FRED STURRUP, NG Associate Editor, frederick@nasguard.com, frobertsturrup@gmail.com

It was an event befitting the brand new top-flight basketball arena in Bimini.

The Gateway Sporting Arena was officially opened in North Bimini last week, and an exciting invitational which featured two of the country's stellar high school basketball squads, had the island jumping. The arena is the home of the Gateway High Eagles and there was a lot of enthusiasm for the host players, but Jack Hayward High and Tabernacle High out of Grand Bahama, were both a notch above the Biminites and ended up playing for the championship before a rousing crowd on Saturday night.

In a contest typical of that which can be expected from some of the best high school basketball players in the land, Jack Hayward was supreme, defeating Tabernacle 38-29, behind the exceptional slashing and athletic Most Valuable Player, Kipling Fowler.

On Sunday morning at the Bimini Airport with the victory taste still quite fresh, Coach Ivan Butler was in his element. He was in a great mood and had high praise for his senior boys and the rejuvenated basketball atmosphere in Bimini.

"First of all, we're thankful to the organizers. We were very happy for the invitation to come to the tournament. It was a new arena and we wanted to be a part of the history-making event. We lost the first game to Tabernacle, but, we feel that they know us very well and we know them equally as well. We felt that once we got back to the championship game it would be very competitive, which it was. We are happy for the win and it is good to end our season on a winning note," said Coach Butler.

Indeed the closeness of the teams was evident in the game won by Tabernacle, although characterized by a number of easy misses right at the basket by the Jack Hayward team. In that game, Tabernacle looked a bit more poised and came away the favorite in the minds of some of the spectators to rise above Gateway High and Jack Hayward to claim the big trophy. Coach Butler though, a fiery, passionate mentor, got his boys focused at the opportune time.

"Well you know... the first game of most tournaments, you really don't have your legs. Then, we were trying to get used to the new gym. The rims, an entirely new facility, the periphery of the arena... all of that played a part. It was a close game too, that first one and we knew if we got them a second time around we probably would beat them. Our boys played well, made the adjustment from the first game and rose to the occasion. Both teams are excellent and we are happy to come out on top. I'm very proud of our boys," said the coach.

He also got caught up in the aura of such an excellent facility in Bimini and he spoke to the pleasant surprise of the talent level of the Gateway team.

"It was very exciting. The level of play has picked up and we were very impressed with Gateway, the way they played. All of the teams in the tournament played well and it just makes us feel good that we won."

On hand for the tournament was Bahamas Basketball Federation President Lawrence Hepburn, continuing to be true to his pledge of paying "a lot of attention to the Family Islands" during his tenure as the country's chief basketball executive.

"This is a great part of what we are all about now. The basketball associations, the players and coaches in the Family Islands will become convinced that there is a deep interest in their development. What has happened here in Bimini is just fantastic. I give a lot of credit to Rev. Gilbert Rolle and the rest of his Gateway associates. I have always said that the islands have been left out of the mix in sports and left to fend for themselves. We will make a difference in basketball and the response has been just great. The co-operation with the federation by the basketball entities in the islands could not be greater," said President Hepburn.

An excellent partnership has in fact evolved in some cases that are feasible for the concept of sharing and in other cases, the BBF executives understand the need to provide encouragement for rebuilding programs, like Bimini.

For instance, for the recently held Inagua Invitational under the auspices of the BBF, the organizers shared the expenses and profits with the parent body. Then, in situations like Bimini this past weekend, the BBF covered its own costs to be present and supplied officials for the local organizers, thus creating an excellent court environment which resulted in a smooth tournament.

"This is what will happen during my stint. We will partner with some and work with others, and, the work never stops. From Bimini, I go to Grand Bahama to deal with a situation there," informed Hepburn.

The networking by the BBF seems to be paying off handsomely. Basketball fever was throughout Bimini on the weekend and all the signs point to a continuity of this new development phase in basketball for the island. The new style of the BBF administrative group is being watched. Coach Butler indicated as much.

"The federation needs to keep doing more in terms of young people development in basketball. More effort, time (on an ongoing basis) and money, need to be put into our junior programs. The results we will see in future years. There is new blood in the executive of the federation and it remains to be seen whether they will take on the full mandate. I know the president right now is motivated and excited. I was happy to see him and some of his executives here this weekend. That means they are committed to doing something positive and hats off to them, but only time will show exactly what kind of presidency he will have," said Coach Butler.

The forthright coach was also willing to speak to the issue of a national sports fund.

"Most definitely we need a national sports fund. We need money just for sports. In basketball for example, one time ago, we led the Caribbean. I feel like more facilities, more commitment, more/better training and yes much more funding are necessary for us to go to the next level. We have a lot of good individual players but not enough time, effort and money is being committed to them. Unless we can pull them all together, we will never be able to represent our country as best as we can. That calls for a lot of finance. I say finance (the lack thereof) is the biggest part of our problem. Unless we are committed financially to our players and the programs, we will have a long way to go to regain our status, at the very least in the Caribbean," said the coach.

Meanwhile though, the federation and stalwarts like Coach Ivan Butler continue to do the best they can.

The Bahamas Government through its Minister of State for Sports (Hon. Byran Woodside) knows what needs to be done to show that the work, sacrifices and quality world sports performances are fully appreciated by our political leaders. The Minister of Finance, the Minister of State for Finance, and the rest of the Cabinet must deliver to the people very soon now, the 2008/2009 budget.

Yes, in short order, the nation's sporting community will see where it stands on the government's list of priorities.

the host players, but Jack Hayward High and Tabernacle High out of Grand Bahama, were both a notch above the Biminites and ended up playing for the championship before a rousing crowd on Saturday night.

In a contest typical of that which can be expected from some of the best high school basketball players in the land, Jack Hayward was supreme, defeating Tabernacle 38-29, behind the exceptional slashing and athletic Most Valuable Player, Kipling Fowler.

On Sunday morning at the Bimini Airport with the victory taste still quite fresh, Coach Ivan Butler was in his element. He was in a great mood and had high praise for his senior boys and the rejuvenated basketball atmosphere in Bimini.

"First of all, we're thankful to the organizers. We were very happy for the invitation to come to the tournament. It was a new arena and we wanted to be a part of the history-making event. We lost the first game to Tabernacle, but, we feel that they know us very well and we know them equally as well. We felt that once we got back to the championship game it would be very competitive, which it was. We are happy for the win and it is good to end our season on a winning note," said Coach Butler.

Indeed the closeness of the teams was evident in the game won by Tabernacle, although characterized by a number of easy misses right at the basket by the Jack Hayward team. In that game, Tabernacle looked a bit more poised and came away the favorite in the minds of some of the spectators to rise above Gateway High and Jack Hayward to claim the big trophy. Coach Butler though, a fiery, passionate mentor, got his boys focused at the opportune time.

"Well you know... the first game of most tournaments, you really don't have your legs. Then, we were trying to get used to the new gym. The rims, an entirely new facility, the periphery of the arena... all of that played a part. It was a close game too, that first one and we knew if we got them a second time around we probably would beat them. Our boys played well, made the adjustment from the first game and rose to the occasion. Both teams are excellent and we are happy to come out on top. I'm very proud of our boys," said the coach.

He also got caught up in the aura of such an excellent facility in Bimini and he spoke to the pleasant surprise of the talent level of the Gateway team.

"It was very exciting. The level of play has picked up and we were very impressed with Gateway, the way they played. All of the teams in the tournament played well and it just makes us feel good that we won."

On hand for the tournament was Bahamas Basketball Federation President Lawrence Hepburn, continuing to be true to his pledge of paying "a lot of attention to the Family Islands" during his tenure as the country's chief basketball executive.

"This is a great part of what we are all about now. The basketball associations, the players and coaches in the Family Islands will become convinced that there is a deep interest in their development. What has happened here in Bimini is just fantastic. I give a lot of credit to Rev. Gilbert Rolle and the rest of his Gateway associates. I have always said that the islands have been left out of the mix in sports and left to fend for themselves. We will make a difference in basketball and the response has been just great. The co-operation with the federation by the basketball entities in the islands could not be greater," said President Hepburn.

An excellent partnership has in fact evolved in some cases that are feasible for the concept of sharing and in other cases, the BBF executives understand the need to provide encouragement for rebuilding programs, like Bimini.

For instance, for the recently held Inagua Invitational under the auspices of the BBF, the organizers shared the expenses and profits with the parent body. Then, in situations like Bimini this past weekend, the BBF covered its own costs to be present and supplied officials for the local organizers, thus creating an excellent court environment which resulted in a smooth tournament.

"This is what will happen during my stint. We will partner with some and work with others, and, the work never stops. From Bimini, I go to Grand Bahama to deal with a situation there," informed Hepburn.

The networking by the BBF seems to be paying off handsomely. Basketball fever was throughout Bimini on the weekend and all the signs point to a continuity of this new development phase in basketball for the island. The new style of the BBF administrative group is being watched. Coach Butler indicated as much.

"The federation needs to keep doing more in terms of young people development in basketball. More effort, time (on an ongoing basis) and money, need to be put into our junior programs. The results we will see in future years. There is new blood in the executive of the federation and it remains to be seen whether they will take on the full mandate. I know the president right now is motivated and excited. I was happy to see him and some of his executives here this weekend. That means they are committed to doing something positive and hats off to them, but only time will show exactly what kind of presidency he will have," said Coach Butler.

The forthright coach was also willing to speak to the issue of a national sports fund.

"Most definitely we need a national sports fund. We need money just for sports. In basketball for example, one time ago, we led the Caribbean. I feel like more facilities, more commitment, more/better training and yes much more funding are necessary for us to go to the next level. We have a lot of good individual players but not enough time, effort and money is being committed to them. Unless we can pull them all together, we will never be able to represent our country as best as we can. That calls for a lot of finance. I say finance (the lack thereof) is the biggest part of our problem. Unless we are committed financially to our players and the programs, we will have a long way to go to regain our status, at the very least in the Caribbean," said the coach.

Meanwhile though, the federation and stalwarts like Coach Ivan Butler continue to do the best they can.

The Bahamas Government through its Minister of State for Sports (Hon. Byran Woodside) knows what needs to be done to show that the work, sacrifices and quality world sports performances are fully appreciated by our political leaders. The Minister of Finance, the Minister of State for Finance, and the rest of the Cabinet must deliver to the people very soon now, the 2008/2009 budget.

Yes, in short order, the nation's sporting community will see where it stands on the government's list of priorities.