Clapham Bulls take Premier League 3×3 crown

The Burger King Clapham Bulls have added another title to their belt after they dominated and won the Barbados Amateur Basketball Association (BABA) Premier League 3×3 Tournament at the Barbados Community College (BCC) this past weekend.

Clapham, consisting of Rasheed Maynard, Simeon Maynard, Derion Hurley and Antoine Winter went undefeated throughout the tournament, and Pinelands was the last foe defeated, taken down 21-9 in the final. Led by Rasheed Maynard with eight points and Simeon Maynard with seven, the Bulls never looked phased in the final. Winter added four points and Hurley had two points. For Pinelands, Rachad Hall and Khairi Thorpe scored three.

The Island Care Ambulance Service & BodyxB Lakers took the final place on the podium after a nail-biting third-place matchup against the Warrens All-Stars 21-20. Khaleel Wilkinson of the Lakers hit the game-winner from the outside the three-point line, one of four in the game. It was a battle of the sharpshooters, and Wilkinson scored 10 points in the victory while Kaleil Austin of Warrens scored eight points and four shots from the outside. Austin hit his last two long-range shots to put Warrens up, 19-20 before Wilkinson sent Warrens to sleep with the game-winner. Khamal Boyce of Warrens finished with eight points as well, after a slow start to the playoffs, but put up numbers when it counted.

Renico Brewster of the 246 Mobile Shop City United Celtics, who were defeated in the quarterfinals, was one of the best players of the tournament, scoring 41 points in three games before his side was sent packing in the first round of the playoffs.

The BABA has been promoting the 3×3 tournaments in an effort to bring Barbados back into the FIBA 3×3 scope since taking part in the FIBA AmeriCup 3×3 2023. The association has to host at least three tournaments comprising at least eight teams to be eligible for regional FIBA tournaments, such as the Quest 3×3 competition in April. Besides Barbados earning a higher ranking, players also earn ranking points by competing in these tournaments. (AS)