By BBF WRITER, For the Guardian

The Bahamas Basketball Federation (BBF) hosted Montana State University women's basketball team to a series of games against a Bahamas select team and a club team (the Truckers organization) last week. The federation believes that the games were a huge success, as they showed the local ladies how the game can be so easy once played in a systematic manner both on offense and on defense.

It was an opportunity to allow local coaches to assess the players in real competition against a high caliber opponent. In spite of the final scores, except for one, the games were pretty competitive until the last three or four minutes. Again, it showed the local team the value of learning to finish the game, play all four quarters not three and a half.

Most importantly, it was a success and beneficial to the guests, the Montana State women's team. The Coach said that she was very pleased with the games, since it allowed them to work on a number of aspects of the game offensively and defensively as well as it being a good bonding time for the team.

On the heels of this, the federation will be hosting the University of New Mexico men's basketball team to a series of games beginning this Saturday at the Kendal G.L. Isaacs National Gymnasium. The games are as follows: Saturday May 26 - Visitors vs. Bahamas select team at 7 p.m.; Sunday May 27 - Visitors vs. Bahamas select team at 6 p.m.; Tuesday May 29 - Visitors vs. Sunshine Auto Ruff Ryders at 7:30 p.m.; and Wednesday May 30 - Visitors vs. Commonwealth Bank Giants at 7:30 p.m. All games will be played at the Kendal Isaacs gym.

Coincidentally, New Mexico is the school where local star Jeffrey Henfield just transferred from. He will be playing on the select team and is excited about playing against his former college team. Also playing on the select squad would likely be (depending on the coaches' decisions): Gjio Bain; Jaraun 'Keno' Burrows; Ian 'Wire' Pinder; Jeremy Hutchinson; Nelson Joseph; Jean Rony Cadeau; Horatio Poitier; and coming out of Freeport would be Quinton 'Three Ounce' Hall; Rashad Moss; Scott Forbes; Marvin Grey; Clementy Martin; and Boman Mullings. Others might be selected depending on what the coaches deem appropriate.

The federation wishes to make it clear that this is not the national team and that it is simply a select team assembled to participate in these exhibition games. This should in no way discourage any player interested in trying out for the national team from attending practices.

The federation is in the view that these games will be very exciting. The BBF is inviting the public to come out and watch the games. They are also sending a special invitation to all basketball coaches and players of all levels to come out, as this will be a great opportunity for them to experience a high level of basketball and to meet the players and coaches.