The Wolves
came into the current youth league with a lot of motivation. The side lost in
the championship game last year and saw its best player go overseas for school.
So far in the
2010 Appleby Under-19 Basketball League the green team has handled those issues
well. After two impressive wins in the opening week, focus now seems to be on
whether or not the Wolves can go undefeated.
Their first
step towards that feat is on Monday 8 November when the side faces John Gray
high school. The match is at 7.30pm in the Sir Vassel Johnson Hall of the University
College of the Cayman Islands. John Gray are a relative unknown after just
playing their delayed season opener.
Meanwhile the
Wolves bring a lot of known assets to the table. For starters the Wolves
continue to boast two-time national coach of the year Duran ‘Trini’ Whittaker”
on the sidelines. On the floor though Tikko Moore is off to California for
college, a number of talents remain in place. Among them are Aaron Kennedy,
Raheim Robinson and Ben Stoner; all of which figured prominently in the opening
contests. Against Future Sports Club, Robinson led the way with 17 points (including
two treys), four rebounds and four steals.
In the squad’s
signature win against reigning champions the Shockwaves of JM International
Ltd, Robinson again was top scorer with 24 points (two three-pointers), nine
steals and four rebounds. On that occasion though he got help from Kennedy and
Stoner as they combined for 17 rebounds, nine steals and eight points.
Stoner, 17,
stated in passing that on this year’s team his priority is on defensive hustle.
“I’m not too worried about my shot,” Stoner said. “I’m focused on defence this
year.”
Aside from the
returning players, a number of new recruits are worthy of note. Peter Grant
takes over the point guard duties after coming up the ranks in the U16
competition. Oswald Prehay has a similar background to Grant and is known for
his shooting. Arguably the biggest addition, both in stature and skill, is
Neith Rheingold. The year 13 Triple C student starred in last year’s U19 league
for a team called the Playmakers.
Rheingold, who
turned 18 last Wednesday, has put up good numbers. He had 16 points and 15
rebounds in game one and 11 points and 13 rebounds against the Shockwaves. The
sixth form student states he is happy to be on the Wolves and taking on the
Shockwaves this season carries extra meaning for him.
“It was a last
minute decision to join the Wolves,” Rheingold said. “It’ll be interesting to
face my former team-mate Jordan Cacho, who is now with the Shockwaves. The
Wolves are a good team and it’s great to be part of the team.”
Meanwhile the
Shockwaves look to rebound from their loss against the Wolves. They will be in
action this evening as well when they battle the Reapers at 6pm. It will be interesting
to see how the side copes without Jordan Cacho, who missed the last game due to
surgery on his leg and will not return for a few weeks.
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