Valencia Heat displayed a good team performance to pick up the first win in the Men's First Division of the East Zone Basketball Commission (EZBC) Community Basketball League, in Maloney, with a commanding 90-67 result over La Horquetta Forces, on Sunday, the opening day of the competition.
Heat, among the favourites to win men's competition this year, shot to a 41-23 advantage after two quarters. In the end, four players recorded double figure scores for the winning team. Kevin Noreiga led with 19 points, followed by Wayne Richard and Jeffrey Saunders, who scored 17 and 15 points, respectively. Stefan Davis scored another 13 points for the winning team, while Forces' leading score came from Dave Johnson with 14 points.
The Women's Division and season league opening fixture featured a one-sided 60-29 victory for La Horquetta Colours over Tobago Star Seekers.
Anika Nottingham had an outstanding match for the winning team, scoring 31 points, while Sharbelle Cox also contributed for Colours with 12 points. Anicia Frank was Star Seekers' top player with 15 points.
The Zone's 2015 edition was officially launched with a parade of 25 teams. The days programme was led by the Zone chairman and current national senior women team coach Christopher Jackson Charles and his executive. Also, in attendance was special guest Alicia Hospedales, the Member of Parliament for Arouca/Maloney, who also made the ceremonial jump ball that signaled the starts of the new season.
The President of the National Basketball Federation of T&T (NBFTT) Garvin Warwick and the other elected officers of the organisation were noticeably absent. However, Melissa Guerrero, an outstanding national women's player and a number of former national players, as well representatives of the Sports Company of T&T (SporTT) were on hand to witness the parade of teams and the opening matches.
Action will continue this weekend with two matches. Those matches and all other fixtures will be finalised this week when the actual number of teams participating in the four divisions are confirmed.
Eight teams have been confirmed in the Men's First Division–Maloney Pacers, La Horquatta Forces, Success Village Pythons, San Juan Warriors, Valencia Heat, Maloney Old School, Prisons, Red Hill Jets. Two teams, Royal Extra Lions and Togetherness are to confirm their participation.
At least eleven teams will take part in the Men's Second Division, with Arouca Black City pending. There are seven teams confirmed in the Under-17 Boys' Division with three pending and four confirmed among the women and three pending.
The league will also host a Under-14 development programme for aspiring players. According to organisers, at least once a month and perhaps sometimes twice a month, a day-long camp will be hosted, which will open coaching sessions and follow with practical sessions and matches. The programme is free to register. Maloney Pacers and Sangre Grande All Stars are among the teams that have included an U-14 outfit for the camps.
Teams
Men's First Division�Confirmed: Pacers, Forces, Success Village Pythons, San Juan Warriors, Valencia Heat, Maloney Old School, Prisons, Red Hill Jets. Tentative: Royal Extra Lions, Togetherness.
Men's Second Division�Confirmed: Bon Air New Age, O'Meara Knights, Maloney Pacers Youth Development Programme, Valencia Heat, Coastguard, Sangre Grande Young Stars, Arima High Voltage, Colours, Arima Vintage Park Royals, Red Hill Veterans, Tobago Acers. Tentative: Arouca Black City.
Under-17 Division�Confirmed: Maloney Pacers Youth Development Programme, Stories of Success 'A', Stories of Success 'B', Sangre Grande Young Stars, YTC, Togetherness, Tigers' Youth Programme. Tentative: Tobago All Stars, Off Limits, Rick Singh Academy.
Women's Division�Confirmed: La Horquetta Colours, Tobago Star Seekers, Tunapuna Shooting Stars, Maloney Pacers. Tentative: San Fernando Quarters, Bishop's Anstey High All Stars and a visiting North Zone team.