It was a long but exciting weekend of youth basketball as 15 teams from St. Thomas, six teams from St. Croix, three teams from St. John, and one from Puerto Rico came together in honor of the memory of Roy Petersen Sr., who was tragically taken from us in January of 2009.
“My father was an employee with the Department of Housing, Parks, and Recreation for 29 years,” said Makeda Petersen-Turnbull, daughter of Roy Petersen Sr. Makeda’s dad poured his life into the youths of this community, coaching and officiating basketball and baseball games for over 25 years. “In 2014, my husband Vern Turnbull Jr. and I decided to keep my father Roy Petersen Sr.’s memory alive by hosting a basketball tournament in his honor,” said Makeda Petersen-Turnbull.
The seventh annual tournament saw five teams in the 9-12 division, five teams in the 13-15 division, two teams in the girl’s division, six teams in the 16-18 division, and seven teams in the 19-21 division.
In the 9-12 championship game, it took extra time for The Process (STT) to close the deal in their 23-22 hard-fought overtime win over Positive Guidance (STX). The Process J’vante Harrigan earned the Most Valuable Player Award. Rubio Heywood of Positive Guidance won the Most Outstanding Player Award. Positive Guidance La’Kaisha Graham represented herself well amongst the boys capturing Top Assists, Most Steals, and the Sportsmanship Award in this division. Temahni Joseph of The Process was the top rebounder and St. John Force’s Leandre Liburd was the 9–12 division’s top blocker.
The 13-15 championship game was never in doubt as R.A.W. (STT) used a suffocating full-court press to jump out to a big early lead and coasted to a 49-38 win over Alliance (STX). Trevor Prince of R.A.W. was the Most Value Player in the 13-15 division and recorded the most steals. Alliance’s Jalen Greenidge was named the Most Outstanding Player. R.A.W.’s K’nard Callendar grabbed the most rebounds and also was the top shot blocker. Onyx Ried also of R.A.W. won most assists. Nyack Nathaniel of Positive Guidance (STX) earned the Sportsmanship Award in this division.
The tournament featured two girl teams, Her-Ricans and Major Problems. The teams split their first two games, setting up a championship showdown on Sunday afternoon. But Her-Ricans had little problems with Major Problems, winning this rubber match, 28-13. Her-Ricans’ Ashukamaya Phillips was this division’s Most Valuable Player. Jahnesha Gomez of Major Problems was named Most Outstanding Player.
In probably the most spirited game of the day, Alliance (STX) raced out to an early big double-digit lead only to see the Hustlers (STT) come all the way back in this one. But the Alliance proved to be too much as they held on to win the title by a score of 74-66. Alliance’s Khaleed Heywood earned both the Most Valuable Player and Most Outstanding Player Awards in this division. Teammate Maliq Richards was the top rebounder and recorded the most blocks. Hustler’s Vern Frett distributed the most assists. Nuff Respects, Andre Leonard led the division in steals. His teammate, David Rogers, claimed the Sportsmanship Award.
The final championship game of the evening saw Nuff Respect (STT) defeat a tired New Breed team (STX) 81-71. Deshamoi Greaves of Nuff Respect walked away with the Most Valuable Player Award. New Breed’s Jahmai Jones claimed the Most Outstanding Player Award. Teammates Eddy Jean Louis and Patrick Hendrickson of St. John Force won top rebounds and most blocks, respectively. Purple City Kehjayah Rogers was the top assist man in this division. Isiah Garnette of Island Boys recorded the most steals. K’shard Callendar of Nuff Respect earned the Sportsmanship Award.
Steve Gardner II was named the Coach of the Tournament as he guided Nuff Respect to the 19-21 Championship.
