The Sentence Planning Team at Her Majesty’s Prison (HMP), in collaboration with the Anguilla Amateur Basketball Association (AABA) and the Department of Sports, was pleased to host its fifth annual Basketball Tournament from June 7th – 9th 2017 at the prison’s basketball court. This event is part of ongoing efforts by HMP towards the rehabilitation of inmates by providing a range of opportunities for constructive recreation in the form of sports and social activities; fostering team spirit and promoting cooperation with others – all skills which they can transfer and use in the community upon release. The tournament was preceded by an official opening ceremony with brief remarks made by Recreational Officer Jennifer Cordice, Acting Sports Director Mr. Rollins Richardson and President of the AABA Ms. Lisa Rey.
National players provided by the AABA participated in a keenly contested best of three tournament against the HMP Wheelers. To the disappointment of the HMP Wheelers, the AABA team won the first two games 88:56 and 97:85. A friendly All-Star game was played on day three as the AABA players mixed with the HMP Wheelers for an exciting last game. This was followed by a three point shoot-out competition which was won by Alexis Connor of the HMP Wheelers for the third year in a row. Alexis also captured the title of ‘Most Disciplined Player.’
During the presentation ceremony three M.V.P. awards were given: Overall M.V.P. of the tournament, All-star game M.V.P and Home Team M.V.P. Ricardo Richardson from the AABA team stole the show as he walked away with the title of Overall M.V.P. of the tournament, as well as four other coveted trophies (Most Assists, Most Blocks, Most Steals and Most Rebounds).
The All-Star game M.V.P was Claushaun Richardson, and Home Team M.V.P was Javelle Carty.
Delano Mussington, Programme Officer for the Department of Sports, stated that “the games were played in great spirits and were very competitive. The talents displayed by the inmates were exceptional. Although they lost the first 2 games, they played their hearts out. The final game on Friday was an all-star game in which the teams were mixed. In the three-point shootout, although the finals featured 2 members of the outside team vs 1 HMP player, the inmate managed to beat them both to capture his 3 point championship for a third consecutive time. Players from the AABA were eager to compete in the games and always look forward to participating.”
The Department of Sports pledges to continue to promote sports for all in accordance to their strategic plan, and will continue to assist HMP with its annual basketball tournament.
Shariffa Wallace, Rehabilitation & Development Coordinator at HMP, congratulated the AABA team on their win and said, “Every year I am pleased to see how the collaborative efforts of many people create this event and the competitive spirit that thrives within it. This tournament fulfils its rehabilitative objectives on many levels and I am grateful for the community support and interest that it receives.’
Recreational Officer in the Sentence Planning Unit and Coordinator of the tournament, Jennifer Cordice, said, “Over the past years we have seen the growth of this tournament and how it has impacted the behavior of the inmates in a positive manner. Both teams are to be commended for a highly competitive and engaging tournament and for demonstrating a high standard of talent and skills, excellent sportsmanship, mutual respect and discipline. We are grateful to our sponsors and all those who assisted in making the tournament a success. Special thanks are also given to the referees, Cecil Chin and Carl Thomas, Lydia Dascent of the Anguilla Red Cross, and Prison Officers Devon George & Nigel Kendall and Prison Chaplain Bishop Bernard Joseph for their contributions and assistance.”
The continued success of the HMP basketball tournament is largely due to the generosity of the faithful funding local sponsors as follows:- Tackle Box, ANGLEC, Apex Utilities, FLOW, J. W. Proctors, Unique Supermarket, Tropical Distributors, English Rose Restaurant, Keene Enterprises Ltd, ABC Supplies, Pham A’Alma Sea Food Company, The Department of Youth and Culture, Tropical Treats, CAN Engineering/Ms. Denecia Niles, The Anguilla Red Cross. Other more recent sponsors include Four Seasons Resort and Residences Anguilla, Anguilla Community College, Prestige Beauty Shop, Turtle’s Nest Beach Resort, Limin Supermarket, The Big Store & Cuisinart Golf Resort & Spa.
