Champions La Romaine Jet Stars are faced with a tough task of defending their title in the prestigious Minister of National Security Hoop of Life Community Basketball League following the main draw which took place at the Normandie, St Ann's, on Saturday.
The draw involved 24 teams (12 winners and 12 runners-up) from the 12 sectors (ten in Trinidad and two in Tobago) after a preliminary round of matches that featured 12 groups of five teams each. Each group played 10 matches to qualify as winner and runner up.
La Romaine which campaigned in South Sector 2, lost in the preliminary round for the first time in three seasons to Marabella United. In fact, the teams split their two-match contests 1-1 and were drawn in Group 1, together with Moriah (Tobago) Diego Martin, Petit Valley which made to the Round of 24 for the first time and San Juan, which is on a bye to the next knock-out stage.
The first phase is a sudden-death contest which brings together La Romaine and Moriah on Wednesday at Lucky Street, La Romiane for an 8 pm clash, the winner will play Marabella three days later at Bayshore Basketball Court, Marabella, the same venue where Laventille captured the first title in 2012.
The draw was attended by Dr Wendy Quamina-Yorke, deputy permanent secretary in the Ministry of National Security who has responsibility for the programme, Keith Renaud, the director of the Office of Law Enforcement Policy, Alexis Browne, vice president organization and development, National Basketball Federation of T&T (NBFTT) and Obadiah Asher, programme director, Hoop of Life.
Quamina-Yorke expressed her satisfaction with the programme, especially with the life skill component which she said the Hoop of Life has placed greater emphasis on improving the life of the participants in the programme.
Browne of the NBFTT pointed out to the teams that Hoop of Life is the second biggest single tournament in the world with 60 teams, while the NCAA men's tournament in the United States is the biggest with 68 teams.
He said that the NBFTT was here to provide technical support to ensure the successful running of the third edition and reminded all the teams that there are many opportunities available to players and technical staff during and conclusion of the competition.
He advised coaches to register with the Coaches Association and keep enquiring about certification courses. He also asked players to align themselves with teams in their respective zone for the enrichment of zonal basketball as this will contribute to them filling prerequisites for national team selection.
Meanwhile, Maloney, Mason Hall, La Brea, Laventille, Rio Claro, Valencia, San Juan and Marabella have all earned byes to the next round of the single elimination phase.
Groups & fixtures
GROUP 1: Marabella, La Romaine, Moriah, Diego Martin, Petit Valley, San Juan
GROUP 2: Valencia, Caledonia, Tunapuna, Siparia, Penal, Rio Claro
GROUP 3: Laventille, La Horquetta, Longdenville, Enterprise, Gonzales, La Brea.
GROUP 4: Mason Hall, Guaguayare, Sangre Grande, Bethel, Canaan, Maloney
Fixtures
September 3:
La Romaine vs Moriah, at La Romaine, 8 pm
Caledonia vs Tunapuna, at Paradise Heights, Morvant, 8 pm
La Horquetta vs Longdenville, at La Horquetta, 8 pm
Guayguayare vs Sangre Grande at Guayguayare, 8 pm
September 4:
Diego Martin vs Petit Valley, at Diego Martin, 8 pm
Siparia vs Penal, at Fyzabad, 8 pm
Enterprise vs Gonzales, at Chaguanas, 8 pm
Bethel vs Canaan/Bon Accord, at Bethel, 8 pm
September 6:
Marabella vs winner La Romaine/Moriah, at Marabella, 8 pm
Valencia vs winner Caledonia/Tunapuna, atValencia, 8 pm
Laventille vs winner La Horquetta/Longdenville, Laventille, 8 pm
Mason Hall vs winner Guayguayare/Sangre Grande, Mason Hall, 8 pm
September 8:
San Juan vs winner Diego Martin/Petit Valley, at San Juan, 8 pm
Rio Claro vs winner Siparia/Penal, at Rio Claro, 8 pm
La Brea vs winner Enterprise/Gonzales, at La Brea, 8 pm
Maloney vs winner Bethel/Canaan Bon Accord, Maloney, 8:00 pm?