PM presents championship ring to 2019 national basketball champs

PM presents championship ring to 2019 national basketball champs
Prime Minister Philip Brave Davis and members of his administration present the 2019 National Basketball Championship team from St Georges’ High on Grand Bahama with championship rings on Saturday, February 5, 2022.

FREEPORT, GRAND BAHAMA — After a three-year wait, the 2019 National Basketball Championship team from St Georges’ High on Grand Bahama received its championship ring on Saturday, February 5.

Prime Minister Philip Brave Davis.

Prime Minister Philip Brave Davis presented the rings to the 13-member team during a special ceremony at the school’s gymnasium, where he expressed the importance of honoring the young men for their accomplishments.

“Your championship win was a tremendous achievement and one you should be immensely proud of,” the prime minister said.

“It was only fitting that you be rewarded for your hard work, dedication and determination to be the best.”

Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg stated: “I was the head coach of CC Sweeting High in 2016 when the inaugural National High School Basketball Championship was held, when we won it,” he said.

Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg.

“To know what it is for these young men to be able to have something that they can wear for the rest of their lives, it shows something that they can always keep as a remembrance of what they’ve done and achieved during their high school career.”

The team’s head coach, Darrell Sears, was elated to see the young men receive their championship rings, saying: “It feels great. It’s a very proud moment.

“From the former principal, Mr Barr, and all our coaches, I am happy and proud of all of them.

“I have the best coaches in The Bahamas and the work that they and the young men put in, they are the ones to be thanked for what they’ve done.

“Also, Minister [Fred] Mitchell, he’s also to be thanked. I’ll never forget the day I was on Facebook crying about these boys not getting their just due and I saw other teams getting their championship rings. Mr Mitchell said [he] was not in the position of power at that time, but saw it fitting to make this happen.”

Foreign Affairs and Public Service Minister Fred Mitchell.

Foreign Affairs and Public Service Minister Fred Mitchell said it was the right thing to do, getting the team members their championship rings.

“The rings were donated by the prime minister (Davis) when he was leader of the opposition, because we felt that these young men were neglected by the last administration,” he said.

“They won the championship, but could never get the championship rings. So, he stepped in.

“I was chairman of the PLP (Progressive Liberal Party) at that time and brought it to his attention and now the young men have the rings.

“We have a commitment to young people, to sports and a commitment to an economy where young people can get an opportunity and a chance to excel.”

The 2019 National Championship team comprised of Khosygen Hield, Jaden Atkinson, Dion Storr, Shavaul Butters, Christopher Johnson, Micah Moss, Theodore Grant, Adrian Pinder, Paul Greene, Samuel Pinder, Dwaine Gayle and Adrian Harris.

Calvin McIntosh, Gregory Munroe and Patrick Victor served as assistant coaches.