T&T basketballers will be aiming to better their fourth place finish at the 2010 Women's Centrobasket Championships, when they take the court at the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games in Mayag�ez, Puerto Rico today. The women's basketball tournament ends on Friday. The national women will begin their quest for the gold medals against the US Virgin Islands in the first match of the tournament at Arquelio Torres Ramirez Coliseum in San German at 1 pm.
The T&T team which had its best Centrobasket finish, will consider its self a bit unlucky following its 62-59 semifinal loss at the hands of regional rivals Jamaica, which claimed the runners-up position.
Jamaica which also recorded its best placing, fell to the eventual champion and host Puerto Rico in the gold medal match. T&T which played with eight players at the tournament, lost to Puerto Rico but won against Guatemala and St Vincent and the Grenadines in Group B.
Meanwhile, the team has been boosted by four players, forwards Leslie Bacquain, Nicole Sparks and Fanta Patterson and centre Chrissan Petrovaine, all of whom did not have visas to travel to the Centrobasket Championship.
However, the team will still be hamstrung since centre Ayanna Phillip has returned to the USA because of work commitment and forward Rhonda John-Davis will sever ties with squad tomorrow to join the national netball team which will leave for St Lucia at midweek for the Americas qualifying tournament.
Teams
Group A: Puerto Rico, T&T, St. Vincent & US Virgin Islands.
Group B: Guatemala, Jamaica, Mexico & Dominican Republic.
T&T TEAM:
Rhea Codio, Jowan Ortega, Rhonda John-Davis, Leslie Bacquain, Nicole Sparks, Sharmion Selman, Alicia Liverpool, Chrissan Petrovaine, Jonee Billy, Tiffani Williams, Fanta Patterson.
Ozell Wells (Head coach)
Pietra Gay (Assistant Coach)
Barry Stewart (Trainer)
Caroline Daniel-Smith (Team Manager)
