball Tournament Dunk-out winner Dylaun Skeete of Morvant/Laventille into second.